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
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!
John Mayall had no goal other than "to make a normal blues album" , which is what the veteran artist and bandleader has done over the course of his 51-year recording career. And if you start adding it up, after 50 years, it's obviously quite a career." Mayall recorded "A Special Life," his first release in … Continue reading C.J. Chenier, Louisiana Blues and Zydeco Accordionist
It began with a knock on the door and a promise of success. In mid-century America, many parents thought that if their child studied a musical instrument, he or she would be more intelligent, be a better student and therefore be more productive in life. So, the common practice all over America through the nineteen … Continue reading Life in Parodies: Weird Al Yankovic
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
It's not a stretch to call the Petrojvic Blasting Company an Americana band. While strong inflections rich in Eastern European folk tradition are identifiable, their music possesses a 'here and now' sensibility, drawn from genres rooted in North America. It is music that is original in style, and combines a consistent jazz groove with an infectious exuberance that propels it forward, like a … Continue reading Josh Kaufman, The Blasting Company
Bio Courtesy of The Time Jumpers. Professional accordionist and multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Taylor, grew up in Batavia, New York, and began playing accordion and keyboards in his dad’s band when he was 10. He studied classical piano at the Eastman School of Music and was leader of a small jazz/rock group when he was in the Air Force in … Continue reading Jeff Taylor, Nashville’s “Go To” Accordionist
Just as brilliant colors of a sunset blend, and blur together, music genres converge. While all have characteristics in common, each is distinct from the other, and each possesses its own dynamic, its own musical parentage and its own spirit. Virtuoso Accordionist, Will Holshouser, in his restless pursuit of the connections between the genres, brings to … Continue reading Will Holshouser: Exploring the Space between Folk and Jazz
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
Accordion Americana 