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”
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
Punk’s 10 Best Accordion Players: A Tribute to accordion 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 novelty … Continue reading List of Bands that Feature the Accordion
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
There is something about American music, as Leonard Bernstein said, in its expression of "wide open spaces" that describes an innovative mindset, a resilient optimism and a bold spirit of our people. At its roots, American music draws from the influences of many that have migrated here, willingly or against their will, as well as from … Continue reading The Inspiring Edward Jay
Jason Webley Not many people embrace the accordion, and then abandon their day job. It's just not done. But, Jason Webley did just that. Maybe it was a reaction, at that time,to his belief that his life was falling apart. Maybe it was a response to a yearning for another place, and another kind of life. … Continue reading Jason Webley, Travelling Troubadour and Monster of the Accordion
Jenny Conlee There is a point where a band can evolve from a regionally identified indie folk rock band to that of a mainstream pop group. For The Decemberists, whether for good or bad, such an evolution is currently underway. The Decemberists The Decemberists had been a relatively high profile band but chose to abruptly … Continue reading Jenny Conlee of the Indie band, The Decemberists
Ben Lovett Born in Cardiff, Wales in 1986, Ben Lovett met Marcus Mumford while they were students at Kings College in London. Along with Englishmen, Ted Dwane and Winston Marshall, they magically came together in 2007, to form Mumford and Sons, a name more evocative of an old time blacksmith or haberdashery, rather than a … Continue reading Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons
Accordion Americana 