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
Sometimes a performer emerges with the potential to completely redefine our impression of musical performance using the piano accordion. Crystal Bright has shown she has courage to dare to push the envelope a little farther, dig a little deeper and forge a path to go beyond what is merely expected and acceptable. Crystal Dawn Bright was born in Annapolis, … Continue reading The Enigmatic Crystal Bright and The Silver Hands
If you want to be noticed as a performer, play the piano accordion. If you already have a working knowledge of the piano--you may not realize that you already understand half of the piano accordion--you just need to learn the other half with some lessons and a lot of practice. So, to give you a … Continue reading Ten Things You Can Do to Promote the Accordion
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
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
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