The Accordion Express

The Milwaukee Accordion Club
The
February 2011
Accordion Express
Post Valentines Dance
Tom Brusky Band Plus David Austin
Dance If You Wish
!
Who is Tom Brusky?
Well, if you were at last month’s meeting, he was the
accordionist in the Ed Hause Band,
standing right in the middle of the
stage. Tom started with the Ed Hause
band at age 16 back in 1986.
!
In addition to being a fantastic
accordionist, Brusky also plays
drums with several bands, and is
adept at keyboards, tuba and bass
guitar. He began his music lessons
when he could just barely reach the
piano, and by the time he was age 11
he was already performing in public.
At age 12 he earned his first $100 bill
at a gig in Lake Geneva, and has
been a professional musician ever
since.
Those Who Serve ...... 2
President’s Message ... 3
Meeting Calendar ......4
Ent. Review .............. 5
!
Tom operates Polkasound Productions, a 24 track
digital recording studio which has produced award winning polka albums. Busky also administers several websites including one for Wisconsin Polka Music.
!
He is also a composer, and has
written over 30 songs already, some
of which can be found on his various
CD recordings. He averages about
150 gigs a year, so I don’t know how
he can find time for his hobby as an
artist, but he has painted many beautiful pictures which can be viewed on
his web site:
http://www.tombrusky.com
!
Same as last month, there will
not be pre meeting music, and the
business meeting will start at 6:30pm
so be sure to come early enough!
Ya hear now?
Castelfidardo .............. 6
The Marketplace ......... 8
Frank Marocco .......... 9
Pictures ............ 10 & 11
Regular Meeting Monday February 28, 2011
At Root River Center, 7220 W. Rawson Ave. Franklin, WI
6:30 pm Pre Meeting Music: None Scheduled
7:30 pm Student Artist: None Scheduled
6:30 pm Business Meeting
7:00 pm: Tom Brusky Band
Plus David Austin
Admission: • Members $3 • Non members $5
(What a BARGAIN !)
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 1
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
Those Who Serve
Health and Welfare
Officers
President:
Sherry Huiras!!
Vice President:
Don Turner! !
Secretary:
Shirley Barry!!
Treasurer:
Kathleen Borchert!
!
(414) 546-3370
!
(414) 372-3560
!
(414) 543-7714
!
(414) 325-5470
!
!
!
!
!
(262) 284-0355
(414) 281-2943
(414) 322-2647
(414) 453-4931
(414) 235-3497
Club Photographers:
Jerry Smeiska !
!
Ken Nowicki!!
!
(414) 453-4931
(414) 422-1115
Directors
Roger Boll ! !
John Kreiter! !
Bill Schauder!!
Jerry Smeiska !
Pam Stahl! !
February 2011
By Sunshine Sandy Lee!
!
We were saddened to learn of the death of member
Dan Fennig, who succumbed to a stroke. We offer our
deepest sympathy to Dorothy and family.
!
We also learned that John “Johnnie Droz“ Drozdjibob, 80, a resident of Rio Rancho, NM since 1979, passed
away January 26, 2011. He played 2nd accordion with several Milwaukee bands including Louie Bashell.
!
We continue to extend our prayers and wishes for those who are continuing on their road to recovery. If any members who have been ill, that we
might not be aware of. We wish them a speedy return to good health also.
!
!
If you want us to send a card to someone please call Sandy at
(414) 764-2377
Assisting
Photo Archivist:
John Kreiter! !
At Our Neighbors
Chicago Accordion Club
!
(414) 281-2943
310 W. Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst
February 21, 2011, 7:00 pm
Membership Chmn.:
Bill Schauder!!
!
(414) 322-2647
Ensemble Director:
Beverly W. Persa!
!
Newsletter Editor:
Jerry Smeiska !
!
(414) 466-5371
Larry Nickel
–-–-–-–-–-–-–-–-–
N. E. Wisconsin Accordion Club
300 S. Adams St. Green Bay, WI.
Saturday March 5, 2010 - 9:30 am
(414) 453-4931
Lou Close
Newsletter Processing & Mailing
Elder & Eva Grueneberg! (414) 281-4885
Publicity Chair:
Sandy Bednarek!
Milwaukee Accordion Club Mission Statement
!
(414) 421-7577
Reception & Registration Chair:
Ginny Smeiska!
Laurie Zeh! !
Raffle Chair:
Michael Bird! !
!
!
(414) 453-4931
(262) 639-1153
!
(920) 410-1614
General Assistance:
Anna Kreiter! !
!
(414) 281-2943
Sunshine Club Chair:
Sandy Lee Jahnke!
!
(414) 764-2377
Our mission is to stimulate a positive attitude toward the performance of music
on the accordion by strengthening relationships with fellow musicians, expanding
knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and by developing various
musical programs to acquaint the general public with the education and entertainment values of the accordion.
Monthly DEADLINE normally is: 2nd Monday of the month.
Send submissions to:
Jerry Smeiska, Editor, Accordion Express
524 N. 106 St.
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-4225
Phone: (414) 453-4931
Fax: # by request
Email: gsmeiska@wi.rr.com
Visit Our Website At: http://www.accordions.com/mac
Notice: Statements by the editor or contributors to this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the official policies of the Milwaukee Accordion Club, Inc. Paid ads are accepted in
good faith and are not to be considered as M.A.C. endorsements of the products or services
advertised. (Our attorneys made us say that.)
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 2
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
Our President Says:
Greetings My Friends!!
!
You’ve been hearing a lot
about 2011 being the MAC’s 20th
year anniversary and our plans for
celebrating this landmark year by
bringing you some outstanding
entertainment. Not only will we
have excellent entertainment, we
will also strive to bring you the
type of entertainment and music that you enjoy. I believe we started off on the right path with the Ed Hause
Band providing dance music for our first Program of
2011. You showed your approval by your attendance
and also by all the positive feedback we received from
you. Although your MAC Board of Directors works
diligently to always bring you the best entertainment,
we really want to make this a special year.
!
I attended the January 8th Meeting of the North
East Wisconsin Accordion Club in Green Bay. Copper
Box performed that morning and they were wonderful.
Danny, Michelle and Tuba Dan were a bit hit. Our
neighboring Accordion Clubs, N.E.W. and Chicago,
really do have some exceptional entertainment, and I
encourage you to pay them a visit when you can.
!
On Monday, February 28th we’ll hold a belated
Valentine’s Day celebration with a ‘Valentine Dance’
with music by the Tom Brusky Band comprised of talented, award-winning musicians and featuring ‘special
guest musician David Austin’ from Madison. We’ll
just continue where we left off at our January Program
. . . . with more music and dancing. The dancing begins at 7:00pm.
!
We really look forward to our March 28th
Program/Meeting because March is the actual anniversary month, and we will be serving cake, coffee,
snacks, special raffle prizes and a few surprises. Stas
Venglevski with Robin Pluer and Ensemble will begin
their performance at 7:30pm that evening.
!
As I continue to stress: please watch the MAC
‘Accordion Express’ for any program time changes.
Both the February and March Programs will be preceded by a early brief Business Meetings at 6:30 pm
and the rest of the evening will vary somewhat.
February 2011
!
Again, I am looking forward to seeing everyone
on February 28th. Wear your Valentine ‘red’. And remember, your attendance at our Programs/Meetings,
along with being supportive of the MAC, also affirms
that you are enjoying the scheduled entertainment.
The Aging Accordion
by Jerry Smeiska
Philosopher and Scientific Investigator
!
Accordion players, have you noticed that as your
accordion gets older, it becomes heavier? It also increases
weight faster, the older it gets.
!
I have noticed that mine is putting on weight more
and more each year, and when at one time I could pick it
up easily with one hand, it now requires both hands and
some serious grunting.
!
I also find that I can’t lift it as high off the floor as I
used to, and when I wear it, the period of time I can leave
it on my shoulders keeps getting shorter and shorter. And
as to playing it standing up? Forget it! My legs start to
complain after just a few minutes.
!
I asked several astute accordion repairmen if they
knew why an accordion gets heavy in its old age, and they
acted as if I didn’t know what I was talking about. I then
approached a scientist friend of mine and asked him. He
wasn’t any help either.
!
I’m a man of reason, so I knew there had to be a reason for this weight increase over time. I’m certain that I
have figured it out, and all by myself too.
!
You see, an accordion is made of a lot of organic
materials such as wood, leather, bee’s wax, hide glue etc.
and being organic it absorbs moisture.And you all know
how heavy moisture is! Right? As the organic materials
absorb moisture over the years, the accordion continues to
get heavier and heavier, I guess one of these days I’m going to have to follow ‘Reedless’ Roger’s recourse, or else
buy a forklift truck. (Oh! My aching back!)
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 3
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
February 2011
Business Report
Meeting Attendance: 94
(Were You One Of Us?)
Business Meeting
Hey! – if you missed this one – you missed a fantastic one!
Shirl Barry, Secy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome New Members
Monday January 24, 2011
After welcoming visitors and guests, the Business Meeting was called to order by President
Sherry Huiras shortly after 6:30 pm. She expressed that it seemed like a long time since
our last meeting at the Root River held back in
November, and that our December event was
the ever popular Christmas party at Meyer’s Restaurant
held in lieu of a monthly meeting. She noted that the
party was great fun, was well attended, with the best music, food, and good friends, and thanked the many individuals who volunteered their time and talents to ensure
its success.
!
Next, upcoming MAC programs were reviewed.
February will be a Valentines Dance featuring The Tom
Brusky’s Band. In observance of the club’s 20th anniversary in 2011, a variety of special programming has been
arranged throughout the year. The actual anniversary
party will take place in March and feature Stas
Venglevski & Friends. Sherry then referenced some of
the other entertainment which the board is currently
working on including the Skip Wagner Variety Show,
Squeezebox, Alex Meixner, and world digital accordion
champion, Cory Pesaturo. She cautioned members to
closely reference future Accordion Express newsletters
for program details, including an occasional deviation in
starting time.
!
Miscellaneous announcements included a reminder to check out the Reception Table for a variety of
handouts including MAC informational fliers; the Wisconsin Polka Boosters fliers, promoting their scholarship
fundraiser event on April 10 at the Richfield Chalet; and
the State Polka Festival at the Concord House in Concord, WI May 13-15. Shirl Barry then came forward
and announced details of an exciting concert by jazz
great, Frank Marocco, which will be held April 10 at
Mount Mary College in celebration of his 80th birthday
(See separate article elsewhere in the newsletter). Sherry
mentioned that she had visited the North East Wisconsin
Accordion Club in Green Bay, WI last week to attend the
Joseph Fajtik !
5714 Hwy 31
!
Racine WI 53402!
!
262-639-0439
Doug Krueger!
3840 W Ramsey
!
Milwaukee WI 53221!!
414-588-8689
performance of CopperBox and suggested others consider checking out the entertainment at some of our
neighboring accordion clubs.
After announcing that raffle tickets could still be
purchased, with the raffle drawing held during the
band’s intermission, the brief business meeting was
closed and the main feature – The Ed Hause Band with
Ron VandenBoom was introduced.
M.A.C. Club Calendar
(tba = to be announced)
Our 20th Anniversary Year 2011
February 28 Meeting Entertainment
Pre meeting • None Scheduled. Dance starts at 7:00
Student Artists • None
Headliner: • Valentines Dance, Tom Brusky Band
March 28 Meeting Entertainment [20th Anniv.]
Headliner: • Stas Venglevski, Robin Pluer and
!
!
!
Their Ensemble.
April 25 Meeting Entertainment
Headliner: • Skip Wagner & Group
May 23 Meeting Entertainment
Pre meeting • tba
Student Artists • tba
Headliner: • tba
June 27 Meeting Entertainment
Pre meeting • None Scheduled. Dance starts at 7:00
Student Artists • None
Headliner: • Squeezebox
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 4
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
Entertainment Review
by Sherry Huiras
!
Well, the dancers were out in full force at the Root
River Center on Monday, January 24th, and we know the
reason why. Word got out that the Ed Hause Band would
be playing for our listening and dancing pleasure. Ed and
the Band did not let us down.
!
They started the evening out playing their theme
song ‘Squeezers Polka’, after which Ron VanDenboom
introduced the band members. Band members included
Ed Hause on his Hengel Concertina and vocals, Ron
VanDenboom on banjo, electric guitar, vocals, Tom
Brusky on Polytonette Piano Accordion, Gil Melendez,
electric bass, BB Carter, drums and Vince Melendez, vocals.
!
Ron informed us that Tom and his Dad, Jim
Brusky playing tuba, were two of the original members of
this band. Since the band no longer has a tuba player,
when the band played the Schneider Polka, Ron accompanied the band by playing a very credible sounding ‘lip tuba
on the microphone’. As Ron explained, ‘It sure beats lugging around that big heavy tuba’.
!
There was a wide variety of dance music, including fox trots when playing Anytime, Ron and Ed harmonizing on Remember Me, Vince vocalizing on Drinking
Champagne, or Das Kufstein Lied with Ron rounding out
this German waltz with some yodeling, or the Firehouse
Polka with drummer, BB Carter, providing the sirens and
whistles, or a little Country Swing with I’m Throwing
Rice.
Was it just
me, or when
Ron sang
those mellow
tones, did
you get the
impression
that he was
singing only
to you? Do we sense a little crush here? Let’s just keep
this between us then. No need to mention this to Joanne.
!
It was plain to see that the Ed Hause Band is a
combo of finely skilled and talented musicians. They
played our familiar old-time, sing-along favorites while at
the same time providing us with the music we love to
dance to.
February 2011
Venglevski, Litvin and More
In Concert
Sunday March 6th
Peck School Of The Arts
2400 E. Kenwood Blvd
3:00 PM
Hi, friends –"
Here are details of an upcoming concert of mine on
MARCH 6TH, 3:00 PM." In addition to myself, Misha
Litvin, whom many of you are familiar with (domra/
mandolin), will appear along with William Jason Raynovich (cello) and Dana McCormick (piano)
"This program is
one of Yehuda Yannay’s “Music From
Almost Yesterday”
concerts which he
has tied into my
“Accordion XXI
Century” series
with a program of
chamber music and
includes Milwaukee premieres by composers from Russia,
USA, Germany, and Finland - professor Yannay’s Bayanette for Two, US premiere GRUS by Finnish composer
Tomi Raisanen, and Glimmer by Richard Warp."
"The concert will take place at the Peck School of the Arts,
2400 East Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee." Tickets are $12
for General admission, $10 for seniors, faculty, and
alumni, and $8 for students.
"Thanks in advance . . . and I look forward to seeing you at
future events. Have a great day . . . and GO PACKERS,
GO!
Stas Venglevski
"
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 5
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
The Museum Of Accordions
In Castelfidardo, Italy
From The City Of Casteldfidardo’s Official Website
The Museum of Accordions is located in the basement of the Castelfidardo city hall, and has an air of the
seventeenth century about it. The recently expanded museum is dedicated to the musical instrument that has been
of major importance to the city of Castelfidardo for over a
century.
!
The museum not only documents the story of our
beloved musical instrument, but also pays tribute to the
many craftsmen, artisans and industrial entrepreneurs,
who’s work has helped transform this area from an agricultural economy to an industrial one.
!
The construction of the museum makes it an effective education tool for the viewing the instruments. Photographic panels allow you to follow the evolutionary phases
of the accordion, classification, people that have have been
associated with it, including a fascinating world full of artisans and their pride and creativity.
!
The collection consists of about 350 pieces, all different, including the valuable collection of Giuseppe
Panini (the unforgettable “king” of the devoted fans of the
instrument), many of which are unique pieces from
twenty-two different countries. There is also a typical
workshop of the last century.
!
On the walls you will find a very interesting photographic documentation from 1890 to 1970, the works of
artists such as Marc Chagall, Tonino Guerra, Silvia Bug-
February 2011
ari, Rodolfo Gasparri and faithful reproductions of paintings by Giovanni Boldini, Fernand Leger, Gino Severini.
Dislocate inoltre nelle varie sale, opere di scultura di Stefano Pigini, Franco Campanari, Edgardo Mugnoz. Also
located in various rooms, works of sculpture by Stephen
Pigini, Campanari Franco, Edgardo Mugnoz.
!
Among the curiosities worth mentioning is a very
nice letter from Federico Fellini, the first disc recorded
with the accordion by Pietro Deiro, and the original score
of “Adios Nonino” by Astor Piazzolla.
!
The museum averages about 12,000 admissions
year, and is very popular with children.
!
Accordion
!
The three most popular accordion models are: the
diatonic, the sound is different depending on whether the
movement of the bellows is outward (opening) or return
(closing), the chromatic, which allows you to use the full
range of twelve-tone (the keyboard for the right hand of
this model is a button), the piano accordion in which the
keypad to the right hand is similar to that of a piano with
black and white keys.
Technology
!
The mechanical device for operating the valves of
the bass and chords is called a bass machine and is the
heart of the accordion’s left side.
!
In addition, workmanship is an important part an
accordion (think of the tightness of the bellows and valves
that open and close the air access to the reeds) and consists
of hundreds of pieces made of different materials.
(Continued On Next Page)
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 6
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
(Accordion Museum Continued From Previous Page)
!
Among the many materials used are fir, maple,
mahogany and walnut also steel, duralumin and brass
among metals, the precious cashmere, felt and canvas,
leather and lamb, goat and leather, celluloid, rubber and
beeswax.
Music for Accordion
!
The popularity of the accordion has also interested
some great musicians who have written for it and write
interesting scores.
!
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1883 to introduce an
accordion part in the Suite No. 2 in Do Maggiore. 2 in C
Major. Umberto Giordano in 1898 played the accordion in
the third act of Fedora. Alban Berg, in the first act of
Wozzek (1921) does the same.
Accordion Monument
!
On October 13, 2002, Castelfidardo could finally
open, thanks to the munificent generosity of Alberto Bacchiocchi, the long-awaited monument to the accordion and
the Work of the sculptor Franco Campanari, vibrant and
February 2011
2011 Accordion Festivals/Conventions
By Shirl Barry
Organizers of various national accordion organizations are
currently in the process of finalizing performances by their
headliners at the many accordion festivals/conventions
scheduled for 2011 and are updating their websites. Some
are more current than others and include on-line registration, as well as data on participation in accordion orchestras, competition requirements, etc. It is suggested that
MAC members access these sites for up-to-date postings
and, of course, will be informed through the Accordion
Express for additional pertinent information. For starters,
here is some preliminary data:
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
NATIONAL ACCORDION CONVENTION
March 10 - 12, 2011 - Westin Park Central Dallas TX
National Accordion Association PO Box 940165
Plano, TX 95094-0165 contact Greg Klugiewicz, Chmn.
(972) 272-2359
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
AMERICAN ACCORDION
MUSICOLOGICAL SOC.
April 1-3, 2011 – Whippany, NJ
Contact: 856-854-6628 www.aamsaccordionfestival.com
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS’ ASSO.
July 13-17, 2011 - Charleston, SC
Linda Soley-Reed, Pres. AAA1938@aol.com
www.ameraccord.com
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
inspired artist.
!
The work, cast in
bronze statues and placed
against the backdrop of Via
Matteotti Palace Sopranos,
has a height of seven meters
and a length of three, for a total of ten meters of surface.
!
The mythological figure of Hermes (Mercury of
the Latins), who is credited with the invention of the
seven-stringed lyre, rises from the bronze with the winged
sandals of the feet and hands, looking towards the sun, the
Accordion. ! At the base of the sculpture are engraved
on the one side the various stages of manufacture of the
instrument, the other side immortalizes famous accordionists and bands of the past and present.
ACCORDIONISTS & TEACHERS GUILD
July 27-31, 2011 - Orlando, FL
Dee Langley, Pres. 612-781-8192,
Atg.langley@gmail.com www.accordions.com/atg
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL
August 20 & 21, 2011 - La Plaza Park, Cotati, CA
Linda Conner & Scott Goree, geolinda@pacbell.net
www.cotatifest.com
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
LAS VEGAS INT’L CONV.
Nov. 1-4, 2011 - Las Vegas, NV
Paul Pasquale 1-801-486-1695 www.accordioninfo.com
~~~~~~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~-:-~~~~~~~~
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 7
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
The Marketplace
If you are looking to buy or sell something musical,
here’s the place to advertise
“ Wanted” and “For Sale” ads of personal musical items are free to our club
members for three monthly insertions after which the ad must be reinserted
if so desired. Non-members may advertise personal musical items for a cost
of $15 per insertion. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the editor be NOTIFIED
PROMPTLY IF ITEM IS SOLD so the ad can be stopped. All requests for
ads must be in writing, and include all the relevant descriptive information
and the submitting person’s full name, address and telephone number.
February 2011
Excelsior Accordion 120 bass 10 treb switches, 5 (?)
bass switches.Case incl.,
Plays like new. Owner motivated, all offers considered.
Edward Kulpit
847-245-7094
email: ek220@comcast,net
220 Dittmer, 1-B
Lindenhurst IL 60046
!
!
!
[4]
For Sale
Wanted
Sheet Music, also Books for Concertina, Accordion
and Piano. Contact:
LaVerne Salvat .....................................262-251-6074
!
!
!
!
[12]]
Morbidoni Professional Lesmann Accordion/Organ.
Inludes case and the ‘black box’ for
the organ sounds to work.excellent
clean condition,
Asking ............................... $800.
I live in Crandon, WI , so if you
don’t want to call long distance, you
can get basic information from
Glenn Schmidt at 414-543-6474
Lesman Accordion Roger Geldon ... 715-478-5832
If no answer, leave a message. I’ll
pay the phone charge.
!
!
!
!
[2]
2 Monitor Speakers. A C model CE-6 made in USA by
SLM Electronics. 50 watt handling capacity. Each has 6”
woofer and a tweeter. Can be pole mount or floor use.
Long connecting cords included. Reduced ....... $50 each
Jerry Smeiska ....................................... 414-453-4931
!
!
!
!
[2]
Castiglione Accordion 120 bass,7 treble, 3 bass shifts,
41 pearl keys, orig booklet and case incl. Excel. Cond.
Asking $865 or make offer.
Contact ..... Len Posanski
W135 S6948 Hale Park Dr.
Muskego, WI 53150
414-529-3337
Buying Accordions And Concertinas =
Call Carl ................................................. 414-321-3729
!
!
!
!
[7]
Are you looking to buy or sell a button box?
Button Box America Club has free for sale ads. Contact
their editor Jeannie Enabnit at 320-864-7669
!
Box 121, Glencoe, MN 55336
Music Lessons
Concertina, Piano Accordion or Keyboard.
Call Carl at .............................. 414 321 3729
[4]
Storing Your Accordion
!
Your accordion should be stored vertically, resting on the bass end. That is why there are usually four
little pads or “feet” for the accordion to rest on. Most
accordions have the reed valves vertical when the accordion is vertical. If the accordion is stored flat with
the keyboard horizontal, half the reed valves will hang
down upside down. When the accordion is kept in this
position, the valves (or leathers) as they are sometimes
called--being usually strips of special accordion reed
valve leather glued at one end, to prevent back air flow
when the reed on the other side of the plate is not
sounding--will permanently sag open, causing an unpleasant snuffling or rattling sound when the accordion
is played.
[4]
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 8
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
February 2011
Contact Stas Venglevski: 262-641-9056 or Shirl
Hollywood Comes to Wisconsin! Barry: 414-543-7714
for additional information about the
“Accordion XXI Century - Artistry on a Global Scale” concert, the workshop, or becoming an Accordion XXI
Century sponsor.
Proudly Presents Frank Marocco in Concert
by Shirl Barry
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011 – 3:00 PM,
MOUNT MARY COLLEGE
2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy, Milwaukee, WI
In the world of accordion performance, Frank Marocco is a giant - not only for his mastery of the instrument
itself, but for his highly developed musicality. Frank is a
consummate jazz artist and gifted composer with numerous of his own albums to his credit, however, in any style,
whether the concert stage or in the recording studio, his
playing is technically brilliant and musically superb. He is
one of the most recorded accordionists in America (and
possibly the world), having played on a vast number of
movie soundtracks, television scores, commercial jingles
and recording albums, in the studios of Hollywood and
beyond.
We in the Milwaukee area are afforded the opportunity to hear Frank in concert as part of the Accordion
XXI Century’s Artist Series, founded in 2010 by Stas
Venglevski so that Midwest audiences can experience the
amazing range of the accordion. Truly, one of the few
musical instruments to have touched the hearts of people
over many centuries, the accordion exhibits its distinctive
combination of unique sounds and dramatic presentation.
This event will be in observance of Frank’s 80th birthday
and feature him performing as soloist and with sidemen as
well as other supporting musician guests. Concert tickets
are $20. Additionally, the next day, Monday, April 11,
2011 at noon, you’ll have the chance to join Frank as he
conducts a workshop at Cascio’s Interstate Music in New
Berlin. It is not required that you have an accordion for
this session. Attendance at the workshop is $10.
Do you remember the episode of M*A*S*H where
a USO troop consisting of an accordionist and lady vocal
group entertains the 4077th, and Radar joins them by
playing drums? You may have felt you recognized the accordionist. If you thought he looked a lot like Frank Marocco, you were correct. Marocco was the touring accordionist even though he was not mentioned in that episode.
He confirmed it when questioned at an appearance at a
Milwaukee Accordion Club performance a few years ago..
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 9
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
February 2011
Ed Hause Band
Music Makes The Heart Beat Faster
Wise Guys
(and gals)
advertise in the
Accordion Express.
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 10
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
February 2011
Pictures
Ed Hause Band
Ron Vandenboom
B B Carter
Ed Hause
Gil Melendez
Photos this month by Jerry Smeiska
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 11
The Milwaukee Accordion Club
February
First 2011
Class
Postage
The Accordion Express
Milwaukee Accordion Club
% G. E. Smeiska
ph: 414-453-4931
524 North 106 Street
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-4225
Address Service Requested – Thank You
Time Sensitive – First Class Mail
Milwaukee Accordion Club Membership Information
If you appreciate the many voices of the accordion you are welcome to join us. Annual membership is $24.00 and includes the newsletter
and all membership privileges. If you live outside Wisconsin and only want to subscribe to the newsletter, the annual cost is $15.00
(Includes no membership privileges). Please complete the application below and make remittance payable to:
“Milwaukee Accordion Club”
and mail to our treasurer:
c/o Kathleen Borchert
1621 A. W. Edgerton Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53221
Milwaukee Accordion Club Membership Application
(Please Print All Information For Readability)
Name_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________________ State_________ Zip Code________________-____________
Telephone (_______)_________-______________ email address_______________________________________________
My Skills or Interests that
could help the club are: [ ]Accounting. [ ]Internet/Web. [ ]Writing. [ ]Board Member. [ ]Other_____________
Playing Level: [ ]Professional [ ]Hobbyist [ ]Accordion Enthusiast
[ ]Other __________________________
Please Enclose: [ ] $24.00 for full membership (1 Yr) or [ ] $15 for 1 Yr. out of Wisc. (Subscription Only)
Today’s Date________________ Instrument I Play is:_______________________________________________
The Accordion Express .......................... Page 12