Soulful singer, gifted songwriter and accordion player Chris Gaffney, was all about the music of the American Southwest. Although Chris did not make many inroads into the pockets of pop music consumers, he is credited as having been influential among musicians and fans in the Southwest regions of Arizona and California where he was both … Continue reading Chris Gaffney, Sweet Southwest Soul
“The blues is all right with” Johnny Sansone. For nearly 30 years, New Orleans has been home to this electric blues singer, songwriter and musician. Born in West Orange, New Jersey in 1957, Johnny left his home state in 1975 to attend college and then moved around the east, west, Midwest and then the southern … Continue reading Johnny Sansone, Blues for The Big Easy
Musical artists, with blurred brush strokes, often blend and bleed into other genres, while some don’t cross any lines, at all. Still, other artists defy categorization, altogether. Enigmatic accordionist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Wendy McNeill, defines her own moody compositions as “Folk Noir.” With her accordion and her compelling lyrics, Wendy McNeill acknowledges folk music … Continue reading Wendy McNeill, Hardcore “Folk Noir”
Miles Hoyle’s mission statement is clearly thought out. As the visionary accordionist and multi-instrumentalist of the group “Mosquito Cabaret” explains, “our goal is the make music that knows no borders.” Their intention is to extract “a grab bag of sounds” from various cultures to create a unique sound for their band. With the use of … Continue reading Mosquito Cabaret, “Music Without Borders”
Jen Gunderman has been a musician nearly all of her life. Hailing from Topeka, Kansas, Jen made her way to the stages and studios of Nashville, Tennessee as a keyboardist and vocalist. Now, as a touring and session multi instrumentalist and Assistant Professor of Musicology, Jen earns respect among the artists and musicians in Nashville … Continue reading Jen Gunderman, in Harmony with “Guitar Town”
As a talented young musician, Jon Hammond took his surname seriously. Not to be confused with a different John, the blues guitarist, or Laurens, the inventor, Jon Hammond also earned his own standing among professional musicians in America and abroad. He is considered as one of the premier Hammond B3 players in the world … Continue reading Jon Hammond, the “Hot Kid” on the Block
Long ago in the 1980’s, there lived a bold band of ribald music makers who used the piano accordion as the backbone of their sound. Known as the Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band, they combined elements of bawdy, bravado and bayou and became the foremost dance band in Kansas City. The prairie folk journeyed from … Continue reading The Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band, a Kansas City ‘Happening’
Like a brilliant quilt, music is the fabric of a culture’s shared experience. The piano accordion is a part of the fabric. Music, like any living language, changes constantly and the pop songs we hear today may evolve into the folk songs of tomorrow. Thus, they become a piece of the quilt and part of … Continue reading The Accordion Americana Project
Rob Curto derives a great deal of satisfaction from his chosen vocation. The prolific American composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist paints a picture that the story of the accordion “involves long journeys, unexpected connections, sublime mixtures and grand emotions.” Through his recordings and performances, whether collaborating with other artists or immersed in his own original projects, … Continue reading America’s Rob Curto Brings World Music Home
Mexican Norteno is accordion centered music. Although the diatonic button accordion is favored, the genre often features the piano accordion. But, with either instrument, Latino accordionists usually do not go near the bass section and their focus is conspicuously on the treble keyboard. Jose Pavel, accordionist with the Norteno group, Los Alegres del Barranco ("The Merry … Continue reading Bravo to Jose Pavel of Los Alegres Del Barranco!
Accordion Americana 