presents the musette gazette - api.ning.comapi.ning.com/files/xpeaoszw*vgjvehqezfmslwiczf8... ·...

January 2012 Vol. XVI No. VII

Presents the

Musette Gazette www.azaccordionclub.com

BREAKING NEWS : Previously scheduled Frank Marocco is recovering from a health issue. Appearing for Marocco is

STAS VENGLEVSKI and MISHA LITVIN ON February 20th 2012 at the Arizona Accordion Club Meeting.

They will be joined by other members of the Frank Marocco Accordion Event orchestra.

STAS VENGLEVSKI. His artistry, dazzling technical command, and

sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the

Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim

as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan com-

petition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian

Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in

Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips.

In 1992 he immigrated to the United States.

Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer and a

Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range

of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as

a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the

United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen,

Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion

Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras

throughout the United States. ( continued on page 10 -> )

On March 19, we welcome SYLVIA JORGENSEN AND HER BAND

Sylvia Jorgensen leads one of the most popular dance bands for winter

visitors to Arizona. So come ready to dance.

In 1983, Sylvia organized a Scandinavian-American dance band and

called it "Sylvia and Fjordsong." A repertoire of polka and country mu-

sic was added in 1986, with the addition of Carl Nyberg to the band. In

1992 and 1994, they played in Upsalla and Stockholm, Sweden, and

Parunka, and Vasa, Finland. They have traveled to entertain at numerous

Scandinavian and polka festivals in the United States and Canada. Sylvia

also enjoys writing and arranging music.

Sylvia's first love is playing the accordion, following the footsteps of her

father. She also plays piano, guitar, recorder, and violin and likes to sing.

She sang in the Pacific Lutheran University's Choir of the West and in

other church choirs. She also directed Elementary School choirs, grades

5-6 grade and wrote and directed the all-district Bi-Centennial Program

in 1976. She began a youth choir, the Pilgrim Singers, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Puyallup. Sylvia enjoys many styles of music but

Scandinavian songs are her specialty.

Sylvia and her husband, Don Jorgensen, live in Puyallup, Washington seven months of the year and the remainder of the year in Mesa,

Arizona. Don is an avid golfer and superb dancer. They met at a polka dance and were married in 1994.

The Arizona Accordion Club

MENU for February 20th, 2012 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable and roll. or those who choose to fast Anne Z is making:

Roast veggies with olive oil and serve them over rice. Along with peanut butter filled celery so there's protein!

JANUARY 16TH Meeting - THE SQUEEZEBOX BAND with MOLLIE BUSTA and TED LANGE by Raye Donatella

Happy New Year! I hope you have a year of good health and lots of love! Speaking of love, one of our special members,

Phyllis Benguhe, made it back to our meeting this month! Phyllis suffered a

severe stroke some time ago and is finally recovering enough to attend the

meetings once more. Now, here is where the love comes in - she needs a ride

to and from the meeting sometimes - her son will bring her when his schedule

allows it, but if he can't bring her, she needs some love from someone to help

her out. Those of us who have to be there early to set up the room and take

care of the door would not be able to do it as the time for her to sit there

would be much too long. She lives fairly close to the church, so if this is a

possibility for your help, please give her a

call at 602-330-3460. All of us would be

grateful!

Now for the pre-meeting music by Jay

Stevens played and sang a huge variety of

tunes to get the evening started - beginning

with ―Jambalaya‖ and including “Have I

Told You Lately That I Love You,” “Una Paloma Blanca,” “Yellow Bird,” several polkas,

“Tell MeWhy Youʼre Leaving Me,” “Volver, Volver,” and lots more. All that music and

banter—wow, Jay - that was really great - you need to do that more often!

Elmer Faser and Henry Neiss - Henryʼs from North Dakota - played next. They did

“Twelfth Street Rag,” “Red Raven Polka,” and “Give Me Your Heart Back” waltz. I

started to say that was ―nice‖ but I won't do that to you again, Henry! (Henryʼs last name

is pronounced ―nice!‖) Next up was Sam Pecorilla, who played several beautiful songs

that got folks up and dancing, ending with “Que Sera Sera.” Thanks, Sam. He said he'll come back towards the end of the

evening and play some more. Dr. Howard Van Orden played for us next - a tribute to Myron Floren - which began with

“Let's Have a Party” and finished with “The Polka King.” We enjoyed that.

Our headliners took the stage - direct from Toledo, Ohio - the Squeezebox Band, with Ted Lange on accordion and button

box, and Bobby Earl on drums, and starring Mollie Busta, who plays accordion, keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet,

button box, slide trombone, and flute. (I have a hard time playing the TV.) Well, that was about the most fun you can have

with music!! Audience participation is their

forte - they began with “The Happy Wan-

derer” and followed with a huge variety of

music - Czech, German, Polish, English and

more - all danceable, all clappable, (is that a

word?) all smile able—just great!! What a per-

formance!! If you didn't get one of their CDʼs,

you missed some great listening. Naturally,

one of my favorite songs they did was Ted

singing “I Just Donʼt Look Good Naked Any

More.” They played polkas - lots of polkas -

including one that Mollie wrote, and waltzes

and just anything that sounded musical!

( Continues page 4 -> )

Squeezebox and Frank Marocco Cover

President’s recruiting Message

Our Meeting ! Pages 2 , 4

Gig for your club’s future Page 4

Advertisements Page 5

Accordion Instructors, repairs Page 6

Upcoming Events Page 6

Come Hear Us Play Page 7

Classifieds Page 8

Advertisements Page 9

Road Trip to see Tony L Page 11

Meeting location Map Back Cover

Membership Form Back Cover

Meeting Place

President Jack Dermody (602) 237-5627

V. P. Jerry Szymanski ( 480) 488-0949

Secretary Leigh Dechaine (623) 582-3746

Treasurer Pete Donatella (623) 877-1846

Board Of Directors

Bulletin Staff

Dionne Hauke Editor

Raye Donatella Seasoned Pro Reporter

Pete Donatella Field journalist

Frank Schweller Distribution

Zophie Rossner Still Photos

Jerry Szymanski Still Photos

Sal Genco Video Camera

Jay Stevens Event Coordinator,

Ensemble Booking

[email protected]

Phone: 602-819-5505

http://www.azaccordionclub.com

St. Stephen’s Hall 8141 North 16th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85020

(602) 997-4563 Third Monday of the Month

Meeting Begins at 6:30 PM

Meeting Ends at 9:00

The Arizona Accordion Club Page 3

Table of Contents

Officers

President’s Message

Jerry Szymanski ( 480) 488-0949

Paul Betken (480) 755-3539

Chuck Voinovich (480) 451-4416

Dionne Hauke (602) 266 9622

Ted Lee (623) 444-5106

Jay Stevens (602) 819-5505

Elmer Faser Scholarship Chairman

Better sound system. At the last meeting, many of you noticed that the sound system was better than ever. The reason for that, friends, is that Jay Stevens, Leigh Dechaine, Todd Hagen, Steve Durkit, and I gathered at the church hall and found ways to bring the best sounds to the entire meeting hall. Now and in the future you can expect better, balanced sound. In addition we purchased some new mikes and stands so we can accommodate groups of most sizes

and instrumentation.

Get DVDs of our meetings. Are you aware that you can obtain a DVD of each meeting from Pete Donatella? If you missed Mollie B and Ted, you can see and hear the entire program on a DVD. What a

show! Just call or email Pete. The cost is very reasonable.

Your Own AAC Accordion Orchestra in Concert on April 22. The next twelve weeks, the AAC Orchestra is diligently rehearsing for a wonderful concert on Sunday, April 22. We perform in one of the most beautiful venues in Arizona – in the chapel of La Casa – the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Get tickets ($8) early to get a good seat. You are encouraged to be an event sponsor by pur-chasing front-row seats at $15 – and these are limited to only 22

seats. Get tickets at the Feb, March and April meetings.

2 Workshops in March and April. We have not one but TWO terrific workshops by two very big accordion stars in America. First, in March, will be the one and only Fred Ziwick who will teach us how to play Cleveland Style music in a pre-meeting workshop at the March 19 meeting. It’s scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. $25 gets you into one of the most useful, hands-on workshops you ever attended. Make reservations for Fred Ziwisk’s workshop at the Feb. 20 meeting. Also, save some time for a work-shop the next month with the one and only Mario Pedone on April 16 during the same hours, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you attended his work-shop two years ago, you know you are in for a master lesson that is unavailable anywhere else in the entire world. Entry fee is also $25.

Make reservations at the March 19 meeting.

Duets in May. It’s been suggested we have “Duets” as a theme in May. Do you like to play duets? If so, get started right now to show your stuff at the May 21 meeting.

~ Jack


Then Mollieʼs Father, Jim Busta, from Minnesota, joined them with his concertina - and

man, did he ever play that thing! He stretched it out about six feet and got such great

sounds! Here I had been thinking that Mollie's folks should be so proud of her and Ted, and

then Mollie's Dad plays and I realize they must ALL be proud of each other!

What talent! Mollie did a fabulous job on “The Auction-

eer,” stepping it up faster and faster on each verse. That

was impressive! They finished up with a polka medley

that would knock your socks off! I think everyone in

attendance had aching jaws from smiling all evening!

We sure hope you folks come play for us again soon!

(By the way, I was raised in Toledo a long time ago!)

Domenic Feroce played next - three very pretty tunes.

Thanks, Domenic.

Ted Walczak, from Canada, played “Mexicali Rose,”

“Hungarian Dance #5,” and ―Les Bicyclettes De Bel-

size.” Glad you stopped in to play for us, Ted - and

thanks for giving me the list of your songs. Giving a

fitting end to a wonderful evening, Sam Pecorilla

played several more danceable songs to ensure that folks

were all leaving on a happy note. Thanks, Sam.

Now for a quick ʻas my Dad always saidʼ ―The eagle is our national emblem, but the na-

tional flower has to be the cost-of-living rose.‖ See you on February 20th


Newsletter Inputs ? Please send them care of Jack at [email protected]

Fred Ziwich’s 3-hour master workshop on The Polka - Cleveland Style St. Stephen’s Hall Back Room before the regular meeting on Monday, March 19, 2011. From 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. $25 at the door

What You Will Learn: The key elements of the Cleveland Style with examples from the kings of Cleveland Style, like Frank Yank-

ovic, Joey Misculin -- and of course, FRED ZIWICH!!! Learn also to play 2nd accordion with fill-ins and so much more.

This is the rarest and most useful workshop you will ever attend to enhance your polka styles.

Here is Fred’s bio directly from the plaque in his honor at the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio.

Fred Ziwich is known as just about the most versatile musician ever on the

Cleveland polka scene. He is a virtuoso on several instruments, a prolific

recording artist, and an expert musical arranger. As a bandleader, the

―International Sound Machine‖ has mastered, performed and recorded all of

the major Polka styles. All the while maintaining a huge repertoire of

popular music. There's no music he can't play -- and perform well.

It was probably obvious to anyone who knew him as a youngster, that Fred

Ziwich was destined to become a musician. He took his first accordion

lesson at the age of 5, and was able to read Music before reading English.

Then, to be able to play in the school band, he started taking Clarinet Les-

sons in the 4th grade. The next logical step was the Saxophone, and he tried

that the first time in the 8th grade. The next major instrument that he

learned was the button box, as he taught himself to play 6 songs in the days

during his Easter Vacation of his Senior Year in High School.

As a teenager, he formed the Fred Ziwich Trio, and performed twice for

Tony Petkovsek’s ―Polka Band of Tomorrow Contests.‖ He joined the

Hank Haller ensemble in 1973 and played for about 4 years. Upon receiv-

ing his music degree from Indiana University, Fred formed the

―International Sound Machine‖ in 1977. The purpose was to feature music

of all nationalities.

In 1983, Fred made music his career and went on to record and perform

with many other bands, such as Joe Beno, the Imperials, Linda Lee and

the GoldenAires, Adam Barthalt, accordion champion Don Lipovac and

Polka-Hall-of-Famer Hank Haller. Fred released his first album in 1979

and has since been a leader, or studio musician on over 90 recordings. You

can hear him on albums by Hall-of-Famers Walter Ostanek and Joe Fedorchak. World Renowned Sounds released twenty recordings

with Fred playing all of the instruments as the ―International Sound Machine‖. For their live performances, Gary and Christopher Byndas

have performed with Fred for more than 20 years. Fred is a regular on the dance schedule of Frank Sterle's Slovenian Country House

and the German Central Farm in Parma, Ohio and was a favorite at the Czech Karlin Hall. Since 1993, Fred has been the musical director

of the German Music Society brass band (Deutscher Musik Verein). He also directed the Jadran Slovenian Chorus. Members of the Na-

tional Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum have honored Fred as Musician of the Year and Button Box Player of the Year,

as well as awards for Best New Song and Album of the Year. In 2007, Fred married his biggest fan, Marilyn. He teaches the piano accor-

dion, Button Box, Clarinet, Sax, Flute and Trumpet and hosts two polka shows on the internet at 247PolkaHeaven.com.

Honorary Members

Art Van Damme * Dick Contino *Dr. John Van Such * Art Metzler * Lenny Simmons

Frank Yankovic * John Cesinger *Joe Kino * Helen Criscio * Flaco Jimenez

Tony Lovello * Frank Marocco * Anthony Galla-Rini * Myron Floren * Al Monti


This is the last year! Jerry returns to Wisconsin May 1st 2012.

Your last chance for a Musette Masterpiece at a Great Price….

Arizona Accordion Club Picnic will be February 26th 2012 at Papago Park 11 to 5, Ramadas #9/10

Watch for details in this newsletter and announcements at the club meetings. We will have sign up sheets at front table.

Brought to you by: Event Coordinator and Ensemble Booking Agent Jay Stevens [email protected]

Come Hear Us Play

Tony Putrino Free Accordion Concert Series - 2012 Friday, Feb 3rd, 7-9 PM Desert Ridge Market Place (1 01 and Tatum, Phoenix) AMC Fountains Stage Friday, Feb 17th, 7-9 PM Tempe Market Place (McClintock & Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe) In Front of Barnes & Noble Friday, Mar 2nd, 7-9 PM Desert Ridge Market Place AMC Fountains Stage Friday, Mar 16th, 7-9 PM Tempe Market Place In Front of Barnes & Noble

Bob Doszak Music for all Occasions *** Single **Duo ** Trio** Bookings, Info 480-982-0252 [email protected]

Bill Regina Music For All Occasions

For Rates and Open Dates Call 602-938-3679

John Smoltz : 480-575-0534 480-575-6996 http://www.johnsmoltz.com/index.html

Augie Figurelli: (www.augieperforms.com) Check for performance schedule and exceptions. Vincitorio's Restaurant (480.820.2786)

Elmer Faser and Duane Tendick : Haus Murphy’s 5739 West Glendale Avenue Glendale Arizona 85301 623 939-2480 Every Friday and Saturday 6:00 to 8:00

Accordion Babes in Phoenix!

Thursday, January 26 7:30pm - 11:30 pm

The Trunk Space,1506 NW Grand Ave.

Phoenix AZ 85007

An All-ages Show.


Paddy’s Peg Leg http://www.myspace.com/paddyspegleg

Paul Kay The Lynks Cafe is closed for the winter. Paul can be reached at 602-549-0497

Piano Accordion Instructors:

Pete Donatella 623 877-1846

Anthony Rolando 216-470-8463 and Piano,/Organ

Dr. Van Orden 623 203 7909 and Chromatic B System

Jack Dermody 602 237 5627

Joanne Drum 480 994-4698

Tony Putrino 480 483-3943

Bonnie Bingener 602-279-0378 and Piano

Joan Monti 602-923-3856

Button Accordion Instructor

Tony Longoria ( Él habla español )

602 718 4058 Acordeon Also Bajo Sexto y Bajo Quinto

y Bass Guitar.

DVD’s of Club Meetings are available.

―All Arizona Accordion Club Meetings and sponsored events are copyrighted

by the Board of the Arizona Accordion Club and are for the private use of our

audience. Any other use of these programs or of any pictures, descriptions or

accounts of the Arizona Accordion Club meetings, events and it’s performers,

without a written approval of consent by the Arizona Accordion Club Board, is

Prohibited‖

Donations Helping to build a better club

The Arizona Accordion Club isn’t just a organization.

It is a group full of people who make it special.

tel:602-938-3679

Ad Policy For Display ads, Arizona Accordion club members pay the lower price: Business card Size $5.00 or $8.00 Quarter page $10.00 or $16.00 Half page $20.00 or $32.00 Full page 40.00 or $64.00

Musical Items For Sale:

Mackie 1202 VLZ Mixer. 12 channels.

Home or Studio grade. 4 XDR2 mic

preamps,2 AUX sends, 3 band Active

EQ,Has Phantom power switch to use

with orwithout Phantom power. Has 5

star rating.Includes original box, and

manual. Excellent$150.00

Joan 602-923-3856.

Samson QV wired vocal condenser

headset mic. extended frequency re-

sponse, with stands high SPLs,PM4

phantom power adapter included. In

original box. Excellent condition. Paid

$119.99. Asking $50.00. 602-923-3856

Monarch. Custom tuned 3 set musette

reeds. Unmatched sound and volume.

Pickup and new wide straps. $1,100.

480 278-9633 Jerry Siegler

Accordions For Sale Too Many to list,

Key and Button Styles.

Gabacho Bob 623 780 3622

Samson Wireless system. Amplify your

accordion without having to deal with a

cable to trip over. This is what I used on

my accordion. It works great. Cost for a

new unit is about $260. Selling this one

for $130. Todd Hagen 623-582-5852

Hohner Ventura IV Musette

41/120 4/5 13/7 24 lbs $4000

Hohner Atlantic IV Deluxe

41/120 4/5 11+PM/3 22 lbs $750

480 830 8766 Glenn Tompkins

Excelsior Midi with Xetron X4 module.

480 661-7750. [email protected]

RICHILIEU - Mint Rubell 4 String

Paid $3500.00 "Like new" Castiglione

19‖ Key / 120 bass accordion, black,

with 9 treble / 3 bass switches asking

2500.00 OBO call 480-629-8648 Jean

Moore in Gilbert, AZ

120 bass Excelsior A.C. Great Musette

$3,000 OBO Bob Dura 602-841-0487

Crate KX-80 Keyboard Amplifier, $80,

Rod Julkowski 480 357 2412

Wanted : a Petosa. An S-2000 model P-

800 with 4/4 sets of reeds or a model

AM1100 an S-2000 Midi. Norbert

Ludewig. 908-889-8476, 973-792-4661. 2

Ridge Way, Fanwood, NJ 07023

Cordovox, recently tuned.

GC 2 row Accordion $250.00.

Ed Mikulich 623 362 1525

Guerrini Polka Box - Rhinestones - $2100

Korg rotating sound machine - $250

Crate Amp - 15" speaker - $300

Selmer Model 80 Tenor Sax - $2900

Noblette Clarinet - $350

Mikes, Stands, Fronts, etc.

Ellie Aldrin - 602-996-8197

Excelsior 19 1/4‖ Keyboard,120 bass

10/6 switches, slide mute, tone chamber,

deluxe straps, heavy duty case, 27 lbs.

$1,700.00. Harry 602 568 3931.

Excelsior New York Model 5 accordion.

V.G. condition $350.00. 480 895-8161

Victoria Super 1960's Black, white pearl

keys. 18 3/4" Keyboard 21 lbs. 5 oz,.

41 /120. 7/3 switches.3 reed L-M-H Dry

tuned. Straps and case. $450 OBO

Jean T 570 972-6434

Excelsior 96 bass midi accordion. 17 1/2

inch keyboard with 37 full size keys. 7/3

switches. 4 pickups. Lightweight 21 lbs.

Excellent condition, includes case.

$1500.Fake books $15.-$25.00.Joan 602-

923-3856

Pastore Italian made ladies accordion.

8/2 switches. Perfect condition.$300

Call Felice at 602-279-0638.

Star Concertina Super Star mint.

7 switch Quad in Bb. Black/chrome/red

104 key. Amplified, case.$1,800.00

Jerry 623 332 2343 Plus 22 musical items.

Proteus/1 XR Module, model 9011, $75

Carl Nyberg 480 982-1479


ACCORDIONS & KEYBOARDS

Clearwater, FL [email protected]

727 443 4113. Cell 727 417 6099

www.accordionsandkeyboards.net

Free Shipping on these accordions

Excelsior Symphony Made In New York.

MIDI is installed. 4/6 sets of handmade

reeds. Sano Amplification. Excellent Con-

dition. $3200.00

Iorio "K" Series Reedless ( 15 lbs. )

accordion with Music Tech Midi

Controller plus built-in sounds.

Like New Condition. $2650.00

Wanted Chromatic C system accordion,

17lbs max. Steve 651-702 0791

[email protected]

Musicians Available Electric Bass, Tuba, Guitar, Vocal and

Button Accordion.

Experienced in, and enjoy a variety of music.

New to the area. The Rokuseks

402-821-2120 or 402-821-70380.

Black metal Conductors fold out music stand.

Includes case. Paid $100.00 Asking

$50.00.Excellent condition. 623-566-1555.

I’m looking for a copy of „Brazilian

Samba”. If you can accommodate me, I shall

be in your debt forevermore.

Joanne Drum 480 994 4698

Petosa Accordion/Organ Series II Chamber

3/4 Handmade reeds. Black antico engraving,

complete with tone generator, has MIDI ca-

pability. $1500.00 J. Drum 480 994 4698

Zupan 4 Row CGFBb V.G. condition, case

$1000.00 520 903 6378 Keith. Tucson, AZ.

Wanted :Dealers to handle my accordion

Faux Fur bass strap covers. Unbelievably

comfortable beautiful Faux Mink or Chin-

chilla Jimmy Jenson, 630 Elk Brophy Road,

NW. Alexandria, MN 56308.320 762 2411

[email protected]


Catch us on the World Wide Web http://www.azaccordionclub.com or My Space at http://www.azaccordionclub.com

Find Updates and features on upcoming meetings and highlights of our great guest performers. The Club Performers link offers Photos and bios

of some of our regular players. Arizona Accordion Club members are encouraged to send their info to [email protected]

Check the slide show for photos from recent Arizona Accordion Club meetings.

313 N.E. 45th St. Seattle, WA 98105 (206)-632-

2700

Visit Our Web Site www.petosa.com

“Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten”

Estimates always free

Ziggie’s Music

602 266 9622

3309 North 3rd Street

Phoenix, AZ 85012-2301

www.ziggiesmusic.com

[email protected]

Mondays - Saturdays 10-6

In Coolidge

Timothy Gomez

1 520 510 9317

If you are in Tucson Visit our good

friends at ACT

aka Accordion Club of Tucson

http://www.accordionstucson.com/


TIME TO RENEW YOUR DUES. TIME TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION. USE THE FORM ON THE BACK COVER

AS A GUIDE AND SEND YOUR INFO BY EMAIL TO PETE DONATELLA AT [email protected].

Bavarian Inn Accordionist Joins Polka Hall of

Fame Bavarian Inn Accordionist Joins Polka Hall of Fame

Frankenmuth Restaurant Musician Wins Polka Honor

Frankenmuth, MI Dec. 29, 2011 – Linda Lee, full-time Entertainment Coordinator and

House Musician at the world-famous Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Frankenmuth, Mich.,

was recently named to the Polka Hall of Fame Honor Roll by the National Cleveland-

Style Polka Hall of Fame. She was one of six names added to the list at an awards cere-

mony held last month in Ohio. In addition to her rigorous Bavarian Inn schedule, Linda

Lee performs at various parties and festivals throughout the U.S. and hosts four weekly

radio programs dedicated to polka music. ―Music is my life,‖ she says. ―It is a gift from

God. It is a real blessing to meet people from all over the world on a daily basis at Bavar-

ian Inn. I also enjoy being invited to the family reunion and gatherings of people I’ve

come to know for decades. It is a privilege to play for them and be part of their extended

family.‖ Linda Lee began playing music at age seven and started her professional career at

age 10. When her three children became old enough to perform, she invited them into the

act under the name “The Brown Family Singers.” While she loves her accordion, she

also plays clarinet and saxophone. The Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame is dedicated

to the preservation and promotion of polka music, the happiest sound around. During its

annual awards show, members vote for annual categories such as Recording of the Year,

Lifetime Achievement recipients, and the all-time greatest polka hits among others. The

honorees receive a Crystal Award trophy. The Lifetime Achievement award is the highest

honor presented and includes enshrinement in the Polka Hall of Fame. The 24th annual

National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame awards ceremony took place Nov. 26, 2011 in Euclid, Ohio. The Polka Hall of Fame and

Museum was founded in 1987 by musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations. The Cleveland style of polka has roots in

He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini

and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by

Dan Lawitts. He is a regular participant the Milwaukee Symphony Orches-

tra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has performed with the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; has

done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced

numerous recordings including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker

Suite for Bayan as well as one of

original compositions. He has pub-

lished several books of original com-

positions.

MISHA LITVIN is a thrilling master

mandolinist, He has performed as a

solo recitalist and as a soloist with

chamber orchestras in Russia, Germany, The Netherlands, France and the United

States. Also an experienced conductor and music teacher at Wisconsin Conservatory

of Music. After graduating with a degree in orchestral conducting, music, and string

pedagogy, he taught guitar and mandolin and led many student musical groups at the

municipal music school in Minsk, Belarus. He currently performs in duos with piano,

accordion and guitar. He also participates in educational programs with the Milwau-

kee Symphony Orchestra with accordionist Stas Venglevski and been a member of the

Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra since 2000

mailto:[email protected]


TIME TO RENEW YOUR DUES. TIME TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION.

USE THE FORM ON THE BACK COVER AS A GUIDE AND SEND YOUR INFO BY EMAIL TO PETE DONATELLA AT

Do Not Miss the AAC Orchestra CONCERT on April 22

The Program: Orchestra pieces – classical

and standards. Also be surprised with spe-

cially prepared pieces by trios, duos, and

our very best soloists. Day and Date: Sun-

day, April 22, 2012 Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Franciscan Renewal Center,

5803 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253

– inside The Church of Our Lady of the

Angels. Expect a beautiful, elegant setting

and perfect acoustics.

Cost: $15 Sponsor Ticket (only 22 tickets

available), guaranteed front-row seating. $8

for AAC members and friends (200+ tick-

ets). Sponsors can opt to be listed in the

program.

Tickets: Contact Jack Dermody at [email protected] or phone (602) 237-5627. Also for sale at the regular meetings of the

Arizona Accordion Club on Feb 20, Mar 19, and Apr 16.

Another life saved by an accordion

Bulgarian-born French pianist Alexis Weissenberg, whose love of music from the age of 3 saved him and his mother from a World War

II concentration camp and carried him to the heights of performances with Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, has died. He was

82.

Weissenberg died Sunday in Lugano, Switzerland, according to Bulgarian and Swiss news reports. He had Parkinson's disease.

An only child, Weissenberg was born into a Jewish family in Sofia in 1929. He recalled sharing "musical joys" learning piano and listen-

ing to recordings and concerts with his mother, before studying piano with a famous Bulgarian composer, Pancho Vladigerov.

When he and his mother tried to flee German-occupied Bulgaria for Turkey with fake identification and visa papers in 1941, he recalled

in an essay on his website (alexisweissenberg.com), they landed in "an improvised concentration camp" in Bulgaria for people crossing

the border illegally. He said the German-guarded camp was probably intended to send people to Poland and extermination.

They arrived with few belongings other than a small bag, a large cardboard box, a few sandwiches and an old accordion given him as a

birthday gift by a wealthy aunt. And they were lucky: After three months in the unspecified camp, a German guard who enjoyed listening

to Weissenberg play Schubert on the accordion helped them escape by train.

"It was the same officer who decided one chaotic day to come and fetch us hurriedly, bring us to the station, push our belongings (still the

cardboard box) through the door, literally throw the accordion through the window of the compartment," he recalled.

The guard told his mother "Good luck" in German, then vanished. Half an hour later, they were over the border and no one asked for

passports. The next day they arrived in Istanbul.

He said luck "sometimes produces tiny miracles" and "our unexpected piece of luck was a musical instrument, the dear old accordion."

They made their way to Palestine, where he performed Beethoven with the Israel Philhar-

monic led by Leonard Bernstein. In 1946 he moved to New York to study at the Juilliard

School of Music. Then, in the 1950s, he moved to Paris and became a French citizen.

Mr. Weissenberg recounted their detention at a concentration camp, in an autobiographi-

cal essay on his Web site, alexisweissenberg.com

(Associated Press)

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