Famous in Mexico as “El Rebelde del acordeón” (the rebel of the accordion), Celso Piña earned an international reputation on the diatonic accordion as an exponent of the genre, cumbia rebajada (Coom-bee-a Ray-buh-HA-da). Early in the 1980’s, Celso was performing as a norteño accordionist with his three brothers, Eduardo, Rubén and Enrique. But, even at … Continue reading Celso Piña, The Rebel of the Accordion
Pauline Oliveros always thought outside of 'the box.' During her sixty-year career as a composer, musician, performer, researcher, writer and educator in the field of sound, she utilized a "conventional instrument," the piano accordion, as an unconventional tool in her work. Not only did she focus on music as a sequence of sound, but she … Continue reading The Maverick, Pauline Oliveros–Don’t Call Her a ‘Lady Composer’
Music changes along with new discoveries, major social or political events or technological developments. Art and music reflect our reaction, because human beings are impacted by change, and have a deep need to express it through the arts. As part of the continuum of adjusting and adapting, some artists naturally look back to tradition, as … Continue reading The Electrifying Cathie Travers
Sad news was received about Buckwheat Zydeco. He passed away on September 24, 2016 from cancer. Stanley Dural, also known as Buckwheat Zydeco, will be greatly missed. To mark his passing, I am running the following article that I previously posted on this site, September 2015. Rest in peace. As a young child growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Stanley Dural, … Continue reading The Legendary Buckwheat Zydeco
I have sad news to share about the great Dick Contino. We are sorry to learn that he has passed away, April 19, 2017. In honor of his memory, I am sending you this post that I wrote previously Rest in peace, Soldier. By Christa T. for Accordion Americana Memorial Day is a day … Continue reading The Extraordinary Dick Contino
The late Country Music Scholar, Charles K. Wolfe wrote of Pee Wee King, "Pee Wee never picked cotton, never hopped a freight train, never worked as a song plugger in Nashville…unlike so many of his fellow members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Pee Wee King was not known as a guitar … Continue reading Nashville’s Influential Game Changer: Pee Wee King
Danny Federici was never one to try to steal the spotlight. It was not in his character. But, though sweet-natured and shy, his presence was always felt by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and by their fans. After over 40 years The E Street Band was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll … Continue reading Danny Federici, Founding Member of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Wilene "Sally Ann" Forrester She was born, Wilene Russell, in 1922. Her family called her Goldie Sue. Her classmates called her Billie. She performed as Sally Ann Forrester. Was the confusion created by having too many names the reason why Wilene Forrester is slow to be recognized as the "First Woman in Bluegrass"? All humor aside, in 1943, Wilene was … Continue reading Wilene “Sally Ann” Forrester, First Woman in Bluegrass
Helen Carter The Carter Family, among the original Americana performers, were the first to become well-known outside of their region. Though they were unassuming and humble people, they had an enormous impact on music both within, and outside of America and brought American Country and Roots music to the forefront. Helen Carter continued their … Continue reading Helen Carter of Mother Maybelle and The Carter Sisters
Born in the tiny town of Norway, Michigan, Art Van Damme was not expected to become a serious American Jazz musician. Classically trained as a pianist and motivated to become a professional musician, Art was a performing musician by age nine in a local theatre in upper Michigan. His family moved to Chicago when he … Continue reading Remembering Art Van Damme, America’s Foremost Jazz Accordionist
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