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!
Sam Reider walks a fine line. The child of a Klezmer musician and a musical theater composer, Sam is West Coast born, raised in San Francisco but has since settled in Brooklyn, NY. A pianist, he originally studied jazz, but explored other methods of expressing his musical vision. By using the piano accordion, Sam … Continue reading The Atmospheric style of Sam Reider and The Human Hands
She who plays the piano accordion is never ignored. California-born Julieta Venegas y Percevault, known professionally as Julieta Venegas (pronounced BAY-nay-yahs), was born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Tijuana, Mexico where she became fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. At age ten, Julieta began to formally study music and to learn the … Continue reading Julieta Venegas, Big Talent with Small Accordion Yields International Star
Austin, Texas is a "music city", but wouldn't be one without its musicians. Cultural development in Texas, the Southwestern region and even the entire United States is influenced by the Austin music scene. Both the diatonic and piano accordions are components of the Western musical aesthetic and Debra Peters has been a part of … Continue reading Debra Peters, Where The Lone Star Meets The Big Easy
It all began with a gift to Meredith Pangrace from her husband. The small accordion, intended as a ‘gag’ gift, incredibly, became enormously important in Meredith's life and would take it down a different path. It was, in fact, the spark that led to Meredith's decision to choose to save a fellow musician's life by giving her the … Continue reading Meredith Pangrace of Maura Rogers & The Bellows
DesMoines, Iowa based singer and musician, Anja McCloskey moves between cultures. Deliberate and straightforward as a songwriter, she could be called distinctly American. But her musical sensibilities are European. With amazing clarity, her voice wraps itself around her lyrics and with her skillful accordion, she carries one away to a place of mystery and … Continue reading “A Kiss” from Anja McCloskey
You take one actress of “Harry Potter” fame, a piano accordion, excellent musicians, then add a little touch of theatrical Burlesque--stir it up, shake, and voila! Natalia Tena and her five piece band, Molotov Jukebox, add a shot of Gypsy spirit, then create their own potent blend with a mix of original compositions with Americana and … Continue reading Natalia Tena and the Explosive Molotov Jukebox
Accordion Americana 