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Highlights |
A Roland is Born in Acquaviva Picena - Italy
Jim Johnstone (1937-2008), Scotland – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival, Scotland - UK
Thom Hardaker, Young Musician Concert, Keighley - UK
Future events |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Madrid - Spain
‘Accordion Monsters Invade West Coast Cities!’ - USA
André Loppe New DVD and Performances – Belgium, France
Drama: ‘Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, Scotland – UK
Flaco Jiménez Concerts, Texas – USA
Eddie Bronson at Cafe Carnivale, Sydney – Australia
Emily Smith to Perform in USA and Canada
CD Reviews |
New and Updated Sites |
New Music - Don Grzanna
New Music - Alexander Shirunov
New Features - Alexander Poeluev
New Music - Gary Dahl
New Information - RMAC
New Photos - Grayson Masefield
New Forms - Coupe Mondiale
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Highlights |
BCA Francis Wright Memorial Scholarship II, Leicester - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
  The 2nd BCA Francis Wright Memorial Scholarship is to be held on Sunday September 21st in Leicester. The three finalists selected are Caitlin Barnes-Davies, Thom Hardaker and Julie Langton.Caitlin is a former NAO national champion and a student of Stella Hughes. Thom a former student of Harry Hinchcliffe, has just completed his first year of study at the Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory in St Petersburg under Professor Oleg Sharov. Julie is the reigning NAO national champion and a student of Gina Brannelli. All have successfully attained Grade 8 BCA Examinations (or higher). The jury will consist of Raymond Bodell (BCA Principal), Alistair Gillespie (Senior Examiner), and Frederick Parnell. The British College of Accordionists, founded in 1936, has been offering graded examinations and diplomas for over 70 years and Francis Wright was for more than 30 years Chairman of the BCA Board of Administration. For further information email: bcaexams@btinternet.com |
A Roland is Born in Acquaviva Picena - Italyby Kevin Friedrich |
  During my recent visit to the Roland Headquarters in Europe where I met with top Roland officials including the President of Roland Europe and the heads of the V-Accordion and Marketing divisions, I was able to visit the Roland production line from beginning to end, for this exciting new family of instruments.I have written an extensive article with lots of photos about Roland manufacturing and their different products. A Roland is Born in Acquaviva Picena |
Jim Johnstone (1937-2008), Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
  Jim Johnstone, widely acknowledged as one of Scotland’s leading accordionists, passed away peacefully last week at the age of 71. He spent the last few years in a nursing home following a severe stroke that left him permanently disabled.Jim Johnstone was one of Scotland’s best-known dance bandleaders, and his long career bridged the post-war era of Jimmy Shand and Bobby MacLeod with the present day scene. Jim learned his trade by forming his own Scottish dance band when he was still a teenager. Later, after National Service in the army, he played with the bands of Andrew Rankine and Jimmy Shand. Playing with Rankine sharpened Jim up as this band, unlike most others, went into BBC broadcasts without rehearsals. “Rankine was good for me, though. I was thrown in at the deep end, but it made you work all the harder.” Jim’s period of playing with the great Jimmy Shand involved lots of gigs, tours, recordings and broadcasts. Jim recalled: “He was a man of incredible stamina. We did a tour of one-night stands in Australia, which exhausted me but not Jimmy. He thrived on it!” After Jimmy Shand, Jim played with Jimmy Blue. He then formed his own very successful band, which travelled on White Heather Club tours, resulting in Jim’s band becoming very well known around and beyond Scotland. Eventually, Jim wound down his touring, and became semi-professional. Over the years, however, his band made many high quality recordings, and these remain as a reminder of a very fine career spent presenting Scottish dance music at home and abroad. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Summer School, Zalec - Sloveniaby Gary Daverne |
 I have just returned from a weeklong summer accordion music school in Zalec, Slovenia. There were about 40 students, with ages ranging from 11 to 26, and including some very fine players. This was a first for Slovenia and was brilliantly organised by accordion teacher and conductor, Andreja Turnsek.The days were taken up by individual tutoring from top European accordionists and teachers with a three-hour rehearsal at the end of the day, usually from 6pm until 9pm. If there was a concert planned that evening, the practice was from 5-8pm. The final concert was held in a lovely Baroque concert hall in the neighbouring town of Celje on the Saturday evening, involving three conductors, many solo items, and a very fine accordion quartet. The concert lasted about 80 minutes, without an interval. I was very happy to see they have recorded some of my compositions on CD in Slovenia and also, to see how many of my titles were in their library, purchased from Deffner Music Publications, USA. For further information of Gary Daverne original music and CD’s: www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/daverne/index.htm |
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival, Scotland - UKby Rob Howard |
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  The Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2008, a weekend of Scottish music and dancing, took place on July 4th, 5th and 6th at venues in Arbroath: the British Legion, Viewfield Hotel, Meadowbank Inn and Community Centre.This non-competitive festival includes concerts and pub sessions, but the focus is on dancing and dance bands. Performing this year were the bands led by accordionists Marian Anderson, Steven Carcary, Neil Hardie, Iain MacPhail, Tom Orr (picture above left), Craig Paton, George Rennie, Davie Stewart, Liam Stewart, and Gary Sutherland. Other accordionists performing included the Bon Accords, Lynne Christie and Jim Halcrow. A DVD and CD of the weekend’s music will be released in October. A CD was released for the 2007 festival, cover picture left. |
Thom Hardaker, Young Musician Concert, Keighley - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
 On July 5th 20008 Thom Hardaker took part in a ‘Young Musicians in Concert’ event staged by the Keighley Vocal Union. Thom started his performance with ‘Prelude and Fugue’, by Bach, followed by ‘Chau Paris’, by Astor Piazolla. He then concluded his first session with ‘Wedding in the Farm’, by Basula, to rapturous applause from the audience, many of whom had never heard Thom play, and did not know what to expect!In the second half they heard ‘March’ and ‘Dance of the Shepherds’, by Tchaikovsky, then ‘Amid the dale so wide and even’, by Panitsky. His final rendition was a Russian folk piece called ‘Oh You Wintery Winter’. The whole evening was very enjoyable, all the young musicians excelled, and the audience were treated to a performance of accordion music played at it’s very best! Thom was a former student of Harry Hinchcliffe, and is currently a student of the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia. Thom, who is studying classical accordion under Professor Oleg Sharov, has successfully completed the conservatory’s one year preparatory programme and is about to start the four year course which teaches up to doctorate level giving a D.M.A. qualification (Doctor of Musical Arts). |
Future events |
Polka Dance, Minnesota - USAby Rob Howard |
  On Sunday August 10th Craig Ebel's DyVersaCo Polka Band performs at Withrow Ballroom, 12169 Keystone Avenue North, Hugo Minnesota 55038, from 2pm to 6pm. The event is part of a weekend festival called Withrow Days.Craig Ebel's DyVersaCo plays a wide variety of music from polkas, waltzes and schottisches to Cajun and Country. These multitalented musicians not only perform different types of music, but also different styles of polka music. The band features Mike Cielecki on accordion and Craig Ebel on bandoneon. Craig Ebel, the leader, can also be heard weekly on "It's Polka Time" on radio stations throughout the country. For further information email: mossak@popp.net |
Gorka Hermosa Concerts, Madrid - Spainby Harley Jones |
 Spanish accordionist Gorka Hermosa performs as follows:August 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th - Theater Pradillo, Madrid: ‘Los cinco sentidos’ (‘The five senses’) - Spectacle of flamenco dance. August 22nd, 23rd and 24th - EXPO of Zaragoza: Saioa (voice and guitar) and Gorka Hermosa, presenting the new CD ‘Matrioska heart’, by Saioa. September 5th – Gorka Hermosa Trio perform music by Bach, Messiaen and Piazzolla at the Palace of Revillagigedo, Gijón September 6th – Gipuzkoa, Zumarraga: Gorka Hermosa Quintet perform ‘IBERIA in FUSION’. For further information email: gorka@gorkahermosa.com |
‘Accordion Monsters Invade West Coast Cities!’ - USAby Rob Howard |
 The ‘Monsters of Accordion 2008’ tour takes place throughout the Western United States during August. Accordionists Jason Webley, Mark Growden, Amy Denio, and Duckmandu, plus a variety of special guests, share the bill for what they call “ten nights of squeezebox mayhem from Los Angeles to Seattle”.The ‘Accordion Monsters’ do not play a program of polkas, but will be delivering five evenings of squeezebox-fuelled drinking songs, punk rock covers, experimental pop, dark tangos and sultry dirges. "I meet so many amazing accordion players in my travels, and I thought it would be really fun to bring some of the best together," explains Webley, who organized the tour. Referring to the fact that the players on this tour all perform rock and world music to young audiences, and have international followings, Jason Webley comments: "These things move in cycles, you know. I can foresee a day when playing the electric guitar will be a laughable thing, and people will be embarrassed to admit they ever took guitar lessons as kids." The ‘Monsters of Accordion’ are playing from August 14th to 23rd in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Eugene, Portland and Seattle. Their dates are: August 14th - Church House Theater, Santa Rosa 15th - Safari Sam's, Los Angeles 16th - 12 Galaxies (21+), San Francisco 17th - 21 Grand, Oakland, CA 18th – Octagon, Garberville, CA 19th - The Black Sheep, Ashland, CA 20th - Wow Hall, Eugene, Oregon 21st - Kennedy School Theater, Portland, OR- 22nd - Caterina Winery, Spokane, Washington - 23rd - Fremont Abbey (upstairs), Seattle, WA Accordion Monster Master Classes: August 17th, 3pm - 21 Grand, Oakland, CA 24th, 3pm - 1412 Gallery, Seattle, WA For further information email: jason@jasonwebley.com |
André Loppe New DVD and Performances – Belgium, Franceby Rob Howard |
 Belgian musette accordionist André Loppe has released a new DVD ‘Nos Régions au Son de l’Accordéon’. Born in 1958, André Loppe performs extensively throughout Belgium and France, and is one of the leading lights of his genre. He is a regular at the annual Chartres Accordion Festival, and has numerous recordings to his name.During August, André Loppe performs as follows: August 14th, 9pm - Grand bal populaire, village podium, Gernelle, France 16th, 3.30pm – dance, Salle Marbisoux, Marbaix, Belgium 17th, 3pm – dance, ‘Les Echos du Ton’, Ethe 19th, 9pm – Grand Festival de Accordeon, Ayen, France 30th, 1pm – ‘Passage Oublié’, Florennes, Belgium 31st, 3pm - dance, ‘Les Champs Elysées’, Saint-Quentin For further information email: Andreloppe@skynet.be |
Drama: ‘Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 The play ‘The Accidental Death of an Accordionist’, first produced in 2001, embarks on a 9-week tour from July 2008, taking in the Highlands & Islands, Glenkinchie Distillery, a 3-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Argyll & Bute, Aberdeenshire and finally Moray. The cast includes accordionist Sandy Brechin.The advance publicity says: “Glengirnie's holding its grand ceilidh and the village is out in force. Master of Ceremonies for the evening John Angus is loosening up his vocal chords with a couple of drams, Aly the accordionist and the band have promised not to be late, the raffle's ready, the bar's well stocked and Jean's even sold a ticket to the Laird. But behind the scenes, there's trouble brewin'! You’re invited to take your partners for the first dance and join the craic… but watch your back, because just below the surface of this Highland idyll lurks deceit, mistrust, jealousy, hatred and bloody revenge!” The performance dates for this interactive comedy ceilidh murder mystery theatre show from Right Lines Productions include: August 4th – 23rd, 10.30pm (not Sundays) – Acoustic Music Centre, Edinburgh August 24th to September 8th – various locations in the Western Isles September 9th, 8pm – New Deer Public Hall, Turriff 10th, 8pm – Victoria & Albert Memorial Hall, Ballater 11th, 8pm – The Loft, Keith 13th, 8pm – Tullynessle & Forbes Village Hall, Alford 16th, 8pm – Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Drumnadrochit 17th, 8pm – British Legion Hall, Moray 18th, 8pm – Lossiemouth Town Hall, Moray 19th, 8pm – Glenlivet Public Hall, Moray 20th, 8pm – Miltonduff Hall, Moray For further information email: euan@rightlines.net |
Flaco Jiménez Concerts, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
 Flaco Jiménez (born 1939) is a legendary figure in the genre known alternatively as Tex-Mex, Conjunto or Tejano. Jiménez has performed in many parts of the world, and has done more than anyone to spread the music of the people of Mexican origin living in Texas internationally.He has also performed and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, Los Lobos, The Mavericks, Bryan Ferry, The Clash, The Chieftains, Jimmy Sturr, Willie Nelson, Ry Cooder, David Hidalgo, and the Rolling Stones. Flaco Jiménez performs as follows: August 16th - Tejano Music National Convention, Dallas, Texas August 23rd - Nelson City Dance Hall & Party House, Boerne, Texas September 13th - Maverick Plaza Downtown (sitting in with Tex-Mex Experience), San Antonio, Texas September 20th - Continental Club, Houston, Texas November 2nd - Dia De Los Muertos Festival, Birmingham, Alabama For further information email: info@flacomjimenezmusic.com |
Eddie Bronson at Cafe Carnivale, Sydney – Australiaby Rob Howard |
| Accordionist Eddie Bronson, Anatoli Torjinski – cello, and Leonid Beshlei - saxophone, keyboard, accordion - share a wealth of experience playing in many musical genres. The trio also shares a special interest in Klezmer music, which they combine with various other styles including jazz, tango and French musette. Eddie Bronson leads the trio in concert on Sunday August 31st, 5.30pm and 8.15pm, at Glen Street Theatre, Sydney. Cafe Carnivale is Sydney's year-round world music festival, presenting authentic and inspiring performances of the music of the diverse cultures of our city. Established in the year 2000 to provide performance opportunities for Sydney musicians of non-English speaking backgrounds, Cafe Carnivale is a celebration of music from around the world. For further information email: musicaviva@mva.org.au |
Emily Smith to Perform in USA and Canadaby Kevin Friedrich |
 Scottish singer/accordionist Emily Smith will be performing in Canada and New York State in August. Though only in her mid twenties, award winning Scottish singer and songwriter Emily Smith has firmly established herself as one of Scotland’s leading lights in folk music.Since becoming BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2002 Smith has gone on to gain further accolades. She gained an Honors degree in Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Smith became the first ever winner from Scotland in the USA Songwriting Competition in 2005 after winning the folk section with her song ‘Edward of Morton’, another of her songs ‘Always a Smile’ was short listed in the final ten. To date she has released two studio albums. Her appearances in the USA and Canada are as follows: August 4th to 9th - Celtic Roots Festival, Goderich, Ontario, Canada August 12th, 7.30pm - Rum Runner, Kitchener, Ontario August 14th, 7.00 pm - Emmanuel Howard Park United Church, 214 Wright Ave, Roncesvalles, Toronto August 16th, all day event - Amherst Museum Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Amherst, New York, USA For further information e-mail: info@emilysmith.org |
CD Reviews |
J.S. BACH, "I quaderni"by Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
New Edition - USA Newsby USA News |
| The August edition of the USA News is now online. Also featuring an article about Roland production and the Roland accordion factory. |
New Music - Don Grzannaby |
| The website has been updated to include many .pdf samples of his original and arranged music. The site also includes a printable order form for his sheet music and CD and Cassette recordings. Please visit: www.accordions.com/dongrzanna |
New Music - Alexander Shirunovby Alexander Shirunov |
| Young Russian concert artiste Alexander Shirunov who appears around the world at many major accordion festivals, has expanded his website to include a complete translation in Russian. Please visit: www.accordions.com/shirunov |
New Features - Alexander Poeluevby American Accordionists' Association |
| The website has include the latest information for their 70th Anniversary Festival to be held in the Washington DC area from August 13th to 17th 2008. Featuring Russian accordionist Alexander Poeluev the festival also features three international competitions with $12,000.00 in Prizes as well as the annual National Competition and Festivals. Please visit: www.ameraccord.com |
New Music - Gary Dahlby Gary Dahl |
| His site has been updated to include new music samples as well as .mp3 files of selected works. Please visit: www.accordions.com/garydahl |
New Information - RMACby Rocky Mountain Accordion Celebration |
| The RMAC in Philipsburg, Montana on Friday and Saturday, August 1st and 2nd 2008, has been updated to include the latest information regarding its festival. Please visit: www.accordions.com/rmac |
New Photos - Grayson Masefieldby Grayson Masefield |
| His website has been updated with revised text including his recent international competition successes and new photos. Please visit: www.accordions.com/gmasefield |
New Forms - Coupe Mondialeby Coupe Mondiale |
| The website has been updated with new online entry forms systems. Please visit: www.coupemondiale.org |
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