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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=28-Jun-2013&lang=de&s=7351
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=28-Jun-2013&lang=de&s=7351
28-Jun-2013
by Rob Howard
|
 The following is an abridged report by Griff Ziegler: The accordion took over the Festhalle, the Gazebo, the Grange, and even down Main Street, and after hours in the local beer halls and Bavarian restaurants for the duration of the Leavenworth Accordion Celebration. This year saw soloists such as Bruce Gassman doing his upbeat interpretations of Rock and Roll, the Beatles, to numerous musical themes from Star Wars and James Bond movies. There was also Gary Blair, Leavenworth's favorite Scotsman, treating everybody to his flying fingers and his unique interpretations of traditional and other music. How does anyone move fingers as quickly as Gary?? Must be the Haggis! Then there were the duet sounds of Kory Tideman and Juan Barco, whose ‘Conjunto’ was a pleasure and wonderfully entertaining. This year also featured the wonderful sounds of Tango music in the form of Tango Volcado, who come from by Spokane, WA. The group features piano accordion, string bass and violin. There was also the Northwest Accordionaires, an accordion orchestra composed of 14 accordions, drums, tuba, bass, and a wonderful female vocalist. The selections ranged from Folk, to Broadway, to Classical. A welcomed surprise was the appearance of Sam Thomas, a former Leavenworth contest winner, now returned as a featured player. Recently Sam was encouraged to entered the Trophee Mondial competition in his home town of Spokane, WA, winning first place overall - the first time in over 25 years that an American won such an honor. This year’s entertainment also featured a Russian group, now residing in Eugene, Oregon, called Trio Voronezh. This group play authentic Russian instruments including the double bass balalaika, a domra, and a bayan. Their selection of music included Russian folk songs, Gypsy music, JS Bach, selections from the classics, and from George Gershwin. Closing the last evening’s entertainment was the Great Dance Palooza - swing, fox trots, waltzes, polkas, Latin rhythms, and more for all listening and dancing pleasure, performed by the LIAC Dance Palooza Jam Band, with accordionists Bonnie Birch, Toby Hanson, Rod Miller, Jim and Shirley O’Brien, Kory Tideman, Johnny V, and other NWAS accordion players. Next year’s Leavenworth begins on June 19th 2014. |