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Highlights |
AATA Australian International Accordion Championships - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
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![]() report_2009_june_6th and report_2009_june_7th. The 2009 AATA Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival are being held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, 2009. The event has attracted competitors from China, Serbia, Croatia, New Zealand and Australia. The new Digital Accordion category will be run for the first time, and in a departure from the past, this new category will be part of the Sunday Spectacular accordion concert. Daily Reports, report_2009_june_6th and report_2009_june_7th. |
Jessica Chen wins South Pacific Championship – New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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![]() The South Pacific Accordion Championships organised by the NZAA was run in Epsom, New Zealand last weekend. The winner of the South Pacific Accordion Solo Championships was Jessica Chen of Auckland. Picture above of the prize presentation with NZAA Vice-President Harley Jones. South Pacific Daily Reports including many photos and full results is online. |
AAA Competition & Festival in Memphis, TN July 15-19, 2009by Rita Barnea |
![]() Mary Tokarski, Festival Chairman, is presenting a festival, competitions, concerts, workshops, Festival Orchestra, a performance at Graceland and much more! Among the top entertainers will be: Tony Lovello, (Liberace of the Accordion), Joe Natoli (winner of the recent Roland V Competition in Los Angeles), Randy Martin, director of the Martin School in Fullerton, California, who will conduct the AAA Festival Orchestra, Frank Busso, Sr. who will conduct the performance at Graceland. The Thursday evening entertainment will feature “Riders in the Sky” who have been playing original and classic cowboy songs for more than thirty years. The highly appealing Jeff Lisenby Ensemble will perform on the Friday evening concert on July 17. Several new categories will be included in this year’s events including: AAA Digital/Electronic International Entertainment Competition, as well as a solo category honoring “The King”, Elvis Presley. There will be an International Piano Accordion Competition with prizes funded by the Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund, Maddalena Belfiore Entertainment Competition for Female Accordionists. This competition is sponsored by the Mauro Greco family, under the auspices of the AAA. This year also marks the beginning of the Elsie M. Bennett Composition Category. All entry forms and information are available now as .pdf files on the AAA web site. |
James Crabb at the Orkney Festival, Orkney – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() On Monday June 22nd, 1pm - 2pm, at St Magnus Cathedral, Copenhagen-based accordionist duo James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll perform a programme including Stravinsky's ‘Petrouchka’. Later on June 20th, 10.15pm - 11.15pm, James Crabb and Psappha join forces to perform the thrilling music of Astor Piazzolla at Spiegeltent, Kirkwall. On Tuesday June 23rd, 3pm - 4.30pm, the film ‘Tango Maestro - The Story of Piazzolla’ will be screened at the Phoenix Cinema, Pickaquoy Centre. The following day, June 24th, 3pm to 5pm, the film ‘Tango’ (1998) will be shown at the cinema. For further information email: info@stmagnusfestival.com |
Karthause Schmülling New Book-and-Sound Editions - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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![]() The first released by Karthause Schmülling is for Frank Marocco who ranks today as one of the most important jazz accordionists worldwide and has been for decades the most sought after accordion studio musician by Hollywood film producers. As such he participated in numerous, now legendary film classics (from Dr. Zhivago to Ratatouille) and accompanied stars like Liza Minnelli, Luciano Pavarotti, and Frank Sinatra. On the three accompanying CDs Karthause Schmülling has produced, Frank Marocco is impressive in every instrumentation through his lively, spontaneous playing style whose charm and wit are incomparable. There is also a high quality printed book as well to make a package Book-and-Sound Edition. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
World Accordion Dayby Rob Howard |
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UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra presents 48th Annual Concertby Harley Jones |
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The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers presented a spectacular 48th Annual Spring Concert in Kansas City on May 31st. Performing a variety of works, the concert program included: Tambourin from Fêtes d’Hébé by Rameau/Motti, Film Noir: City at Night by famed Los Angeles composer Leonard Stack, Serenade, (Andante Cantabile) Op. 39 by Alexander Comitas, Keniade (I. On the Safari with Herbert, II. Love Play of the Hippos, III. Jumping Gazelles and IV. Meeting of the Maassai Warriors) by Fritz Dobler, Gem of the Kaipara by Gary Daverne with Kevin Friedrich as Accordion Soloist, Suite from Video Games Live (featuring music from “Halo Suite”, Coronation & Baba Yetu from Civilization IV, Bounty Hunter Theme from Advent Rising Suite and Kingdom Hearts”, arranged by Joan Cochran Sommers, with the Video Presentation by UMKC Professor Caitlin Horsmon, Faust Walzer by Gounod and Brasilia Potpouri, both arranged by Willi Munch. The 16 member group received a well deserved standing ovation for their concert from the large audience in attendance. The members of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra for this years concert were Betty Jo Simon, Ron Barrow, Joyce Davis, Kevin Friedrich, Don Lipovac, Christine Jarquio, Bob Eichkorn, Miceky Eichkorn, Karen Boocock, Samantha Jarquio, Amy Hatfield, Cathy Sue Weiss, Mary Ann Covone, Laura Lee Crandall, Nick Baker and Brian Steever. The UMKC Accordion Orchestra has released a series of six CD’s, and for more information about ordering these, or some history of the orchestra, please visit UMKC Accordion Orchestra website. |
Mario D'Amario’s Debut CD – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() Mario D'Amario is the winner of numerous top flight competitions, including those of the CIA, CMA, Castelfidardo and Ikaalinen.? The CD tracks include: ‘Jazz Medley’, ‘It’s Gonna Be Your Next’, ‘Tango Italiano’, ‘Il Postino’, ‘Casse Guelle’, ‘Carnevale’, ‘Spain’, ‘Tico Tico’, ‘Piccolo Valzer Italiano’, ‘La Tempete’, Song or SB’, ‘Aquarelli Italiani’, ‘Chico Polka’, and ‘Figaro’. For further information email: info@mariodamario.com |
Grayson Masefield Concert in Spokane - USAby Patricia Bartell |
![]() For the concert, Grayson performed both a Classical Program and Variety Program. With his great personality and amazing technique he won the hearts of the audience who gave him standing ovations and great appreciation. Spokane Concert Reviews. |
Future events |
Romano Viazzani at the White Horse Accordion Club, Wiltshire – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: jackbeecroft@blueyonder.co.uk |
‘Polka Dots’ Perform in Follies, San Diego – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The five-member San Diego accordion group, The Polka Dots, are playing in all performances. |
Pascal Contet Performances – France, Congoby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() June 13th, 9pm – Theatre du Nord, Lille; concert with comedienne Marie-Christine Barrault is part of the Lille Piano Festival June 23rd – concert during the Juin Pointe Noire Festival, N’Sango Ndji-Ndji, Brazzaville, Congo; the festival takes place from June 19th to 26th For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Victor Prieto Gigs, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() June 21st, 6pm - 55 Bar, New York; Victor Prieto Trio + One: Chris Cheek – sax, Carlo De Rosa – bass, Ferenc Nemeth - drums June 21st, 12.30pm - Blue Note, NY; Emilio Solla and NY jazz tango Project: Emilio Solla – piano, Victor Prieto – accordion, Chris Cheek – sax, Jorge Roeder – bass, Richie Barshay - drums June 23rd, 7.30pm - Jazz Standard, NY; Emilio Solla Solla and NY jazz tango Project June 18th and 25th – TBA; Electric Tango W/ Jimena Fama Victor Prieto and saxophonist Chris Cheek have just recorded a CD together, based on their original compositions. No title or release date has been announced as yet. For further information email: vpcruz@gmail.com |
23rd Clacton Summer Accordion Week, Essex – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Organiser Julie North writes: “Come and join around 30 accordionists from all over the country in an intensive and fun week of accordion orchestral playing, leading towards an exciting concert in the beautiful St. James Church on Thursday evening...... Experience a wide repertoire ranging from original works for accordion orchestra to classical and film music. This will be the 23rd year that the course has taken place, having been founded in Harwich by the late Graham Romani, and now led by Julie North and conducted by Ian Watson”. For further information email: jnorth72@hotmail.com |
CD Reviews |
Wonderlandsby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
USA News, June Edition - USAby Rita Barnea |
The new edition of the USA News, 1st June edition, is now online. |
Karthause Schmülling New Book-and-Sound Editionsby Karthause Schmulling |
Karthause Schmülling New Book-and-Sound Editions selling a new Book about Frank Marocco and 3 CD's by Frank Marocco. Sound samples online. Purchase online. |
Zoltan Orosz new CDsby Zoltan Orosz |
A new site selling 3 CDs titled "Accordion In Black And White", "Thousandfaced Accordion" and "Under The Paris Sky" with sound samples. Music performed by Zoltan Orosz. Purchase online. |
2009 Coupe Mondiale Website Update - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
2009 Coupe Mondiale Website Update is now online. There is a new date of 30th June for registration at the discount price. Many other minor updates online too. |
2009 NZAA Daily Reports Results and Photos Online - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
2009 NZAA Daily Reports, photos and results for the 2009 South Pacific International and New Zealand National Accordion Championships and Festival 2009, Saturday 30th May and Sunday 31st May are now online. South Pacific Daily Reports. |
Updated AATA Website, Download Program - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
Updated AATA website for the 2009 Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, 2009. The program for the event is available online now as a download. |
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