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Highlights |
2010 ‘Musikmesse’, Frankfurt - Germany
LAA Junior Section Project, Klaipėda - Lithuania
‘The Tradition of the Accordion’, Stradella - Italy
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
Flogging Molly's 5th annual Green 17 tour – USA
Igor Outkine Concert, London – UK
38th ‘Kleinen Tage der Harmonika’, Klingenthal – Germany
Performance Coaching Seminars, Milan, Rome - Italy
West Sussex Accordion Club, Burgess Hill – UK
Le Vent du Nord Workshops/Concert, Maryland – USA
Karen Street Tour and New CD ‘Another Story’, England – UK
CCE Master Workshops and Grand Concert, Kildare – Ireland
‘Airs of Accordeon’ Festival, Valenciennois - France
Mary Tokarski’s Concert Rescheduled to Saturday, February 20
New and Updated Sites |
Finland Recordings selling a new CD
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Pieces
NAA Publications New Music Releases
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Pieces
NAA Publications New Music Releases
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Art Van Damme (1920-2010), California – USAby Rob Howard |
 Art Van Damme died on February 15th 2010 after being ill with pneumonia for several weeks. A Memorial to this great accordion jazz legend is now online and you can add your Tribute to his Tribute Wall on the Art Van Damme memorials site.Art Van Damme was born on April 9th 1920 in Norway, Michigan, and brought up in Chicago. Art Van Damme took up the piano accordion in 1929 at the age of nine, and was classically trained before discovering jazz as a teenager – inspired by the recordings of Benny Goodman. In 1941 he joined Ben Bernie's band as an accordionist, then from 1945 to 1960 he worked for NBC, performing on ‘The Dinah Shore Show’, ‘Tonight’, ‘The Dave Garroway Show’, and other radio and TV shows with Garroway. He recorded 130 episodes of the 15-minute ‘The Art Van Damme Show’ for NBC Radio, and from the 1940s onwards also enjoyed a successful and extended recording career. Van Damme toured Europe and was also popular with jazz listeners in Japan, and regularly won the US ‘Downbeat’ magazine reader's poll for his instrument. He also toured in Russia and New Zealand. In 2005, Art Van Damme, Myron Floren and Dick Contino – three all-American accordion legends – were all honoured at the Las Vegas Accordion Convention, and the following year Art was the chief guest at the ‘Accordions International 2006’ festival, held at Caister, UK. Art Van Damme, in his prime years, played so many gigs in clubs, hotels and concert stages across the USA and Europe that it is said that he never needed to do any practice. He was constantly in action, developing and honing his skills and repertoire, pioneering the use of the accordion as a jazz lead instrument. So influential was Art’s playing style that he has influenced most of the western world’s jazz accordionists. One musicologist made the following neat comment: “The hippest cat ever to swing an accordion, Art Van Damme dared go where no man had gone before: jazz accordion”. Art Van Damme died on February 15th 2010. He was 89 years old, and had been ill with pneumonia for several weeks. He had three children and six grandchildren. Although he had retired to Arizona and then to Scramento California, he continued to perform nearly to the age of 90. Funeral Mass: 10am, Saturday February 20th 2010 St. Clare’s Catholic Church, 1950 Junction Blvd_Roseville, CA 95747 Phone: (916)772-4717 Click Art Van Damme to go to his Memorial site where you can you can add your Tribute to his Tribute Wall on the Art Van Damme memorials site. |
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2010 ‘Musikmesse’, Frankfurt - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The International Trade Fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections takes place in Frankfurt am Main, from March 24th to the 27th.The fair opens for four days: Hours of opening: 9am until 6pm Trade-visitor days: Wednesday March 24th to Friday 26th March, Public day: Saturday March 27th Also this year all accordion related products will be exhibited in Hall 3.1 of the ground fair. Here some useful Information: Shows and Events: Agora Stage, outdoor area in front of Hall 3 Musikmesse Forum, Hall 3.Via, Room Kontrast Acoustic Stage, Hall 3.Via, Room Facette International Vintage Show, Congress Center School Jam Admission prices are online. Visitors can register and purchase their admission tickets simply and securely in advance via the Musikmesse internet site at www.musikmesse.com and make payment by credit card. Room reservations and travel packages are also available online. More than 600 hotels in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region provide an attractive range of accommodation in all price categories for exhibitors, visitors and journalists. www.musikmesse.com |
LAA Junior Section Project, Klaipėda - Lithuaniaby Martynas Levickis |
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 ‘Nauji Vejai’ (‘The Winds of Change’) is a new project in Lithuania that seeks to involve junior accordionists in an active musical life. The idea is being generated by accordionist Raimondas Sviackevicius, a lecturer at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in Vilnius. Photo top: live internet video link to London. Photo middle: opening concert Trio Chill Out & S. Petreikis (bansuri flute), Photo lower: Owen Murray & Friedrich Lips in London. Photo left: Raimondas Sviackevicius speech and below the event poster. The target of the project is young people with new ideas of presenting the accordion in appropriate ways – modern and classical music. The Lithuanian Accordionists Association (LAA) managed to gather over 60 young and prospective accordionists and establish a Junior Section. This project enables Lithuanian youngsters to develop as professional musicians and also as skilled organizers. On February 5th, LAA Junior Section held its first meeting in Klaipeda. Accordionists from all over the country came to the open discussion-conference. They talked about existing problems and possible solutions, discussed the ways of presenting the accordion to the classical music world. During the conference they organized a live video link with accordionists from the Royal Academy of Music in London. Raimondas Sviackevicius introduced the main idea of the project and prospective activities in Lithuania. Professor Owen Murray and visiting professor from Russia, Friedrich Lips, responded wishing the best luck for processing the project. Also, this internet interaction gave a chance for students from both countries to communicate, discuss and share different opinions. Apart from some technical problems in London, the video link was successful and demonstrated a good image of Lithuanian organizers. The event ended up with a massive Gala concert in Klaipeda University, which was absolutely full! The concert program included a wide range repertoire from Baroque to original accordion music, involving over 20 young promising and already acknowledged performers. The project will visit as many cities in Lithuania as possible. Now it is going to be easer to organize future events as the youngsters are already interested and inspired. The next meeting and concert will take place in Šiauliai city in the beginning of May, celebrating World Accordion Day. Anyone wanting to join us is most welcome! For further information email: info@laas.lt |
‘The Tradition of the Accordion’, Stradella - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| On Saturday February 27th the project RE.T.I.C.A. (Territorial Network for Innovation in Applied Creativity), the City of Stradella, the Foundation Cologni for arts and hand crafts, and the Center Celit-integrated work in the Territory, promote a unique event dedicated to the production of hand-made accordions, historically attested to Stradella, and also for the excellence in the hand crafts made in the region Lombardia. The program: 9am - meeting at the Civico Museo della Fisarmonica di Stradella Sala ‘Nerina Brambilla’, Centro Culturale Via Montebello, 2 9.15 - Round Table discussion with: Pierangelo Lombardi – Mayor of Stradella Alberto Cavalli – Foundation ‘Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte’ Concetta Pugliese - Celit, Centro Lavoro Integrato nel Territorio Matteo Lanati - Spazio Creatività Comune di Pietra de' Giorgi Claudio Beltrami – Accordion Producer Carlo Aguzzi – Director of the Accordion Museum Stradella For further details and exact program of the event – visit the Civico Museo della Fisarmonica di Stradella website or email: nadia.manara@comune.stradella.pv.it |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
'Les As du Musette - Gus Viseur’, Brussels – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
 'Les As du Musette - Gus Viseur in Brussels' is a compilation CD of vintage recordings made in Brussels during the war years by leading musette accordionist Gus Viseur, playing alongside numerous top jazz/swing musicians. Viseur was the first accordionist of significance to play jazz in the Hot Club style, having mixed socially and played with 'Hot Club de France' stars Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, and their like in the 1930s. These recordings, which are really very much an ensemble effort, make great listening, and are sure to appeal to those who like the Hot Club jazz style. The sound quality is excellent, the playing is fantastic, and the music is lively and uplifting. The CD, available via Amazon, also includes informative sleeve notes in French and English. Belgian-born Gus Viseur (1916-74) moved to Paris in the early 1930s, and became one of the best-known musette accordionists of his era. His musette-based jazz style anticipated later developments in jazz on the accordion. |
Future events |
Harry Hussey and Steve Roxton Concert, Essex - UKby Rob Howard |
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| The Harry Hussey ‘80th Birthday Year Tour’ continues with a concert at Harlow Accordion Club, also starring Steve Roxton and The Harlow Accordion Club Band on Thursday February 25th, 7.30pm, at The Links Social Club, Parsloe Road, Harlow, Essex, CM19 4RT. The organizer is Jean Hanger. Harry Hussey’s tour is also a fund raiser on behalf of ‘Accordion Aid’, set up by Charlie Watkins to raise money for homeless people. Steve Roxton is a very experienced accordion entertainer and vocalist, performing for many years during the summer months in Jersey. For further information email: jeanhanger@ntlworld.com |
Flogging Molly's 5th annual Green 17 tour – USAby Rob Howard |
 Flogging Molly's sixth annual Green 17 tour takes their mixture of traditional Irish music and punk rock across the USA in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick's Day.Concert dates (March dates to follow): February 19th, 8pm - Fillmore Charlotte, 820 Hamilton St, Charlotte, North Carolina 20th, 8pm - House of Blues, 4640 Highway 17 S, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 22nd, 8pm - The Norva, 317 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, Virginia 23rd, 8pm - Ram's Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland 25th, 8pm - Webster Theatre, 31 Webster St, Hartford, Connecticut 26th, 8pm - Electric Factory, 421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 27th, 7pm - House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 28th, 7pm - Main Street Armory, 900 E. Main S, Rochester, NY Founded in Los Angeles in 1997, Flogging Molly began playing in a local bar called Molly Malone’s, with instruments including accordion, violin, mandolin mixing with grinding guitars and pounding drums. Flogging Molly’s latest album, ‘Float’, was recorded in Ireland. The band’s website states: “The overall effect is a symphonic layering of sound that possesses a unique rhythmic flow from boisterous to bereaved and back again. Long time fans and new discoverers will be equally astounded”. |
Igor Outkine Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Thursday February 25th, 8pm-12pm, London-based Russian accordionist/vocalist Igor Outkine and violinist Elizabeth Harrison perform at The Chameleon Club Night, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 42-44 Pollard Row, Bethnal Green, London E2 6NB.Igor Outkine performs international hits by ABBA, Queen, Beatles, Smokie, etc, and Russian pop hits from 1960s, 70s and 80s from the repertoire of Yuri Antonov, Machina Vremeni, Muslim Magamaev, Alexandr Rosenbaum, etc, plus some Russian folk and gypsy songs and Hot Club Jazz. All music will be performed completely live and without any pre-recorded backing tracks (apart from drum machine). For further information email: igor.outkine@ntlworld.com |
38th ‘Kleinen Tage der Harmonika’, Klingenthal – Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 The 38th Kleinen Tage der Harmonika (little days of the accordion) on 27/28 February 27th and 28th will take place in the in the Music City Klingenthal, which has produced accordions since 1852.Young accordionists from Saxony, Thuringia and Bavaria, and the Czech Republic will meet here to demonstrate their skills in competition and to win the coveted prizes on offer. For many participants of recent events the competition was a foundation for their participation in the annual Klingenthal International Accordion Competition, held in May. The ‘Little Days of Harmonica’ is a living example of the realization of the idea of nations coming together in harmony, and is an integral part in the cultural life of the city Klingenthal. On Saturday February 27th, 7pm, a concert will take place in the auditorium of the Amtsberg with the Klingenthal Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Karl Lipsius, and on Sunday February 28th, 2.30pm, the winners of the 38th Kleinen Tage der Harmonika will play in the final concert. Entrance is free! |
Performance Coaching Seminars, Milan, Rome - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
  Seminars aimed at developing mental and physical preparation in order to improve public performance and confidence take place on February 27th and 28th in Milan, and in Rome on March 6th and 7th. Sonia Giudici (picture right) and Simone Pacchiele (picture left) are the tutors.Objectives of the seminar: Learning by means of Coaching ® Art, through theoretical investigations, exercises and personal advice for each participant: • Gain greater peace and feelings of security • learn to use the body and mind to perform at one’s best • Overcoming problems associated with stage anxiety • learn to manage external interference during the performance • overcome any previous traumatic experiences The program includes: • The importance of mental preparation to optimize performance • The interaction between mind and body in preparation • The reduction of anxiety through body techniques (exercises) • The reduction of anxiety through mental techniques (exercises) • How to achieve excellent physical and mental conditions for the implementation • Focusing to overcome environmental interference (exercises) • Overcoming criticism and traumas The seminar is open to anyone - professional and non-professionals alike - who is interested in improving their performance by increasing their level of awareness of physical and mental security. The seminar does not require any special preparation beforehand. For information re Milan email: info@coachingperartisti.com For information re Rome email: info@cantarelopera.com |
West Sussex Accordion Club, Burgess Hill – UKby Rob Howard |
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  The newly formed West Sussex Accordion Club meets at The Rider Hall Youth Centre, St Andrew's Church, Cants Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0LG (close to Wivelsfield Railway Station).Organized by Sue Bennett, £2 admission, includes tea/coffee and biscuits during the interval, plus the provision of original accordion sheet music by John Leslie and Peter Ayres. 2010 meeting dates (1.30pm to 4.30pm) are: February 27th; March 27th; April 24th; May 29th; June 26th; July/August - Summer Break!; September 25th; October 30th; November 27th; December 18th All accordionists are welcome to attend! Please bring along your accordions. For further information email: accordionfriends@aol.com |
Le Vent du Nord Workshops/Concert, Maryland – USAby Rob Howard |
| The Celtic Society of Southern Maryland in partnership with the Calvert Marine Museum proudly presents Le Vent du Nord from Montreal, Canada. Three of the band members will offer workshops in fiddle/feet, guitar and accordion during the afternoon from 2 – 4pm. The evening concert will begin at 7.30 pm, Sunday March 7th. The workshops and concert will be held at the Calvert Marine Museum Auditorium, 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomon’s, MD. |
Karen Street Tour and New CD ‘Another Story’, England – UKby Rob Howard |
 On her forthcoming tour, accordionist Karen Street reveals the influences behind her music, playing tracks from her latest CD ‘Another Story’. Featuring a selection of jazz standards, original tunes and a pop song, she ably demonstrates the diverse nature of this versatile instrument.The Karen Street Quartet sees Karen’s musical partnership with guitarist Fred T Baker, first unveiled in Karen’s debut CD ‘Finally a beginning’, back in 2001, refreshed by the addition of award winning jazz singer Sara Colman, along with the talented bassist Andy Hamill. ‘Another Story’ is available via Double Zed Music. Tour Dates: March 5th - Birmingham, Symphony Hall Foyer 5.30pm free 6th - Chesterfield, Parish Arts Centre 7.30pm 7th - Northampton, Jazz at the Carriage House 8pm 12th - Burton on Trent, Brewhouse Arts 7.30pm 14th - Camden Town, The Forge 2pm free 17th - Dartmouth, The Flavel 7.30pm 18th - Cardiff, Acapela 8pm 19th - Bath, Chapel Arts 8pm For further information email: romanoviazzani@btconnect.com |
CCE Master Workshops and Grand Concert, Kildare – Irelandby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday March 27th a series of instrumental workshops, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, take place at Scoil na Mainistreach, Oldtown Road, Celbridge, Kildare, Republic of Ireland. The tutors are:• Fiddle – Tony Linnane and Michelle O’Brien. • Anglo concertina – Noel Hill • Banjo – Brian McGrath. • Flute – Sarah Jane Woods. • Button accordion – Danny O’Mahony. • Tin Whistle – Seán Ryan and Méabh Ní Lochlainn. • Bodhrán - Junior Davey. • Traditional singing – Edel Vaughan • Steps and Sets – Gerard Butler The day starts in Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge at 10.45 with registration and grading. The classes follow from 11.30am to 2pm. There is a short break from 2pm to 2.30pm, during which, sandwiches, tea, coffee, water and soft drinks will be provided free of charge. The classes continue at 2.30pm and finish at 4.30pm. The ‘Grand Concert’ starts at 8pm in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, that night where all the tutors from the workshops will perform. For further information email: enquiries@comhaltas.com |
‘Airs of Accordeon’ Festival, Valenciennois - Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Each year during the weekend of the Pentecst, May 23rd and 24th, the festival ‘Airs of Accordion in Valenciennois’ takes place in Hergnies, Valenciennois, near the Belgian border. For further information email: Jhoogers@aol.com |
Mary Tokarski’s Concert Rescheduled to Saturday, February 20by Rita Davidson Barnea |
 The concert featuring Mary Tokarski performing with the Prince George’s Philharmonic, originally scheduled for last Saturday, February 13, but canceled due to a snow storm, will take place this coming Saturday, February 20. At 8 PM. at the Queen Anne Auditorium, Prince George's Community College, Largo, Md.Accordionist Mary Tokarski will perform Astor Piazzolla's "Aconcagua: Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra" with the Prince George’s Philharmonic, Charles Ellis conducting. For further information please contact: Prince George's Philharmonic, 7833 Walker Drive, Suite 430, Greenbelt, MD 20770 or 301-446-3245 or www.pgphilharmonic.org |
New and Updated Sites |
Vassily Glubochenko releases 3 new works for accordionby Vassily Glubochenko |
 Vassily Glubochenko - accordionist as well as a composer, arranger, and scientist, releases 3 new works for accordion available for purchase online - ‘Tango for Natasha, catalog:gvassily033', 'Swing from by, catalog:gvassily034' and 'Confession, catalog:gvassily035'. Samples of this music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Finland Recordings selling a new CDby Finland recordings |
 Finland Recordings selling a new CD titled "Misterium" with sound samples. Music performed by Mika Vayrynen. Purchase online. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
 MusicForAccordion.com site releases 2 new pieces - 'Tarantella, catalog:mfa8018 and 'Waves Of The Ocean, catalog:mfa8019'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby NAA Publications |
 National Accordion Association releases 4 new pieces, 'The Blue Skirt Waltz, catalog:naa125', 'Danse Russe Trepak (Trio), catalog:naa126', 'Dance Of The Mialitens, catalog:naa127' and 'Blue Danube, catalog:naa128'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
MusicForAccordion.com new eSheet Piecesby MusicForAccordion.com |
 MusicForAccordion.com site releases 6 new pieces - 'Can - Can, catalog:mfa8010', 'Roman Guitar, catalog:mfa8011', 'Bolero, catalog:mfa8012', 'Dengozo, catalog:mfa8014', 'Jigs And Reels, catalog:mfa8016 and 'La Cinquantaine, catalog:mfa8017'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
NAA Publications New Music Releasesby National Accordion Association |
 NAA Publications releases 6 new pieces, 'Parade Of The Texas Aggies, catalog:naa118', 'My Faith Is Strong, catalog:naa119', 'Happy – Go - Lucky, catalog:naa120', 'Valse Vienna, catalog:naa121', 'Dusty Trails, catalog:naa122' and 'Hi – Ho, The Merry, catalog:naa123'. Samples of the music are available online. The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
CD Reviews |
Misteriumby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of “Misterium” by Joan C. Sommers. Performer is Mika Väyrynen. |
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