Accordion road trip to Oakton

Michael Rubin.

So I returned with a huge grin on my face from the trip to the accordion clinic and concert in Oakton, Virignia.

I can't stress enough how much thanks I owe to all the guys in my accordion club, particularity Sid and Tip; also Jim Rice for helping me out and helping me get there, and also to Dale Wise for welcoming me into his home as well and taking the time and showing me his amazing accordion repair room and all the accordions he has in there. Their sheer kindness and willingness to help me out is jaw-dropping alone, and I really appreciate the help of the other club members.

Jim Vandelly.

The concert itself was spectacular, I love the atmosphere at workshops like these, because it's basically all accordion players getting together and just playing for each other and sharing ideas and information.

David Rubin was a highlight in my opinion as he gave a performance of this Israeli song I really liked and recently heard at our VALOV meeting just before this event. I had a nice chat with him about klezmer music, something I've grown increasingly interested in.

Michael Bridge.

There was a great performance of Russian bajan music by Jim Vandelly- his set was really interesting and he did all Russian material. I was glad to finally meet him as I had heard about him a year or two ago in the AAA (American Accordion Association) newsletters. I feel Jim and Dave were my favorites of that evening probably, I find them very interesting not only because they are masters at their craft, but also because of the way they specialize in particular genres.

Michael Bridge is like a young accordionist version of Yngwie Malmsteen! He has the most amazing bellow control and shake techniques and he even does this crazy thing where he bends, yes he BENDS notes on his accordion. He briefly demonstrated how he does this at the workshop, it's crazy! You watch him and you can't feel anything but completely entranced and spellbound. Michael Bridge has a captivating quality to him; you become spellbound, completely involved in watching and listening to him. He draws you in within seconds and you can't not just feel compelled to fall silent and become fixated on what he's doing.

Duffy Llama.

Duffy Llama is truly a shoman. This man has STYLE like no one! He writes this golden amazing stuff with these like swinging and sweeping melodies that just kind've lift you off into the stratosphere. He has pizazz! He's highly entertaining, and a very energetic guy. I only get to see him briefly at these sort of gatherings, but I'm glad I get to see him when I do; I definitely look forward to seeing them all again at future events.

Valov Accordion X-mas party!!!!

Jocque playing at Valov xmas party.

The accordion club I'm in, VaLov (Accordion Lovers of Virginia) had its Christmas party this last Sunday- which was AWESOME!!!!! It was so much fun- though I don't usually even care much for Christmas tunes, Sid's jazzy version of, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and Tip's dark/Russian-like version of a an xmas tune that embarrassingly I can't recall which one he did at the moment were both highlights! When it comes to Christmas songs you've never heard them like this! It was a blast!

Not to mention- Jim Rice and a harmonica soloist (who I've met before but I don't believe I got his name) did a nice version of a Greek tune as well. I played an original waltz for the group and Celito Lindo. Jocque did a classical piece for us that he recently learned and played at his daughters wedding! I was so glad my girlfriend Stephanie got to come along and meet everyone, she seemed to really enjoy it and though we had to leave a bit early so I could get her back to Norfolk on time- we managed to participate in I believe it was a Middle Eastern or Arabian song I don't recall the name of at the moment.

Jim Rice playing at the Valov xmas party.

Tip playing at the Valov xmas party.

As usual I had to beg Andy to do his amazing version of the Frankie Valli tune, "You're Just to Good to Be True". His version is truly stunning, every time I see him I beg him to do it again; Andy always reminds me why I wanted to play in the accordion in the first place, watching him do this song is always inspiring and leaves you speechless afterwards.

Most of all- I'm looking forward to this Saturday more than anything at the moment! As I'm riding up to Williamsburg to meet up with Jim Rice and together I'm going with him the rest of the way to an accordion workshop and concert in Oakton, Virginia near Washington DC. featuring Michael Bridge. 

Jim & Andy playing at Valov xmas party.

Being a part of an accordion club like VaLov is a great experience, as otherwise it's pretty hard to meet other accordionists, and wouldn't be likely to have been lucky enough to meet the other members otherwise. I feel very fortunate to have met the other members and listen to their songs, their stories, and share good times and great music with them. That being said, I'll be excited to follow up this post soon with our trip to Oakton! 

Accordion Festival at the Williamsburg Regional Library

I had a blast this weekend at the accordion festival held at the Williamsburg Regional Library where the club I'm in VALOV (Accordion Lovers of Virginia) met with W.M.A.S (Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society), and the Maryland Accordion Club.

The first day we met up for a party at the home of Jim Rice, who is the President of Accordion Revolution, plays solo and also in two groups that played at the festival: the Wise Guys and Clan MacCool; Jim also is responsible for hosting and organizing the festival itself! Talk about one hell of a party too- Dale Wise notably played a lot of requests for the last couple hours of the party and Jim Rice and the Wise Guys gave us a real treat of only some of what was to come the next day in the theater! I had a really nice conversation along with some words of wisdom from the highly talented Nancy Leonard of W.MA.S (Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society) and a really interesting conversation with Bob from W.M.AS. too. Were both into the Palmer Hughes material quite a bit- also turns out we both dig French Musette tunes and listen to Dan Newton's Cafe Accordion Orchestra.

There were only two parts to this trip that were semi-um-not-good hahaha. On the first day before I got to the party- I got to Williamsburg hours early..... other than the festival itself- it suddenly dawned on me- that there isn't really much to do in Williamsburg (at least not that I could find)- and I thought hmmm they should put up a sign that says, "If you're not here to eat pancakes, sleep, visit historical museums, or go to Busch Gardens..... leave." Don't get me wrong- I don't like to simplistically vilify an entire city- but Williamsburg is a bit of a boring place. HOWEVER, this is also partially my fault- I didn't plan ahead to find anything to do plus perhaps when I locked myself out of the car, which was the biggest hassle and cause a little financial restrain- I suppose that put me in a bad mood that I wouldn't have been in otherwise! Losing $55 to get Pop-A-Lock to open the car was a bit of a downer, but eh I got over it and of course that immediately faded once the party and festival started!

Dale Wise.

David Gussman.

The workshop was conducted by Dale Wise- who had limitless knowledge to share and techniques and songs from pretty much anywhere you'd let you're finger land on a map!

Dale took us through the songs: You Can't Be True Dear and Seeman (German songs), Halsa dem Darhemma (a Scandanavian song I've now fallen in love with!), Black Velvet Band- followed with Irish Eyes/Notre Dame/4 Leaf Clover (Irish stuff), Caminito, Por Una Cabeza, Oh Marie and Le Mamme (Italian songs), Tarantella (I love this one too!), God Bless America, Katushka/Oh Susanna/Hava Nagila.

Then David Gussman gave a particularly highly interesting neat short segment of the workshop on Klezmer music and discussed the history of it along with some rhythmic techniques and its usage of the accordion in that area of Eastern European music- which was to me a highlight of the workshop. Dale Wise then continued the rest of the workshop as he went through the Charlie Chaplin tune Limelight, Moulin Rouge, and last but certainly not least the Beer Barrel Polka.

to the left- Tip Ciotti, to the right- Sid Sward.

Then it was time for the concert itself, as Nancy Leonard played in the main hall as the concert was being set up- the concert then took off as Dale Wise played the National Anthem. Then Sid Sward and Mike McKenna played, and up third was the incredibly talented Andre Fry, who played a Charles Magante tune along with an original he wrote and finished with an original composition his father wrote. His performance was definitely a standout of the evening.

Dale Wise continued with some french material, then Phil Heim played on his 12-bass, then Tip Ciotti did this incredible Spanish number (I was lucky enough to hear him do it just once before at one of our club meetings), then Mike Takash played, and then I myself got to play a short original polka I wrote for everyone called the J.B. Polka (the J.B. is for Jordan Bostic- a friend of mine- who I was haning out with at his house when I wrote the first draft of this song).

Then, Bob Jacobs went up and did klezmer and also some jazz. Adam Gicz and Sid Sward did a duet together. Then one of my favorites, Andy Armano did his great swinging version of the Frank Valli & the Four Seasons hit, "You're Just Too Good To Be True". Henry Hancock then played some Italian for us, followed by Dave Gussman who did more wonderful klezmer for us. Then Cynthia Cross played for us on her Bassetti accordion, after her was Joel Stokes who did some great French numbers. Sid and David Tetrault did a duet together, then Dale Wise joined Jim Rice for a duet as Jim would then kick it off with his group the Wise Guys, Jim would then stay on to do some really nice energetic Celtic music with his group Clan MacCool.

Then the Bean Soup Project happened, while there accordion Duffy came out playing his electric accordion while singing and strolling through the audience, gradually making his way to the stage for an electrifying and exciting performance. I got a kick out of his slogan for his band, "Original Music for Original People"- that guy is awesome. I had the pleasure of chatting with him the night before, and he has great music and big ideas and whether he's performing or just talking to you. Either way you can't lose because he's always great to listen to.

Nancy Leonard.

The grand finale was accordion master William Cosby who plays a very large free-bass accordion- never in my life have I seen an accordionist play quite this fast. He briefly explained the free-bass system, and his left hand would play melodies simultaneously with different leads in the right. I don't totally understand the free-bass accordion, but it was great to listen to and to watch him do it.

We wrapped up the night with a celebration at a German restaurant just down the street, where Dale Wise (somehow! This guy has more energy than most- he is Energizer bunny of the accordion hahaha) would continue to play for tables and even took my request of, "Night and Day", Duffy played a bit more at the tables before he left, and so did a few other accordionists. I myself played my Neutral Milk Hotel cover of, "Aeroplane Over the Sea" and also jammed on the Beer Barrel Polka with two other fellow accordionists. The festival was an amazing experience and I really enjoyed the concert performances too. I hope to catch another one soon.