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Highlights |
‘Accordions Rising’ Film documentaire de Roberta Cantow – USA
PIF 2015 Accordi[on)] String pour les étudiants en composition des conservatoires - Italie
Reportage quotidiens/vidéo : les vainqueurs des championnats d’accordéon du Pacifique sud 2015 – Nouvelle Zélande
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Renato Borghetti & Arthur Bonilla Live at BRG, Rohrbach - Austria,Charles Kennedy Accordion Story, Scotland – UKVideo: 4 Years Anniversary, Frank Marocco & Daniele di Bonaventura - ItalyAnthony Carrozza (1931-2015), New York – USAVideo: Festival Performances, 2015 South Pacific Accordion Championships - New ZealandVideo: Martin Lubenov, Sofia - BulgariaHistoric Video: Voninho e Marcelo - Brazil‘14 Years Ago’: Gary Blair heads to the Middle East in May 2001
Future events |
French Musette Workshop @ Brooklyn Accordion Club, New York – USA‘Bellows Across Borders’ Accordion Bands Concert, London – UK26th Annual Accordion Kings and Queens Festival, Texas - USAHoverla Folk-Rock Concerts – PolandPaolo Bertoli Dance Gigs List – ItalyAlasdair MacLeod SDB @ Blairgowrie A & F Club, Scotland – UKAccordion Pops Orchestra Summer Concerts, Pennsylvania, Virginia – USAVideo: Beoga Concert, Manchester – UKMartina Schwarz @ London´s best German brunch!, London – UKNihad Hrustanbegovic ‘Four Seasons’ Concert, Amsterdam – Netherlands Rob HowardAAA Festival Luncheon Concert to Feature Washington Area Musicians - USA
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: New eBook Released, Italian Spectacular Arranged by Gary Dahl - USAUpdated Site: Marco Lo Russo New CD, Biography and Pictures Updates - Italy
CD Reviews |
CD Review: L'armonica a mantice di Giuseppe GreggiatiHelp Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Concerts de la Coupe Mondiale 2015, Turku - Finlandeby Minna Plihtari |
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 Les concerts de la Coupe Mondiale 2015 ont été annoncés. Les billets sont disponibles en ligne à : http://bookings.coupemondiale2015.fi/en/Mardi 6 octobre 19:00 - 21:00 Concert d’ouverture de la Coupe Mondiale - The Finnish Youth Accordion Ensemble, dirigé par Janne Valkeajoki. - Maria Kalaniemi & Timo Alakotila Mercredi 7 Octobre 2015 19:00 - 21:00 Kimmo Pohjonen. Jeudi 08 Octobre 2015 19:00 - 21:00 Guardia Nueva Tango Orchestra dirigé par Raimo Vertainen et les solistes Jonna Pirttijoki (voix) et Teemu Roivainen (bandonéon). Vendredi 09 Octobre 19:00 - 21:00 Mika Väyrynen (Finlande). L’un des accordéonistes classiques les plus en vue. Mika Väyrynen jouera un program solo d’œuvres de Bach, Grieg, Sallinen, Korpijaakko ainsi que la première mondiale de the Mephisto Maze composé par Veli Kujala. Samedi 10 octobre 19:00 - 21:00 – Les gagnants de toutes les catégories de la Coupe Mondiale et cérémonie de clôture. Ecoutez le meilleur de la Coupe Mondiale 2015, les candidats en concert. Les billets sont disponibles en ligne à : http://bookings.coupemondiale2015.fi/en/ |
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‘Accordions Rising’ Film documentaire de Roberta Cantow – USAby Roberta Cantow |
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 Le documentaire Accordions Rising est l’objet de la campagne de levée de fonds Indiegogo dans laquelle en plus du film ci-dessus, un autre série de clips est à voir avec William Schimmel, Nicole Renaud et Guy Klucevsek, et tout ça alors que je n’ai pas encore sorti le film !Ceci est un appel à agir. J’ai vraiment besoin de votre soutien. Merci d’envisager un don pour cette levée de fond dont j’ai besoin pour mener ce projet à bien. Avec mes remerciements, Roberta Cantow, réalisatrice. Notre correspondante aux USA Rita Barnea écrit : « Roberta Cantow s’est beaucoup investie dans ce projet depuis quelques années. J’ai vu des extraits du film et je pense qu’il est génial. Par conséquent, j’espère que vous la soutiendrez tous dans son appel de fonds pour mener à bien le projet, c’est là : Accordions Rising Documentary |
PIF 2015 Accordi[on)] String pour les étudiants en composition des conservatoires - Italieby Harley Jones |
 Accordi[on)] String est une catégorie spéciale pour les étudiants des conservatoires en classe d’accordéon et composition.Dans le cadre de la tradition qui à fait du PIF une rampe de lancement pour de nombreux artistes, Accordi[on)] String a été créé pour promouvoir la composition et encourager l’écriture pour accordéon et quatuor à cordes. Durée maximale de la composition : 7 mn. A envoyer à info@pifcastelfidardo avant le 30 juin 2015. Il est prévu que le quatuor à cordes de la London Royal Academy of Music, qui sera un invité de Castelfidardo, interprète la composition retenue. Plus de détails pour ce concours de composition du PIF 2015, en italien, anglais et chinois à : 2015PIF |
Reportage quotidiens/vidéo : les vainqueurs des championnats d’accordéon du Pacifique sud 2015 – Nouvelle Zélandeby Heather Masefield |
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 Video 1: le champion d’accordéon classique du pacifique sud 2015 est Patrick Liu (Nouvelle Zélande), il joue Zigeunerweisen (Airs bohémiens) de Pablo de Sarasate.Video 2: le champion d’accordéon variété du pacifique sud 2015 est Zhandong Yao (China) qui joue La Piermazurka. Le champion d’accordéon moins de 12 ans 2015 est Angela Chen (Nouvelle Zélande). Des reportage quotidiens sur les championnats d’accordéon du Pacifique sud et Nouvelle Zélande 2015 – photos et vidéos sont en ligne ici : 2015SouthPac |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Harley Jones
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| Renato Borghetti & Arthur Bonilla Live at BRG, Rohrbach, Austria, April 2015. |
by Rob Howard
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 Scottish accordionist Iain MacDonald (picture top left) relates the following fond memory of the late former Liberal Democrats leader Charles Kennedy (picture lower left):“I like many others was shocked to hear the news today of his passing. I thought I would share a personal story. On the morning of the devastating fire that burnt down McTavish’s Kitchen, Fort William, in 2006, I was standing on the High Street watching the fire brigade bring the blaze under control. I had been playing at the Scottish show in McTavish’s the previous night alongside fiddle player Ian Kennedy, Charles's dad. My accordion was still inside the burning building although I had pointed out to the fire service there was a chance it may have been in a part of it not directly affected by the immediate inferno. They told me there was no chance and just to claim of my insurance. Charles, who I had been talking to at the time, saw my upset reaction and said if there was a chance it could be there he would try his best to ask the fire chief if it was safe for the men to try and retrieve it as the sentimental value was far more than the monetary value. He added "Don't worry Iain, if it’s there and they won’t get it we'll bloody well go in ourselves". He stood with me for hours haranguing every fire officer he could see until he managed to engage with the fire chief who finally relented. George Smith and I were eventually reunited with our slightly wet but un-damaged accordions. For that reason I am indebted to him as I still play that accordion I bought 26 years ago!! R.I.P. Charles Kennedy, a real Highland Gentleman!!" Charles Kennedy (1959-2015) was the Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2006 and was a Member of Parliament from 1983 to 2015, most recently for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency. He died suddenly on June 1st 2015 at the age of 55. |
by Joan Grauman Morse
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Video 2:
| These videos have just been publicly released by Dan Grauman for the 4 year anniversary of the concert which was filmed by Dan Grauman in 2011. Joan Grauman writes: "I had to pinch myself often. Were we really here in this picture-perfect place with the spectacular views of the Italian countryside and the Adriatic Sea? Were we really walking up the hill on that gorgeous warm evening, past the incredible fragrances from the Linden blossoms and the jasmine up to that spectacular old church where Frank and Daniele were preparing to perform for us? I looked behind me and saw so many of my close friends following us up the hill. This was the greatest trip of my life. I made myself live it in slow motion so that I would appreciate every single minute. This concert was just about as perfect as it gets. Daniele and Frank had just recorded their premiere CD, “Two For the Road” and this was going to be their CD release concert. It would be held on the first day of our accordion orchestra camp, named for the camp my husband and I directed for Frank Marocco in Arizona. This one was called, “Frank Marocco Accordion Event, European Edition”. As we were walking out of the Hotel Parco, my husband Dan grabbed his video camera. He would tape, if the musicians were OK with it. Thankfully, they were. These two musical giants played with such warmth and talent – a night none of us will ever forget. Frank Marocco was just beginning to feel the effects of the metal poisoning that would take his life exactly nine months later. We were so fortunate to be with him that week in Castelfidardo. It was pure magic from start to finish. He loved being with all of us, and we loved being with him. We still miss him so much." |
by Rob Howard
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 Accordionist, pianist and teacher Anthony Carrozza died on May 9th. He performed professionally for many years, taught at his Carrozza Music Studio, and served on the Board of the American Accordionists’ Association.In the 1960s he founded and conducted the Carrozza Accordion Orchestra, which competed successfully in American Accordionists’ Association competitions, becoming champions many times. The Carrozza Accordion Orchestra gave many concert performances, including appearing at Carnegie Hall. Anthony Carrozza gave accordion and piano lessons until Parkinson’s disease overtook him. Born on April 6th 1931, Anthony Carrozza was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary and St. John Church in Chappaqua, New York. He was very much a family man. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Domenica (Mimma) Carrozza, brother Patrick Carrozza, and sister, Jean Ciccone, and nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his famous concert accordionist brother Carmen Carrozza (1921-2013). Anthony graduated from the Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY, in 1951 and pursued his love of cars by working at the Ford dealer in Pleasantville, NY. He then served in the US Army for 2 years and upon his discharge he followed his musical talent with the accordion and piano. |
by Heather Masefield
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Video 2:
| Two Festival Performances: Video 1: The Auckland Accordion Symphonietta conducted by Lionel Reekie performing 'Retro-Mix' (medley of Star Wars, Axel-F, Africa and The Final Countdown). Video 2: Festival guest artist Jiancheng Xue (Alex) from China performing Italian Polka. Daily Reports of the 2015 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships & Festival including results, photos and video are online at: 2015SouthPac |
by Harley Jones
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| Martin Lubenov's Jazzta Prasta Live at Sofia performing French Affair. Video released Dec 20, 2013. |
by Harley Jones
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| One of the great accordion videos from Brazil. Voninho e Marcelo - Desafio de Sanfonas (Araponga e Eramada). This was uploaded on May 5, 2009 and enjoyed nearly 2 million viewers. |
by Rob Howard
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 The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending June 1st 2001 included mention of Scottish accordionist Gary Blair performing for a ceilidh in Kuwait. The well-travelled Gary Blair has taken his lively, toe tapping music to many countries around the world, and is always a most welcome visitor wherever he takes his accordion.Accordionist Entertains at Caledonian Ball – Kuwait Accordionist Gary Blair toured Kuwait (Middle East) from May 28th to 31st, performing at a ceilidh held to celebrate the Kuwait Caledonians Ball. This event was held in Kuwait City. |
Future events |
by Rob Howard
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 Brooklyn Accordion Club’s next meeting will be on Sunday June 14th, 2pm until 4pm. All are welcome. Admission: $3 to $5.2pm-3pm - Performance: Mary Knapp, Mayumi, Denise, and more! (Please email if you would like to perform a piece or two!) 3pm-4pm - Participatory workshop ‘French Musette: Decoded’ by Tony Kovatch - Bring Your Own Accordion/The workshop is open for all levels. The pieces to be played during the workshop are ‘Mon Amant de St Jean’ and ‘Valse Chinoise’. Email for the music. If you need a music stand, please bring one. Brooklyn Accordion Club meets at 61 Local, 61 Bergen St., Brooklyn, New York. For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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 ‘Bellows Across Borders’ is a concert featuring the London Accordion Orchestra (MD Ian Watson) and the visiting Wiesbaden Accordion Orchestra, from Germany. This takes place on Saturday June 6th, 7.30pm, at St Gabriel’s Church, Warwick Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 2AD.The Wiesbaden Accordion Orchestra’s programme includes Handel’s ‘Royal Fireworks Suite’ and Saint Saens’ ‘Danse Macabre’. The London Accordion Orchestra will perform Gotz’s ‘Rhapsodie Andalusia’ and a unique collaboration with top saxophonist Christian Forshaw. LAO was previously known as the Morley Accordion Orchestra, founded in 1999. In 2013 they performed at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck, Austria, and in 2014 changed their name to the London Accordion Orchestra. For further information email: mail@londonao.co.uk |
by Rob Howard
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 Texas Folklife’s annual festival concert celebrating the state’s accordion roots music takes place on Saturday June 6th, 7pm, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston. The event will feature stars and legends in polka, Cajun zydeco, and conjunto. This is a free concert and also features Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs’ CD Release Party.Special concert guests include Flaco Jiménez, Jerome Batiste and the Zydeko Players, Debra Peters and the Love Saints, and the 2015 Big Squeeze Champions - Elizabeth Kelley (Cajun/Zydeco), Brandon Hodde (Polka), and Rito Peña (Conjunto). Los Texmaniacs’ members are Max Baca on bajo sexto, Josh Baca on accordion, Noel Hernandez on electric bass, and Daniel Martinez on the drums. It will be a special night as the new Texmaniacs CD, ‘Americano Groove’, will be released. The album features guest musicians including accordionist David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Steve Berlin, and Augie Meyers. It's a mix of five traditional conjunto tracks, three country tracks, and four others that blur genres between rock and TexMex. “We are very much looking forward to this year’s Accordion Kings and Queens Festival,” said Executive Director Cristina Ballí. “The concert was started with the idea of promoting the accordion and its role in the different genres of roots music found throughout the state. It has become a full-out celebration of that music, featuring musical legends and stars, and it also has become the breeding ground for the next generation of squeezeboxers with our newly crowned Big Squeeze Champs taking to the stage. And we are thrilled that Los Texmaniacs is using the Festival this year to release their new CD. It will be a joyous night of celebrating all things accordion - with dancing and merry-making, all under the stars in Houston, Texas. Put on your dancing shoes or boots and join us!” The Accordion Kings & Queens Festival and The Big Squeeze are funded by the Board of Texas Folklife, the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Houston Endowment, Hohner Inc., Texas Commission on the Arts, the Raven Grill, the Houston Press and KPFT 90.1 FM. Additional support for the contest is provided by One Gas, Sign Effects, Hacienda Records, South Central Music Source, and the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Texas Folklife is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. For further information email: sheree.scarborough@gmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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| Hoverla is a Polish-Ukrainian folk-rock musical group from Wroclaw, Poland, whose style is rooted in the Polish, Ukrainian and Lemko folk music. The unique quality of the band is the blend of traditional folk tunes with imaginative compositions that integrate contemporary genres like rock, jazz, reggae, or ska. The lyrics are in Ukraininian, Lemko, and Polish. The powerful, rock-driven rhythm section, combined with brisk folk fiddle, accordion and vibrant, Slavic vocals all form the building blocks that together complement invariably energetic and passionate live performances. Their forthcoming gigs include: June 6th, 6pm - Dni Zarowa, Zarów June 14th, 4pm - The Baltic Tall Ships Regatta 2015, Lasztownia, Szczecin June 21st, 5pm - Festiwal "Marinowanie", Mietków June 27th, 9pm - Piknik Rycerski, Paczków June 28th, 5pm - Biesiada Karpacka, Nowy Sacz For further information email: remikekt@interia.pl |
by Rob Howard
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 Accordionist Paolo Bertoli and his orchestra have an extensive list of dancing gigs during June, as shown on the poster.Paolo Bertoli, was born in Wales, UK, of Italian parents, in 1974. He began playing the accordion at the age of seven, and later moved to Italy, where he formed a dance orchestra that performs in dance halls throughout of northern Italy. His orchestra has also played at a function in Paris, France, for 11 consecutive years. For further information email: info@orchestraballolischio.com |
by Rob Howard
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 The Alasdair MacLeod Scottish Dance Band are the guests of the Blairgowrie Accordion & Fiddle Club on Tuesday June 9th, 7.45pm. The venue is The Red House Hotel, Station Rd, Couper, Angus PH13 9AL, Scotland.For further information email: blairgowriebandfclub@yahoo.com |
by Rob Howard
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 The Accordion Pops Orchestra, conducted by Al Terzo, presents a concert on Sunday June 7th, 3pm, at the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater, Valley Forge, 10000 Shannondell Way, Audubon, Pennsylvania.Featured performers are vocalist Sasha Leon and accordionist Cody McSherry. This concert is open to the public. The Accordion Pops Orchestra will also perform at the 2015 American Accordionists’ Association Festival on Friday July 10th and Saturday July 11th. This takes place at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites,625 King Street,?Alexandria, Virginia 2231. Al Terzo is a teacher, arranger, and conductor who has been with the orchestra since it was founded in 1970. He is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, New Jersey Music Teachers Association, and the National Association of Music Educators. Mr.Terzo serves on the governing board of the American Accordionists’ Association, and is a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild. He is an accomplished accordionist who has performed at the Garden State Arts Center and Newark's Symphony Hall. He teaches accordion and piano in New Jersey. For further information email: webmaster@accordionpops.com |
by Rob Howard
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| Video: A Lovely Madness by Beoga Big Band from Beoga 'Live at 10' DVD/CD. Available on the internet. The Irish band Beoga performs on Friday June 12th, 8pm, at Chorlton Irish Club, High Lane, Manchester. The doors will open at 7.30om and the performance will start at 8. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for under 16s. Beoga were formed in County Kerry, Ireland, in 2002 at the All-Ireland. The line-up features Damian McKee on button accordion, multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and Eamon Murray on bodhrán, and Niamh Dunne on vocals and fiddle. Their 2007 album ‘mischief’ was voted one of the top folk albums of 2007 at the Live Ireland Music Awards and the German Music Awards. In 2010 they were awarded a U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Congressional Recognition and were described by the Wall Street Journal as "the most exciting traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century”. On June 13th Beoga perform at the Gower Folk Festival in Wales, and on June 14th at Scanlon’s Member’s Club, 244-254 Spring Rd, Birmingham. On June 20th they perform in Lausanne, Switzerland. For further information email: beogamusic@gmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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 On Saturday June 13th, from 12pm to 3pm, accordionist Martina Schwarz entertains at a hot and cold brunch buffet. This takes place at Bierschenke, 4 London Wall Buildings, Blomfield Street, London EC2M 5NT.For only £12 per person, brunch will includes either a glass of Prosecco, a pint of Bierschenke beer or a soft drink. London-based Martina Schwarz, born in Cologne, Germany, is an accordionist, vocalist, composer-songwriter, and teacher. For further information email: servus@bierschenke.co.uk |
by Rob Howard
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 On Friday June 19th, 8.30pm, accordionist and composer Nihad Hrustanbegovic performs ‘The Four Seasons’ in the Noorderkerk in Amsterdam. The program consists of ‘The Four Seasons’ by Antonio Vivaldi, ‘Asturias’ by Isaac Albéniz, ‘Adagio’ by WA Mozart, and ‘Petite Suite’ by Claude Debussy. The Concert Introduction is by Anthony Fiumara (composer, music journalist, musicologist). Almost three hundred years after its performance appearance in 1723, ‘The Four Seasons’ was recorded by Nihad Hrustanbegovic for Zefir Records and the CD was released on Valentine's Day 2015. The ‘Four Seasons’, based on the orginal score, is available online. |
by Joan Grauman Morse
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 The 2015 AAA Festival Luncheon Concert will feature the members of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS). WMAS has met monthly in Northern Virginia since its founding in 2003. With the club’s constant encouragement, its terrific workshops, the guest artist concerts and performing opportunities, many of the members have blossomed into really fine musicians and performers. Performing at the Luncheon Concert will be the Potomac Accordion Ensemble under the direction of AAA Governing Board member Joan Grauman; accordionist Robert Ford accompanied by his daughter Rocio Ford on castanets; accordionist Mark Nejako with violinist Nick Sungenis; and accordionist/singer Ken Kunec. The Potomac Accordion Ensemble was founded in 2004 by its director, Joan Grauman. Originally, Joan formed the group to assist members of WMAS who just started to play the accordion or had just returned to the instrument after not playing for up to 45 years. The music and the camaraderie kept everyone coming back for more. Soon, the ensemble was being approached by the national accordion associations to perform at their events and banquets. Named after the beautiful Potomac River, the group has performed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania (including the 2010 AAA Festival in Harrisburg), all over Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland (including the 2012 AAA Festival in Baltimore). Performing in coffeehouses, for major music festivals, farmers’ markets and Christmas events, the eleven year-old ensemble is looking forward to and honored to be playing in Alexandria, Virginia for the 2015 AAA Festival! Robert and Rocio Ford were featured performers at the 2012 AAA Festival in Baltimore and thrilled the audience with their beautiful performance! Robert Ford was ten years old when he started playing the accordion at the Hohner Academy in La Paz, Bolivia. At 13 and 15 years old, he represented Bolivia at the Coupe Mondiale world accordion competitions in Venezuela (1972) and Sweden (1974). For the next several years, he played only sporadically as he moved back to the US, completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and then began to work fulltime. After moving to Virginia in 1998, Robert started to play the accordion regularly again. He has performed at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum, Gunston Arts Center in Arlington, VA, at WMAS meetings and other venues. Robert especially enjoys performing with his daughter Rocio. Rocio Ford, 15, began learning the castanets and Spanish dance when she was three years old under the tutelage of her mother, Carmen de Vicente, a master castanet virtuoso who played with numerous orchestras, pianists, guitarists and accordionists across Spain and the US. Rocio practices and performs with Requiebros Spanish Dance Group, a group of students from Carmen de Vicente’s Spanish Dance Academy in Arlington, VA. She has performed at various Spanish dance festivals and with her father at the 2012 AAA Festival and at several WMAS concerts. Rocio enjoys playing classical and Spanish music on the castanets and dancing Flamenco, Sevillanas, and various regional dances from Spain. The duo of Mark Nejako (accordion) and Nick Sungenis (violin) performed at the 2012 AAA Festival in Baltimore and at the 2014 WMAS Holiday Concert. It’s great to have this delightful duet team joining us for the Luncheon Concert! Mark Nejako grew up in Maryland and is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a Master of Business Administration. He began studying the accordion in 2009 with Frank Busso, Jr. in Alexandria, VA. Mark has performed in various accordion ensembles around the Washington, DC area, and most recently in the CIA World Accordion Orchestra VIII in Salzburg, Austria. Nick Sungenis was born on the West Coast but grew up in Maryland. He graduated from Howard Community College and from Providence College studying Philosophy. His thesis paper about music and eudaimonia was recently published in the fifth volume of an undergraduate humanities journal: Proto. Nick studied the violin from age eleven, has recorded in Nashville, and has played in various venues around the East Coast. Next year he plans to pursue graduate studies in the philosophy of music and to record original compositions. Ken Kunec is the WMAS concert emcee/resident comedian/singing accordionist and is enjoyed by all! Born and raised in Northeastern, Pennsylvania, Ken began piano lessons “just to keep his brother company”. He began studying the accordion at age ten with “Lefty”, a local popular accordionist and studied with him for three years. In high school, he began singing and playing popular and dance music at parties, weddings and taverns (chaperoned by his dad). He played solo and in pick-up bands with his accordion, and then switched to guitar, electric organ and rock music late in high school and through college. After finishing college, Ken moved to the Washington, DC area and began his career developing computer systems for the US government. A few years ago, at the urging of his wife, Ken picked up his accordion again. He plays for church functions, WMAS meetings and concerts, and venues all over Northern Virginia, “only for fun and only for free,” says Ken. Ken and his wife Teddy will be celebrating their 45 wedding anniversary this month. Hope to see everyone at the 2015 AAA Festival!! |
New and Updated Sites |
by Gary Dahl
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  Updated site with a new eBook titled Italian Spectacular released by Gary Dahl. Gary Dahl writes: "The Italian contribution to music over the centuries is an artistic treasure we all can enjoy. The accordion, because of its orchestral capabilities, brings this joy to all accordionists and their listeners. The Italian Spectacular book of arrangements will enable every accordionist to enhance this great heritage of musical history." You can see samples of each piece at Catalog: DH08-eB eBook means that the book is emailed to you. Purchase online for USD$35.50 or Euro equivalent at: DH08-eB This eBook Italian Spectacular is Collection #8 in a series of eBooks by Gary Dahl that have proved to be very popular: There is a special for clients wanting to purchase all 8 eBooks at: DH01-08eB |
by Harley Jones
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 Updated Site: Marco Lo Russo Biography and PicturesCinematic Piano Accordion: Best Movie Masterpieces Rearranged with an Italian Twist by Marco Lo Russo and Gino Marcelli. The new CD by Marco Lo Russo and Gino Marcelli is available online in eTracks mp3 file download format for only 9 Euro or US$ equivalent. Individual tracks are also available. Catalog: marco101eT |
CD Reviews |
by Alessandro Mugnoz
|
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of L'armonica a mantice di Giuseppe Greggiati, in English and Italian languages. Performer Corrado Rojac, reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz. |
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