Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
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Highlights |
Frankfurt Musikmesse Live-Report - Gemanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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See all about the Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2011_Accordion_Live_Report by Holda Paoletti-Kampl - Reports from each day of the Musikmesse Fair, live. New Products, artists, producers and enthusiasts meeting on the international fairground....check out the every day Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2011_Accordion_Live_Report ! The 2011 Frankfurt Musikmesse takes place from April 6th to 8th, with a day for the public on April 9th. The hours of opening are from 9am to 6pm. The fair has international exhibitors from 46 countries presenting musical instruments, music software and hardware, sheet music, accessories and services connected with music making. Public day has many accordion demonstrators at the displays of the accordion manufacturers. Advertisers displaying are: Baffetti Location 3.1 H20 Ballone Burini Lido & C. s.r.l., Location 3.1 G20 Beltuna Akkordeons und Harmonikas, Location 3.1 F12 Borsini-Accordions & Exp. srl, Location 3.1 G17 Bugari Armando srl Location 3.1 G23 Cagnoni S.p.A., Location, 3.1 G19 Delicia Akkordeon Service Location 3.1 H13 Excelsior Accordions, Location 3.1 F15 Galassi S.N.C. di Roberto e Renzo Galassi, Location 3.1 G51S Harmonikas_Titlbach Location 3.1 G16 Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co., Location 3.1 F60 International Music Company (IMC) Location 3.1 H21 Italcinte di Beniamino Bugiolacchi, Location 3.1 G51P Master MIDI Production http://www.master-production.com Location 3.1 G51Q Mengascini Nello S.r.l., Location 3.1 G51T MusicTech snc, Location 3.1 H24 ORLA S.r.l., Location 5.0 B23 Paolo Soprani, Suoni s.r.l., Location 3.1 F19 Pasco Italia snc di Breccia e Moreschi, Location 3.1 F21 Piermaria accordions, Location 3.1 H21 Pigini Srl, Location 3.1 F15 Roland Elektronische Musikinstrumente Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Location 3.1 F13 & Location 5.0 B38 Scandalli, Suoni s.r.l., Location 3.1 F19 Siwa & Figli Accordions http://www.siwafigli.com Location 3.1 G51R Soundwear Dimbath e.K. Location 3.1 G18 and Location 1.1 G10 Victoria Accordions Company s.r.l. Location 3.1 J23 Zero Sette Location 3.1 G23 |
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BREAKING NEWS! - Tony Dannon Passes Away, Michigan - USAby Rita Barnea |
![]() Further information and a full obituary article is online on the Accordion USA News. |
Master Classes by Friedrich Lips at CSMA, Zaragoza - Spainby Raquel Ruiz |
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![]() Russian concert accordionist and professor Friedrich Lips (picture far left) was recently at the CSMA (Superior Conservatory of Music in Aragon) in Zaragoza, Spain. The accordion professor at CSMA, Angel Luis Castaño (picture left), organized this master class for his students. CSMA is one of the advanced conservatories in Spain, programing master classes, postgraduate studies, and collaborations with foreign professors such as Mika Väyrynen, Chumachenko, Arto Noras, etc… and now Friedrich Lips. For three days, from March 11th to 13th, the students had the opportunity to display their programs for Friedrich Lips. The students came from different regions of Spain and one is from Brazil. The students played music by composers such as Bonakov, Gubaidulina, Tchaikin, Solotarew, Berio, Nordheim, Bach, etc… On Sunday Friedrich Lips gave a conference about the repertory and musical education in Russia, presenting a diploma to each student. He also expressed his pleasure with the high level of these young Spanish accordionists. Angel Luis Castaño 7 CD's online. Friedrich Lips 23 CD's online. |
5th Accordion Art Festival, Pineto – Italyby Rob Howard |
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![]() The festival includes: - The Italia Award, an international competition open to classic-virtuoso-electronic accordion, piano/keyboard, guitar, singing, jazz, electronic accordion, composition, groups. Download Regulations: 2011ArtFestival - The Orpheus Award – a critics award for accordion CDs and MP3, separated into classical, jazz and world music sections. The Artistic Director for the Orpheus Award is Fabio Ciminera - National selection competition for the 2011 CIA Coupe Mondiale - National selection competition for the 2011 CMA Trophée Mondial - Roland National V-Accordion Qualifications for an Italian to be selected to represent Italy at the Roland International Finals in Rome, October 2011. For further information email: info@accordionartfestival.com Renzo Ruggieri 8 CD's available online. Salvatore Cauteruccio CD available online. |
Mary Tokarski Honored in Whippany, New Jersey - USAby Rita Barnea |
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![]() The event was honoring Mary Tokarski. In addition to receiving this award, AAA and ATG Board member Mary Tokarski presented a fascinating, informative, and entertaining workshop entitled, “Growing up with the Accordion Greats”. She spoke about her music teacher, Mike Fernino, and what it was like to participate in competitions, hear the great accordionists such as Carmen Carrozza and Charles Magnante perform and how it influenced her life. Mary shared old photos and score sheets, etc. She also graciously answered all questions. Jim Vandelly served as MC. Bruce Gassman, Dr. Lou Persic, Silvia Eberly and Mike Legget entertained during the dinner. The Westmont Accordion Orchestra conducted by Stanley Darrow, the Potomac Accordion Ensemble conducted by Joan Grauman, and the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra conducted by AAA President Linda Reed were the featured accordion groups. AAA President Linda Soley Reed made a special honorary presentation (picture above left) to Mary Tokarski designating her as "AAA Artist in Residence" . Joanna Arnold Darrow of AAMS (picture above right) also made a presentation to Mary honoring her for her devotion to the advancement of the accordion. Mary Tokarski CD's available on line. K Trio CD's available on line. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Santa Maria Accordion Band, Valletta – Maltaby Joseph P. Grima |
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The Santa Maria Accordion Band, the only one of its kind in Malta, was formed in 1992. A unique ensemble, The Santa Maria Accordion Band is led by one of the foremost accordion teachers and band directors, Marthese Busuttil Cassar, L.B.C.A. Each of the seventeen band members play a variety of acoustic songs from classical, tango, folk, country, and popular music. Together as a band, they play at celebrations, community events, festivals, church services, and national events. The main goal of the orchestra is to share enjoyment of all the players and audience, while promoting this beautiful instrument, the accordion. Accordion music is one of the most popular forms of live music for events. An accordion band has a special sound all unto its own that creates a feeling no other band can. Furthermore, Raymond Bodell, Principal BCA (UK - picture with orchestra below) is a regular visitor twice yearly to Malta as he conducts the Maltese BCA - British College of Accordionists examinations. We are preparing some information for World Accordion Day 2011, to be listed. For further information email: josephpgrima@gmail.com |
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Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends, Dargaville - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() For the 4th time, the concert ‘Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends’ was held in Dargaville, New Zealand at the Lighthouse Function Center. For a full report of the concert, with photos and background information: Dargaville2011 This picturesque Center overlooking the town and river, was sold out with quite a few people being turned away. Dargaville was Kevin Friedrich's home town before he moved to the USA at 18 years of age, to go to UMKC University to gain his degree majoring in accordion. Kevin Friedrich returns to New Zealand annually to make this fundraising concert for the Dargaville museum where there is a permanent historical accordion display titled 'Accordion Gems - A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time'. This display was initiated and developed by Kevin over recent years. The concert included Kevin Friedrich performing a very popular solo program of novelty pieces, entertainment works and a few classical selections. The concert closed with three duos by Kevin with internationally popular accordionist Lionel Reekie. After the concert was an Open Jam Session and Sing-A-Long and two other accordionists, well known internationally, Harley and Maurice Jones joined others to make an exciting jam session. For a full report of the concert, with photos and background information: Dargaville2011 |
The Yetties Retirement Weekend, Dorset - UKby Rob Howard |
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The Yetties, comprising Pete Shutler (accordion), Bonny Sartin (vocals) and Mac McCullough (guitar, banjo) are retiring this weekend from performing after over 40 years in folk music. From April 7th to 9th, The Yetties ‘Final Fling’ retirement weekend in Sherborne, Dorset, includes a ceilidh on the Friday night and a concert on Saturday evening, both of which have long been sold out, though there are still a few left for the Sunday afternoon farewell, chat, cup of tea, bun and auction of Yetties memorabilia etc. Since turning professional in 1967 The Yetties have taken their music far beyond the villages of Dorset, traveling around Europe and to Thailand, Nepal, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, Sudan, India, Bangladesh, The Maldives, The Philippines, Ethiopia and Canada. They have recorded 45 albums, presenting a mixture of songs, music and humour. For years they had a regular series on BBC Radio 2 called 'Cider & Song', and are probably the only performers to have worked on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. For further information email: info@theyetties.co.uk |
Grand Opening Party at Smythe's Accordion Center, California - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Smythe's Accordion Center is situated at 2511 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612. For further information email: smytheaccordion@gmail.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Readers’ Comments…by Rob Howard |
![]() LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Subject: The Squeeze Editor, I started reading your excellent on line magazine after reading about it in the Accordion News, here in the UK, published by the sadly missed Malcolm Gee (picture left). I must say how much I enjoy reading "The Squeeze" even though most of the articles are not local. One thing I do feel you could possibly benefit from is to have a readers 'letters page'. One of the areas I always enjoy reading in a paper based magazine is the letters page. In your last editorial you say that you welcome e-mail from on line accordionists. How about sharing them with the rest of us. Anyhow, thanks for a great service. It's good to know there is someone out there pulling accordionists world-wide together ! David Kemp Birmingham, England Thanks for the nice comments. Firstly, I know we don't have much news come in from the UK, which is very disappointing. We are going to contact the NAO (National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom) and ask them to send us news. Your idea of having a letters page was extremely well received. We will put this at the bottom of the news each week, along with my editors note and will have a link to it from the top of the page. Thanks again. Your input is much appreciated! |
Future events |
Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham On Tour, England, Channel Islands - UKby Rob Howard |
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The highly popular Scottish fiddle and accordion duo Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham are currently on another tour “down south”. Their unique brand of traditional folk music excites audiences everywhere, making them one of Scotland’s premier exports. Their dates are: April 8th - Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 4SG April 9th - The Platform, Station Building, Central Promenade, Morecambe LA4 4DB April 10th - District Arts Association, Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield WS13 6LU April 12th - Arts Centre, Market Place, Pocklington, Yorkshire YO42 2AR April 13th - Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DL April 14th - Victoria Hall, Victoria Rd, Shipley, Saltaire, West Yorkshire BD18 3JS April 15th - Sheffield Cathedral, Church St, South Yorkshire S1 1HA April 16th - King Edward VI Community College, Ashburton Rd, Totnes, Devon RQ9 5JX April 17th - Folk Club, The Sun Inn, Sun Street, Hitchin, Herts April 18th - Folk Song Club, The Village Club, High Street, Nettlebed, Oxfordshire RG9 5DD April 19th, 8pm - St. James Concert & Assembly Hall, College St, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 2NZ April 20th - The Island Hall, Royal Connaught Square, Alderney, CI, GY9 3UE April 21st, 8pm - Jersey Arts Centre, Phillips St, St Helier JE2 4SW |
BeauSoleil with Michael Doucet in Concert, Louisiana – USAby Rob Howard |
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On Sunday April 10th, 2pm-5pm, the cajun band BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet perform at Gonzales Music, Jambalaya Park, Gonzales, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The band line up includes Michael Doucet - violin, guitar, accordion, mandolin, vocals, David Doucet - guitar, vocals, Jimmy Breaux – accordion, Billy Ware – percussion, Mitch Reed - fiddle, bass, and Tommy Alesi – drums. |
Classical Accordion Recital at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: paul@theaccordionist.com |
‘Accordions Now! 2011’, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Artists and presenters include: the ‘Accordions Now!' Festival Orchestra, Rita Davidson, Stephen Dominko, Fabio & Fabio, Sam Falcetti, Lynda Fish, Tony Lovello, Gary Morin, Donna Maria Regis, Jerry Tramontozzi, Arthur Welch, with more to be announced. The festival includes concerts, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, open mike night, jam sessions, vendor exhibits, door prize drawing, festive lunch buffet, cocktail reception, gala banquet, etc. For further information email: accman@accordionconnection.com |
Accordion Master Class with Marco Lo Russo, Latina – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The proposed course offers modular options, studying the accordion from a basic level to advanced level. The course includes repertoire, styles such as Jazz, Musette, Tango traditional and modern, avant-garde, popular music, and transcriptions of classical repertoire. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Jack Emblow & Tony Compton Concert, West Sussex - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Emblow and Compton are veterans of the British accordion scene, and have been performing together since the 1987 Autumn Accordion Festival at Caister, Norfolk. Their ‘easy listening’ formula and style of jazz is perennially popular, featuring standards by the likes of Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Gershwin, Irving Berlin, etc. They have recorded two albums, ‘Flying High’ and ‘Jack and Tony’. For further information email: BHKCLUB@AOL.COM |
Irish Open Accordion Festival 2011, County Meath – Republic of Irelandby Yvonne Chilton, Secretary Irish Acc. Assoc. |
![]() Special guests include groups: The St. Petersburg Youth Accordion Orchestra (MD Vladimir S. Iljenkov), and the ‘Arts Across Borders’ Ensemble (featuring accordions, harps, flutes, bagpipes and percussion in an exciting dynamic mix) performing newly commissioned works from Irish composers. Also Renzo Ruggieri - leading Italian jazz accordionist will be making a concert on Saturday evening and Igor Zavadsky - 'Honoured Artist of Ukraine' will also be performing. This will be an exciting event featuring traditional Irish music, dancing and entertainment. For further information email Yvonne Chilton: chilton_accordion@hotmail.com Renzo Ruggieri 8 CD's available online. |
36th International Accordion Competition, Pula - Croatiaby Rob Howard |
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The 36th Pula International Accordion Competition takes place from April 19th to 22nd at Dom Hrvatskih branitelja, Leharova 1, Pula. The festival, organized by OKUD Istra, includes a wide range of competition sections for various age ranges, and for solo, duet, ensemble and orchestras. For further information email: okud.istra@pu.t-com.hr |
Victor Prieto Shows, New York, California - USAby Rob Howard |
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Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto’s concert schedule includes shows with the Maria Schneider Orchestra and Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn. Victor Prieto writes, “I just arrived in NY yesterday from performing with The Maria Schneider Orchestra in San Francisco - amazing music and musicians. This year I am involved in such as great projects, I am really excited playing and learning so much music”. April 24th – Victor Prieto Trio, City Winery, New York May 22nd – with Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn, UU Congregation, Manhasset, NY May 25th, 8pm - Jazz Standard, New York June 12th – with The Maria Schneider Orchestra, Ojai Music Festival, California June 13th - with The Maria Schneider Orchestra, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
CD Reviews |
Tango CD by “Lo Que Vendrà” Ensembleby Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
Charnwood Publications releases 4 new piecesby Charnwood Publishing |
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Franck Angelis release 1 new workby Franck Angelis |
![]() This wonderful composition has been used extensively around the world in solo format by 2009 Coupe Mondiale winner Grayson Masefield (New Zealand). You can hear it being performed on Video at the 2010 Trophee Mondial in Spain by Grayson Masefield which he won. This will be a real audience favorite and great for competitions too. High quality video, right click to download. Video: Hommage A Paco (37MB) |
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Peter Piccini releases 3 new worksby Peter Piccini |
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Gary Dahl updated 4 music and release 1 new muiscby Gary Dahl |
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Sebastiano Cali release 1 new workby Sebastiano Cali |
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Franco Cambareri releases 4 new compositionsby Franco Cambareri |
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April 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st Aprilby Werner Weibert |
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April 2011 Diatonic News Online 1st April |
April Accordion USA News Online 1st Aprilby Rita Barnea |
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April Accordion USA News Online 1st April |
April Accordion Russia News Online 1st Aprilby Alexander Selivanov |
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April Accordion Russia News Online 1st April |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
New Zealand Accordion Champions - Contact Information Wantedby Harley Jones | Modify | Delete |
![]() Patricia Erickson (Bish), Lynn Osbaldiston (apparently now in Australia), Grant Pearson, Bruce Skelton, Alison Blunden and Win Tate (nee Schmits, Hamilton). Please email Harley Jones: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com |
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