Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Roland Product Launch, Paris, 9th September - Franceby Harley Jones |
On the 9th September, Roland will unveil 30+ new products in a series of dedicated launches in various worldwide cities. Rumour has it that a new V Accordion will be unveiled during the Paris launch event. Tune into the live broadcast from the Eiffel Tower, Paris at 18:00 CET on the 9th of September when all will be revealed. Roland writes: ‘The Future. Redefined’ is a 24-hour online event unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Streaming live from eight iconic cities across the world (Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Berlin and Brussels), we’ll be unveiling the new generation of Roland electronic instruments in real-time. Roland’s 24-hour “must-watch” online music festival fuses liveliness and diversity with artist performances, new product debuts, and interviews, spanning multiple times zones from major cities around the world. What does the future of musical instruments sound like? Don’t miss it. Wherever you are, it’s free to watch all over the world on the dedicated website – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/PG8m95Hty9b |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention 2016 – A Grand Success!by Paul Pasquali Event Organizer |
The Las Vegas International Accordion Convention took place in August 2016. Paul Pasquali was the Event Organizer. People attended from all over the USA, Canada and other countries including Australia, UK, France, and Mexico. Full report with photos by Paul Pasquali at: 2016LVIAC Please mark your calendar for the 18th Annual LVIAC which will be from October 23-26, 2017. See AccordionStars.com for more information. |
Full Guardia Nueva Concert Featured on Alfa TV - Finlandby Raimo Vertainen, Kokkola Accordion Festival Director |
Alfa TV of Finland, on 31st August at 20.30 pm featured popular tango orchestra Guardia Nueva in a full concert broadcast that ALFA TV recorded during the Kokkola Accordion Festival in Finland, earlier this year. The international reputation of Guardia Nueva conducted since inception by Musical Director Raimo Vertainen (picture right), has grown in recent years with the addition of dazzling soloists and well known vocalists. View all the superb concert on ALFA TV website. www.alphatv.gr We thank ALFA TV for the videos supplied for this news article. |
Prof. Li Cong Develops the Shanghai Xuanjing Art Center - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Prof. Li Cong, is the founder of the new Shanghai Xuanjing Art Center, Vice-President of Shanghai Musicians Association and the former Dean of Music College of Shanghai Normal University (2008 to 2015). Chinese website: www.xuanjingart.com English Information: Xuanjing-English Prof. Li Cong has also been has been leading the development of the Xuanjing Art Center, for young students and training teachers. This is a creative project for private music tuition located on the 2nd floor, Kai Yue Building, central Shanghai. The facility of over 1,200 square meters features a spacious building, beautifully decorated to be attractive for young people and parents. The Xuanjing Art Center opened in March 2016 and in a few months, the center has attracted over 600 pupils with a second venue in the advanced planning stages for opening in 2017. Every detail has been considered to enhance the education of young people and training facilities for teachers. The Xuanjing Art Center has free 2 hour car parking for parents and the 20 modern soundproof teaching rooms contain a host of advanced teaching equipment. The two larger teaching areas combine to become a 100 seat concert venue with full lighting and sound facilities. New ideas include a video monitor system for teaching room so that parents in the waiting room may view the lessons of their childeren and other students while they wait. The same video system enables the lessons of training teachers to be monitored and reviewed by the Elite Teachers to ensure rapid teacher training advancement and development. Chinese website: www.xuanjingart.com English Information: Xuanjing-English |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Opening Concert, 2016 Tacheng Accordion Festival - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Two performances from the Opening Concert of the 2016 Tacheng Accordion Festival. Video 1. Guest performer Tan Jia Liang (China) Video 2. Guest performer Iosif Purits (Russia) The full report of the 2016 Tacheng Accordion Festival including the 1,517 acccordionists Guiness World Record plus pictures and videos of all the festival is online at: 2016Tacheng |
Ruben Cittadini, New "Assessore alla cultura al turismo" for Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Ruben Cittadini, is the new councilor for culture, tourism, equal opportunities and youth policy of the political group "5 stelle" for the City of Castelfidardo for the next five years. His appointment to this position will continue the work of spreading and promoting the musical instrument - the accordion, a symbol of the Marche region history and manufacturing. For the upcoming PIF 2016 Castelfidardo (22 to 25 September), his main task has been to coordinate the work carried out by the leaving city administration and to actively participate in the promotion, enhancement and management of the 2016 PIF International Prize of Accordion. PIF 2016 Castelfdardo sees as Artistic Director the important accordionist Christian Riganelli who is coordinating all the competitions and concerts. Ruben Cittadini, 41, father of two children has always been a lover of music that accompanied him from an early age with a past rich in academic and professional experiences. He has a degree in Tourism Economics, from the Faculty of Rimini, a branch of Bologna, a first-level master in "Culture and Management of live entertainment" funded through a grant from the European study won in 2003. Professionally, he has worked as an event organizer and festivals talent scout for some labels and recording studios, DJ and a music researcher and cultural worker. In recent years he has specialized in web design, new technologies and management systems (ISO). He says: "Working for Castelfidardo and its citizens, fills him with pride and he is happy to contribute together with the community, all his experience and passion." The PIF 2016 festival will set up some so-called "Sound Corners", sound angles, 5/6 spaces including the "Porta Marina" and the city square being seen by a colored semi-circles designed on the ground pavement. This stems from the idea to highlight Castelfidardo as a city of music and culture. The project is mainly dedicated to musicians and especially accordionists but this space can be used by any type of artist who wants to perform and will remain active throughout the year. Ruben Cittadini has other projects for the accordion already in the works and with the support of the Marche region, looks forward to the future developments. |
Video: Prize Giving, 2016 Harbin International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video of prize winners Milos Katanic, 1st Performer category and Wang Xiao, 1st entertainment category performing at the Prize Giving Concert of the 2016 Harbin International Accordion Art Week. Video of both these performers playing a round of their programs is in the Daily Reports. The full report of the Prize Giving Concert with pictures and videos is online at: 2016Harbin |
Lou Jacklich 88th Birthday, Students Celebrate Accordionly - USAby Pamela Tom |
Students of Lou Jacklich, veteran performer, teacher, music arranger, band director, and electronic accordion pioneer artist of San Lorenzo, California (4th from the left in the photo) celebrated his 88th birthday a few days ago with an accordion birthday potluck party. Lou Jacklich’s career has been dedicated to the profession of the accordion and teaching over 1,000 students. He has toured the US and Mexico and was honored with the Art Van Damme Education Award at the 2016 Las Vegas Int’l Accordion Convention. In addition to food, wine and beer, students provided the accordion entertainment: as background music, strolling during the meal, performing solos, duets, and playing during the cake presentation. There was also a jam session with occasional singing. Some students brought music to share while others learnt to improvise when as the chords were announced - It turned out that ¼ jar of nuts makes a great makeshift rumba shaker! This was an afternoon filled with music, fun, friendship, laughter and love of our instructor. eTracks (mp3) album availble online at: Lou Jacklich |
Grayson Masefield, 2nd part of Tralf Concert, 2016 AAA Festival - USAby Dan Grauman |
Grayson Masefield, 2nd part of Tralf Concert, 2016 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Festival, USA. Thank you to Dan Grauman for supplying the video. |
Video: Astor Piazzolla - Milonga sin Palabras / Kokoro Duo - Austriaby Harley Jones |
The Kokoro Duo of Isabel Yuri (cello) & Miloš Katanic (accordion) perform Milonga sin Palabras by Astor Piazzolla. Published on Aug 25, 2016. Video & editing: Hamidreza Jamali. |
Future events |
Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon, Québec – Canadaby Rob Howard |
The 28th annual Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon takes place in Montmagny, Québec, from September 1st to 5th. This large scale festival celebrates all styles of accordion music from manouche swing to classical pieces to the colourful rhythms of world music, offering many concerts, conferences, exhibits, children's activities, accordion museum, and evening dances. This year’s guests include the Paris-Moscow Duo (Domi Emorine & Roman Jbanov, France/Russia), Petar Maric (Serbia), Jelena Milojevic (Croatia), Roberto Lucanero (Italy), Anatoli Taran (Belorusse), Antoine Pigeon-Bourque, Nathalie Boucheix (France), Marie-Jeanne Brousseau, Georges Camitsis, Sébastien Clermont, Daniel Colin (France), Claire Elzière and Dominique Cravic, Raynald Ouellet, Bruno Gendron, Benoît Legault, Normand Legault, Gaston Nolet, Valérie Plante, Gerry Virone, and many more. |
Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle Club 1st Season, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
The new Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle Club opens its doors on Sunday September 4th, 2pm until 6pm, with the Glencraig Scottish Dance Band and the Alastair McCuish Scottish Dance Band as their first guests. The club will be based at the St Mary’s Club Rooms, 70 Bannatyne St, Lanark ML11 7JS, Scotland. Admission £4, floor players free. For further information email: shirley_cathcart@yahoo.co.uk |
Akkordeon-Orchester Festival, Korbach – Germanyby Rob Howard |
An Akkordeon-Orchester Festival takes place this weekend, September 3rd and 4th, at the Stadthalle in Korbach, Germany. The orchestras performing include the 60 Jahre Akkordeon-Orchester Diemelspatzen e.V., the and the Akkordeon-Orchester Diemel Spatzen e.V.,11 Akkordeon-Orchester from Baden-Württemberg, Nordhein-Westfalen and Hessen. There are concerts on Saturday September 3rd, 3pm and 8pm, and on Sunday September 4th, at 10.30am – all in the Stadthalle. Admission: 8 Euro for one concert, 14 Euro for two concerts, or 20 Euro for all three concerts. For further information email: hans.petersen@gmx.de |
Eddy Jay & Will Pound ‘Ignite’ Autumn Tour Dates, England - UKby Rob Howard |
The dynamic accordion/harmonica duo Eddy Jay & Will Pound are performing dates around various parts of England in September and October, as displayed on the poster. The duo’s first CD, ‘Ignite’, received great reviews, and showcases their original and fiery music to best effect. The tour is a promotion for the CD. |
Natalya Chesnova ‘A Montmartre Ce Soir!’ Concert, Bergamo - Italyby Rob Howard |
Milan-based Belorussian accordionist Natalya Chesnova and vocalist Mireille Le Ben perform a programme of French songs in concert on Thursday September 8th, 9pm, at Casa di Pioggia, Bergamo, Italy. The concert is styled ‘A Montmartre Ce Soir!’ Natalya Chesnova, now based in Milan, Italy, graduated from the Minsk Conservatory, Belorus, in 2004. She then worked as an accordion teacher in Minsk and as an accompanist for choreographers and dance teachers. Natalya was a member of the ensemble ‘Novyi Gorod’, who in 2001 obtained 3rd place in the competition ‘Golden Accordion’ in New York, 1st place at the International Competition in Castelfidardo, and performed dozens of concerts in all the states of the former Soviet Union, South Korea, Poland, Germany and Italy, and played in many broadcasts on radio and TV in Belarus. On 2004 Natalya moved to Italy, where she married the singer Nicola Portonato, and is in demand for concerts, teaching, etc. For further information email: info@natalyachesnova.com |
Alte Kameraden @ Laconia Multicultural Festival, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
On Saturday September 10th the trio Alte Kameraden perform at the annual Laconia (NH) Multicultural Festival, an event celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Laconia and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The trio will perform under the gazebo at Rotary Park in two time slots: 10.30-11am and 11.30am-12noon. The public is invited to attend. Alte Kameraden seeks to recreate die Gemütlichkeit – that indescribable experience of comfort, good humor, warm ambiance, and boisterous conviviality – found in Bierhallen (beer halls) throughout Germany. Alte Kameraden line up: Al Brogdon – tuba, Donna Maria Regis – accordion, Doug Rickard - banjo/guitar/vocals – have performed traditional German folk-music throughout New Hampshire, including at the State House and on TV. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
‘Homage to Gus Viseur’ Accordion Festival, Lessines – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
An ‘Homage to Gus Viseur’ Accordion Festival takes place on Sunday September 11th, 11am until 7pm, at the Cour de l’ Hopital Notre Dame a la Rose, Rue des Fils Aymon, 21-7860, Lessines, Belgium. Guest accordionists include Armand Gerard, Erika Honorez, Patricia Crolbois, Anthony Basilico, Guy Denys, and Jo Destre. Gus Viseur (1915-74), born in Belgium, in the 1930s became one of the leading accordionists in the musette scene then flourishing in Paris. He had a love of playing jazz on the accordion, and occasionally performed and recorded with Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and in the post-war years also played bebop. He also accompanied Edith Piaf. |
Charity Fund Raising Event, Carlow – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
On Tuesday September 13th, 10pm-12.30am, accordionist Declan Aungier and the singer Liam Mannering share the bill playing for dancing in a charity fund raising event at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Rd, Carlow. |
New and Updated Sites |
New Site: Lars Ek Original Compositions - Swedenby Lars Ek |
Lars Ek, composer, arranger, performer and teacher of Sweden has now released his original compositions on the MusicForAccordion.com site. See samples of the music and further information at: ek121 - Jag Vill Ha Mer Harmoni ek122 - Jularbogladje ek123 - Kalvsviksvalsen ek124 - Karlekstankar ek125 - Livets Gondol ek126 - Life Lottery ek127 - Langtans Hamn ek128 - Latta Fingrar ek129 - Marching tune from Tallberg ek130 - Marianne Marie ek203 - Lars Ek Special 3: The Shortcut to Playing and the Bellows - Technique for The Accordion. 24 pages. During the years I have noticed a growing need of a ”shortcut” to perfected technique because of the long time it takes to study the conventional way. That’s the reason why I have created this book of technique for accordions. This is no treatise, but a ”shortcut” to improved playing skills by practicing what is the most effective at the shortest of time. |
Updated Site: Franco Cambareri Two New Works Released - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
Franco Cambareri has released two new compositions: cfranco212 - Discotango Discotango is a popular Disco Piece of Music with a suitable style for the young and old. cfranco213 - A Romantic Autumn A Romantic Autumn is a piece of music that reminds me of an afternoon walk amongst the beautiful trees and country side, surrounded by peace and nature. These works are eSheet (pdf file, able to be emailed to you) and can be purchased online with secure server credit card. |
Chapter 20 Released of "Play Your Accordion Without Pain" - USAby Harley Jones |
John Bonica PT CMP NZRP has released Chapter 20 of his book "Play Your Accordion Without Pain". Chapter 20 details "Other arm/hand conditions which affect playing your accordion." You can purchase the whole book for US$22 (or Euro equivalent) and be sent each chapter by email as it is released. This is an ebook so it will be sent to you as as Acrobat pdf. Further details about this book is at: John Bonica |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |