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Highlights |
2017 Coupe Mondiale Entry Closing Date, 31st July - Italy
Future events of Friedrich Lips - Russia, China
Bryant Park Five-Hour Friday Finale of Accordions Around the World - USA
Ian Holmes (1935-2017), Scotland – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Sharon Shannon Video on RTE News, Galway – Irish Republic
Video: BMFC Tango Quintet, Milonga del Angel by Astor Piazzolla - Switzerland
Video: Emmanuel Gasser Performing "Omaggio a Pietro" - USA
Video: Alexander Poeluev and the New-Centropezn Jazz Quintet - Russia
Video: Václav Trojan Fairy Tales, A Concerto for Accordion (excerpts)
Future events |
Cherish the Ladies Concert Tour Dates – USA, Ireland
‘Stage Accordeon’, Haute-Savoie - France
Dan Newton Concerts, Michigan, Minneapolis, California – USA
Martynas Concert, Alicante – Spain
Michael English DVD Recording, Killarney – Irish Republic
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina – Italy
CT Tango Ensemble Concert, Cape Town – South Africa
Leonard Brown Concert, Scotland – UK
‘Accordeon Festival’, Florianopolis – Brazil
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Highlights |
Daily Reports: 2017 China Shenzhen Bao'an International Accordion Art Festivalby Harley Jones |
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| There will be major internet Daily Reports, pictures and video of the competitions and festival starting on 23 July at: 2017 Shenzhen The 2017 concert and competition schedule is online at: 2017ShenzhenSchedule Download 80 page color program at: 2017ShenzhenProgram There is also considerable interest in the Guiness World Record Attempt for Largest Accordion Ensemble, being held on the 24th July. Past records are 2014 with 1,361 accordionists was set in Shenzhen (picture below) and in 2016 with 1,517 accordionists in Tacheng, China. |
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2017 Coupe Mondiale Entry Closing Date, 31st July - Italyby Harley Jones |
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  Teachers and potential entrants are reminded, that entries close for the 70th Coupe Mondiale on the 31st July 2017. Do not be late.An exciting Coupe Mondiale and CIA International General Assembly of Delegates Congress in Osimo, Italy is ready to go and will be featuring 7 international accordion categories of competitions. The first Coupe Mondiale was in 1938. Categories are: - Coupe Mondiale - Masters Coupe Mondiale - Junior Coupe Mondiale - Virtuoso Entertainment - Junior Virtuoso Entertainment - Intl. Chamber Music - Classical - Intl. Chamber Music - World Music CIA President Raymond Bodell looks forward to welcoming competitors from all quarters of the globe, for the 70th Coupe Mondiale to be held in Osimo, Italy, from 5th – 10th September as well as International guests and supporters of the accordion. All accordionists are invited to perform in the CIA "World Accordion Orchestra IX" conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers and to also enjoy superb concerts in the magnificent "Teatro La Nuova Fenice" (picture below). A reminder for delegates and adjudicators to register at: 2017Delegate/Jury Full information, accommodation and entry details are online at: Coupe Mondiale |
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Future events of Friedrich Lips - Russia, Chinaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
  Prof. Friedrich Lips Productions has just released the new album, catalog CD028 "Hymn to Aphrodite" which features the revered Friedrich Lips performing with three different chamber and symphony orchestras.The busy schedule of Friedrich Lips continues with: 05-10 August 2017, Master class and festival in Tianjin (China). 27-29 October 2017, Master class in Magnitogorsk (Russia). 30 October to 05 November 2017, Coupe „Friedrich Lips“ in Tchelyabinsk (Russia). 13-17 November 2017, Chairman of the Allrussian Competition in Moscow. 20-24 November 2017, Chairman of the Competition in Belgorod (Russia). 13-17 December 2017, 29th Festival "Bayan and Accordionists" Festival, Moscow (Russia). |
Bryant Park Five-Hour Friday Finale of Accordions Around the World - USAby Harley Jones |
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 Thank you to Bryant Park for an excellent accordion promotion - their press release:The five-hour Friday (21st July) finale of Accordions Around the World has a number of bands, each featuring an accordionist, playing music from around the world: 5pm - Bil Afrah Project (a celebration of the legendary Lebanese album by Ziad Rahbani) 6pm - The Sunnyside Social Club (New Orleans-inspired cabaret punk blues) 7pm - F. Hostins Accordion' Osnelda (A lively blend of Brazilian Forró and the music of Southern Brazil) 8pm - Peter Stan's Zlatni Balkan Zvuk (High-energy Balkan wedding music) 9pm - Gregorio Uribe (picture below) and special guests (A special Colombian Independence Day celebration with cumbia and vallenato) The evening is hosted by “certified free spirit” (The New Yorker) Rachelle Garniez (picture left) whose story-songs have been described as “romantic, rhapsodic and casually hilarious” (The New York Times). Food and drinks are available to purchase near the lawn, and over 100 picnic blankets are available to borrow at no cost. Experience the wide range of this often-overlooked and little-known instrument. |
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Ian Holmes (1935-2017), Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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 Ian Holmes, one of Scotland’s best known and foremost dance band leaders, accordionists and composers, from the early 1960s until recent times, passed away this month as a result of diabetes. He was widely respected not just in the world of Scottish country dance music, but also in the accordion scenes of Switzerland and Scandinavia, where he visited many times and loved their accordion traditions and traditional music.Ian Holmes, from Dumfries, began studying the classical accordion under Alex Carter at the age of thirteen. He met the great Will Starr, who was playing locally and who gave him advice on left-hand chording. In 1956, he joined Bobby MacLeod’s band on second accordion, and in 1960 took on a similar role with Andrew Rankine, before forming his own band in 1962. His band made numerous recordings, and appeared on radio and TV many times. He also played as a soloist, and in 1957 won the Senior Scottish Championship at the All-Scotland Championships in Perth. At this festival he won the Jimmy Shand Shield, presented by the great man himself. Holmes was described early on in his career as “a musicians’ musician” by Bobby MacLeod, while the great Sir Jimmy Shand would tell him, “You’re a one-off son.” Ian played the piano accordion, the 5-row button chromatic, the 3-row British chromatic, and various other diatonic systems, the result of his travels and interest in the music of Switzerland and Scandinavia and has recorded using all these different types of accordions. He also composed music in Scandinavian and Swiss styles, and recorded two authentic-sounding albums of his compositions - ‘Sounds Scandinavian’ (1988) and ‘Ian in Switzerland’ (1997). In total he composed 450 tunes, from Scottish pipe marches to Scandinavian and Swiss waltzes and polkas. In 1973 Ian and his wife Margaret opened their own shop, Ian Holmes Music, in Dumfries, which became a popular musicians’ haunt until the couple retired in 2000. In January of 2014, Ian Holmes and his Scottish Dance Band made what was officially their final public appearance, at the Islesteps Accordion and Fiddle Club in Dumfries. Although not advertised as such, the gig attracted a huge turnout of fans and fellow-musicians. Looking back, he commented: “I’ve had a wonderful life, for through my music I have visited so many places in Scotland and abroad and have met so many interesting and kindly people. For years I was happy at my work and this work was also my hobby. How many people can say that?” |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Festival 2017 Hits Many High Notes – USAby Joan Grauman Morse, AAA Historian |
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| Picture 1 above: (l to r), Cody McSherry (winner of the Junior Division of the Carmen Carrozza Memorial Competition), Emmanuel Gasser (winner of the Open Division of the Carmen Carrozza Memorial Competiton), and Nathan Chapeton (US representative to the Coupe Mondiale) having fun while jamming. Picture 2 above: AAA Youth Jazz Ensemble conducted by Mitch Guido. Picture 3 above: AAA Youth Orchestra conducted by Mary Tokarski. Video 1: AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by Dr. William Morse performs Ritual Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla Video 2: AAA Festival Orchestra performs Suite No. 3 in DM by J. S. Bach Situated just outside of Princeton, New Jersey’s historic area, the Westin Forrestal Village came alive last week with the sound of accordion music. New instruments were tried, new friendships were made, new techniques were learned, old memories were shared, and old friends had the opportunity to create more great memories together. The emphasis was on the youth, and the young musicians did not disappoint – quite the contrary. Along with our annual Youth Orchestra and Youth Jazz Ensemble, our young accordionists were the entertainers for our annual Luncheon Concert. These kids delighted the attendees with solos, duos and trios. The concert’s emcee was one of our very promising young accordionists, Rachel Quirbach. Wonderful, informative, well-attended workshops were given by our guest artists and by some of our regular contributors. The Friday Gala Concert was an exciting mix of rock, folk, ethnic, jazz and classical music featuring Will Holshouser, Dallas Vietty, Jamie Maschler, Dr. Robert Young McMahan, Bruce Gassman and Eddie Monteiro – a terrific mix! This year’s festival orchestra conductor was the totally delightful Dr. William Morse, Principal Conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra in Denver, Colorado. His beautiful arrangements and infectious warmth brought out the best in all of the participants (look for my article on Dr. Morse in the August issue of Accordion USA). The new nightly After Hours Club was a wonderful highlight with many of the attendees signing up each evening to play – sometimes with the whole room singing along. Many thanks to our AAA Board members plus our stellar performers and workshop leaders who worked tirelessly to make this year’s festival a huge success! Please join us in Alexandria, Virginia, July 11-15, 2018 when the AAA celebrates its 80th anniversary! Picture below: (l to r) Eddie Monteiro, Joe Natoli, Dr. William Morse (AAA Festival Orchestra conductor), Joan Grauman (AAA Historian), Guy Klucevsek, Will Holshouser, Dallas Vietty, Jamie Machler, Evan McPherson, and Mary Tokarski (AAA President); Seated in front, Linda Soley Reed (AAA 2nd Vice President). Photos by Lou Coppola |
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Sharon Shannon Video on RTE News, Galway – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
| The popular diatonic accordionist Sharon Shannon lives in a rural setting in County Galway, and loves the countryside, animals and wildlife, evidenced by this video in which her playing gets a warm response from some cows in a field. The video has been shown on the RTE news on the Irish TV channel and several newspapers mentioned it, and very quickly, there was over 500,000 views. Sharon Shannon plays the 2-row button accordion, melodeon, fiddle, and tin whistle. Originally a competitive show jumper, she switched to playing music professionally in the mid-1980s, and has since enjoyed a very successful international career. She plays mainly as a soloist with her own backing musicians, and is especially popular with younger audiences, usually playing to sell-out venues in Ireland and around the world. |
Video: BMFC Tango Quintet, Milonga del Angel by Astor Piazzolla - Switzerlandby Harley Jones |
| An excerpt from BMFC Tango Quintet's Piazzolla program in an open air concert in Cully at the Lauvaux Classique Festival June 30 2017 in Switzerland. Performers (left to right) are: Marie Heck (violin), Adrien Praz (piano), Grayson Masefield (accordion), Bastien Monnet (double bass) and Laurent Cherruault (guitar). The BMFC Tango Quintet is a group created in 2013 at the University of Music in Lausanne where they all the members studied. Another video by BMFC was published in last weeks news. |
Video: Emmanuel Gasser Performing "Omaggio a Pietro" - USAby Harley Jones |
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| Recorded at the AAA Festival last week, was winner of the Open Division of the Carmen Carrozza Memorial Competition, Emmanuel Gasser of Canada performing "Omaggio a Pietro" by Frosini. Thank you to Dan Grauman for the video. |
Video: Alexander Poeluev and the New-Centropezn Jazz Quintet - Russiaby Harley Jones |
| Alexander Poeluev will be a featured soloist at the Shenzhen International Accordion Festival in China next week. This is a video, published 2nd July 2017, of Alexander Poeluev and the New-Centropezn jazz quintet in performance at the festival "Accordion Plus" in the big hall of the Rostov State Musical Theater, Rostov-on-Don. They perform the popular Basso Osinato by Viktor Vlasov. Performers: Alexander Poeluev (accordion), Aram Rustamiants (piano), Andrey Machnev (saxophone), Vladislav Okunev (guitar), Vitaly Perov (bass), Gregory Deratsuev (drums). |
Video: Václav Trojan Fairy Tales, A Concerto for Accordion (excerpts)by Harley Jones |
| Martynas Levickis accordion soloist, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, recorded Vilnius 14 October 2016, published 4th April 2017. |
Future events |
Santa Maria Accordion Band from Malta visits Treviso - Italyby Rob Howard |
 On Friday July 21st, 8.45pm, the Santa Maria Accordion Band (MD Marthese Bussutil Cassar L.B.C.A), from Malta, performs in concert at the Teatro Communale, Treviso, Italy. Sharing the concert are the Fisorchestra Armonio di Treviso, who invited the Maltese band to visit them.The Santa Maria Accordion Band was founded in 1992, is the only one of its kind in Malta. This year the band held the first Accordion Festival in Malta, which was a great success, and there will be another festival next year. For further information email: mtbusuttil@yahoo.com |
Cherish the Ladies Concert Tour Dates – USA, Irelandby Rob Howard |
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 The all-female band Cherish the Ladies, who specialize in Irish traditional music, are currently on tour with dates in New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Ohio, Maine and Massachusetts. In August the band has a series of dates in the Irish Republic. Details are on the poster."It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn't enjoy what they do", says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene and has since toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, recorded 16 outstanding albums including ‘“An Irish Homecoming’, a live recording of their Emmy winning TV special that aired across America and Ireland. For further information email: contact@cherishtheladies.com |
‘Stage Accordeon’, Haute-Savoie - Franceby Rob Howard |
 ‘Stage Accordeon’ is a week-long accordion event, July 18th to 25th, at the Hotel Les Sapins, Manigod, Haute-Savoie, Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. Appearing are the accordionists Marcel Azzola, Jean-Louis Noton Julie Blocher, Annie Lacour, and Michel Madeira. |
Dan Newton Concerts, Michigan, Minneapolis, California – USAby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Dan Newton, known to many as “Daddy Squeeze", plays in a variety of ethnic styles and fronts the Cafe Accordion Orchestra. The CAO members are Dan Newton, accordion and vocals, Eric Mohring – mandolin, violin and vocals, Robert Bell – guitar and vocals, and Joe Steiger – percussion. Gig list for late July: July 21st and 22nd - Cafe Accordion Orchestra, Hiawatha Music Festival, Marquette, Michigan July 25th, 6pm-9pm - Cafe Accordion Orchestra, Loring Pasta Bar, Minneapolis July 28th to 31st – solo, Lark in the Morning Music Gathering, Mendocino, California For further information email: Daddysqueeze@daddysqueeze.com |
Martynas Concert, Alicante – Spainby Rob Howard |
 Lithuanian accordionist Martynas Levickis performs in concert on Saturday July 22nd, 8pm, at the Teatro del Mediterraneo, Alicante, Spain.Martynas graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, played at the Royal Albert Hall, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico, Debussy's residence in Paris, the Berlin Waldbühne, etc. In his home country he won ‘Lithuania’s Got Talent’ on national TV. |
Michael English DVD Recording, Killarney – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
 Irish singer and musician Michael English and his band perform in concert on Saturday July 22nd, 8pm, in a show that will be recorded for a DVD. The venue is INEC, Killarney, County Kerry.Michael English, from County Kildare, born in 1979, is an Irish country singer who also plays the accordion and piano. He studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and has since pursued a highly successful career as an entertainer, with several albums and hit singles to his name. The singer/accordionist Brendan Shine will make a special guest appearance in this show. Born in 1947, Brendan Shine began his career in music as an accordionist with the Kieran Kelly Ceili Band, then took up singing and becoming a popular professional vocalist, fronting his own band. |
Marco Lo Russo Concerts, Latina – Italyby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist and composer Marco Lo Russo performs next week, as follows:Saturday July 22nd, 9pm until 11pm – special guest with the Banda dell’Arma dei Carabinieri, Sabaudia, Latina Thursday July 27th, 9pm – ‘Made in Italy’ by Marco Lo Russo featuring Maria Francesca Bartolomucci - vocals and Giulio Vinci - piano, Consorzio di Bonifica dell'Agro Pontino, Latina For further information email: newsletter@marcolorusso.com |
CT Tango Ensemble Concert, Cape Town – South Africaby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday July 23rd, 7pm until 10pm, the CT Tango Ensemble performs in concert and for dancing at Alliance Française, 155 Loop St, Cape Town.The CT Tango Ensemble line up is Stanislav Angelov – accordion, bandoneon, arranger, composer & manager; Albert Combrink - piano,arranger & composer; Petrus de Beer - violin Charles Lazar - double bass & composer For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
Leonard Brown Concert, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Leonard Brown performs in concert on Tuesday July 25th, 7.30pm until 10pm, at MacKay’s Hotel, Wick, Scotland. The admission price of £10 includes a copy of the recently released double DVD ‘A Toast to Scotland’.Leonard Brown, from Newcastle, became only the second Englishman to become All Scotland Accordion Champion in 2012 (Robert Whitehead was the first in 1978). He has emerged as one the best young accordionists and pianists on the Accordion & Fiddle Club scene. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
‘Accordeon Festival’, Florianopolis – Brazilby Rob Howard |
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| A concert titled ‘Accordeon Festival’ takes place on Wednesday July 26th, 8.30pm, at the Teatro Adimir Rosa, Avenida Governador Irineu Bornhausen, 5600 Agronômica, Florianopolis, in southern Brazil. The accordionists performing include Edson Dutra, William Hengen, Daniel Hack, Samuca do Acordeon, Eddy Stafin, Diego Fagundes, Leandro Panneitz, and Flavinho Alves. |
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