Tracey Collins is sixteen years of age and lives on the North Shore in Auckland, New Zealand. She first became interested in the accordion at the age of seven and commenced tuition shortly thereafter. She has been a regular participant in both local and national championships and has frequently performed with distinction. Her ability has been greatly assisted and nurtured by the excellent accordion orchestra programme that exists locally. Tracey has progressed through several orchestras, culminating playing in the very successful Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra that toured Europe in late 1996. Tracey entertains regularly at the local La Tropezienne French Café. Tracey Collins's CD arrived to me just in time for Christmas, so I played it over and over during Christmas Holidays as it is exactly what you need for the holiday time: it is relaxing, pleasant and easy to listen to. Tracey presents her self on this recording as a young entertainer with a wide repertoire consisting of classical, French and Latin music. The tunes she plays are all very well known and very popular too. Her performing style perfectly suits characteristics of the music she plays: it is light, charming and enthusiastic. I cannot avoid mentioning a word, which in my mind associates with Tracey's performance : YOUNG ! Her playing is so fresh and full of energy, and it is so obvious that she enjoys playing accordion, that cannot be unnoticed. Some aspects of her performance are 'young' too, but I have no doubt that Tracey will further develop as a musician. Very, very pleasant recording. |
