Garth Hudson and members of The Band were contemporaries of both Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan and came of age during a magical era in American music. Tired of war and depleted of creative energy, America, after World War II became highly focused on regenerating and moving forward. It was a time of reinvention … Continue reading The Remarkable Garth Hudson of The Band
Photo by Bob Zink Grammy Award winning Accordionist, Singer and Producer, Joel Guzman was born and raised in the state of Washington. Migrating to Texas in 1978, the birthplace of his parents, the first person Joel met upon his arrival was Sarah Fox, who would later become his wife. They found an immediate musical connection and … Continue reading The Innovative Joel Guzman
Photos by Johnson Sarkissian Kate Dunphy brings to music a skill set envied by many, but possessed by few. She is a gifted musician and performer and an emerging young composer and arranger. Kate is not only reviving the accordion but, reinventing it. With her artistic vision, she is also changing perceptions by allowing us to … Continue reading The Many Facets of Kate Dunphy
Photo by Ed Steele https://youtu.be/PJ-vBW2huXU Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Ginny Mac is a former member of the two-time Grammy Award winning group named Brave Combo, based in Denton, TX. Brave Combo has been noted for its rabid cult following across the country, a notable fan being David Byrne, who chose them as his wedding … Continue reading The Talented Ginny Mac
When it comes to Americana, the accordion and the circus rank very high on a long list of highlights relating to the American Experience. Also included are Jazz and picnics in the park on a lazy Summer Sunday. It's only natural that a very innovative, and savvy musician would eventually find a way to combine … Continue reading And Now! Ladies and Gentlemen, the AMAZING Rob Reich
Bio by rachellegarniezcom.virb.com Native New Yorker Rachelle Garniez has been described as "a certified free spirit" (The New Yorker) and a "diva with a difference"(Billboard Magazine). She has produced and released 5 cds on her own label, Real Cool Records, as well as a vinyl single produced by Jack White on his label, Third Man … Continue reading The Brilliant Rachelle Garniez
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
I first became aware of Dan Newton, several years ago. I was in a Manhattan music store browsing through sheet music, and came upon a compilation by Dan called "Cafe Accordion” with a CD affixed to the back cover. I purchased the book and brought it home. I found his recording charming, played in an … Continue reading Dan Newton, Representing the Midwest Americana style
Punk’s 10 Best Accordion Players: A Tribute to Squeezebox Rockers Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 12:18 PM (PST) by connor_maoil The sound of the accordion is, in my opinion, one of the best, weirdest, and most unique additions to the punk genre. For most it’s easy to see the instrument as nothing more than a … Continue reading Punk’s 10 Best Accordion Players
ACCORDION By Edward M. Komara The accordion reached its peak popularity with African American musicians between the end of Reconstruction (1865-1877) and the early twentieth century. Clarence Tross, a West Virginian musician, reported that it was ''mostly the colored man'' playing accordions in that period, and a contemporary from coastal Virginia remembered that accordions were … Continue reading A History of Blues Accordion
Accordion Americana 