2010 Souvenir Program — 20th Anniversary
Transcription
2010 Souvenir Program — 20th Anniversary
D N A • Flaco Jimenez • Dick Contino • Polkacide • Los Texmaniacs • Culann’s Hounds • The Alex Meixner Band • Tara Linda • Eddie Monteiro • The Creaking Planks • The Great Morgani • Sourdough Slim • Gaucho • La Familia Peña-Govea • The Truccos • Due Zighi Baci • Duckmandu • Shamalamacord • The Mad Maggies • II Fuoco with Steve Albini • The Golden State Accordion Club Band • The International House of Accordions • The Creole Belles • JD Limelight • Accordion Babes & The Hubbub Club Street Band • Rare Cuts /Lemme Adams • The Wild Catahoulas • The Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band • Mark St. Mary • AnD So MuCH MoRE! 2010 Souvenir Program — 20th Anniversary Friar Tucks PubSi Ca te o and Spirits d jun f 2 BrIng your dancIn' shoes an / 0 Ce Zyd 10 Pa eCo rt y 1:00 TO 5:00 BOTH DAYS Saturday, august 21st The Creole Belles Sunday, august 22nd Mark St. Mary LARGE WOODEN DANCE FLOOR ➤ ➤ ➤ We're located in the Inn of the Beginning building. Some of our Specialty dinnerS include: ➤ our famous corned Beef dinner served everyday. ➤ try our original corned Beef Quesadilla appetizer. ➤ irish meatballs are made from our family's secret recipe. ➤ try the marcus dean Burger. ➤ our Braveheart chicken Salad is amazing. ➤ fish tacos are simply great and a hit on our menu. • NFL SUNDAY TICKET • POOL LEAGUES • FULL bAr • FULL-SErvICE mENU • DArTS • KArAOKE • OUTDOOr DrINKING & DINING • 17 bEErS ON TAP • mUSIC • why go anywhere elSe?! BL EAR DOWNTOWN COTATI SOUTH OF WEST SIERRA ENTRANCE OO LY SPE DY MA CIA RY LS open 11:00 am to 2am 7 dayS a WeeK 8201 Old Redwood Hwy. • Cotati, CA 94931 • (707) 792-9847 friartucks@friartuckspub.com w e l c o m e to the 20th ANNIVeRSARY of the cotati Accordion Festival table of Contents Festival Map ......................................................................................... 4 What’s Happening at the Festival? ........................................................ 5 Honorary Director: Clifton Buck-Kauffman ........................................ 7 Documentary Film “Behind the Bellows” ............................................. 18 Steve Balich Sr. - Everything you've ever wanted to know ..................... 51 Pat Ryan, Analog Artist in a Digital Age............................................... 53 Art Van Damme and Lloyd Draper Obituaries ................................... 58 Schedule of events ....................................................................32-33 Sponsors and Thank You! ..............................................................61-62 Performer Biographies: The Alex Meixner Band .................................................................. 27 Big Lou’s Polka Casserole ............................................................... 25 The Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band ...................................................... 51 Dick Contino ................................................................................ 13 The Creaking Planks ....................................................................... 57 The Creole Belles ............................................................................ 42 Culann’s Hounds ........................................................................... 23 Duckmandu .................................................................................. 21 Due Zighi Baci .............................................................................. 35 Gaucho featuring Rob Reich ......................................................... 45 Jim Gilman ................................................................................... 50 The Golden State Accordion Club Band ......................................... 15 The Great Morgani ......................................................................... 39 The Hubbub Club Street Band/Accordion Babes ............................ 37 Il Fuco with Steve Albini ............................................................... 17 The International House of Accordions........................................... 25 JD Limelight ................................................................................. 55 Flaco Jimenez .................................................................................. 9 La Familia Peña-Govea .................................................................. 56 Los Texmaniacs.............................................................................. 11 The Mad Maggies ........................................................................... 29 Mary St. Mary ............................................................................... 43 Eddie Monteiro ............................................................................. 17 Polkacide ....................................................................................... 19 Rare Cuts with Lemme Adams ...................................................... 55 Shamalamacord ............................................................................. 36 Sourdough Slim............................................................................. 31 Tara Linda ..................................................................................... 49 Steve & Mike Trucco ..................................................................... 44 The Wild Catahoulas ...................................................................... 41 3 The Cotati Accordion Festival is a non-profit organization which donates all monies earned to a number of youth groups in our community. Handicapped parking: 8020 Old Redwood Hwy and in front of Korean Baptist Church 81 West Cotati P.o. Box 809, Cotati, CA 94931 (707) 664-0444 Fax: (707) 585-2920 email: info@cotatifest.com LA PLAZA Main Stage L A Beer, Soda, Food Booths RE O O S W. SIERRA E N T E R D HW ST. . E. R E I AV AT OT C AZ ING K PAR . ST PL A LOT OLIVER'S MARKET AA VE . ER R AR LES LLE SA ST. LA HENRY CH WIL LIA M U TH AR LA PLAZA AF Friar Tuck’s (Zydeco) . . WY 4 AV E H OD Visit our vendors for fabulous food and merchandise. K WO new VEnDoR CouRT ED DR OL PA R W. SI T. See enlarged area above OL HO NC RA OL S accordion Workshops & BreakFasTs Lion’s Club Bldg. Next to Fire Dept. Y. EL CHO LA accordion Workshops & BreakFasTs Lion’s Club Bldg. Next to Fire Dept. H W Y T OO E. W. COTATI AV 101 B B O O T H S GEORGE ST. R E D W O O D H DW CHURCH LOT E. S ③ ④ Polka Dance Area D . ST O L D 1. Official Souvenir Booth 1. Official and Lost & Found Souvenir Booth 2. Raffle Tickets 2. Raffle Tickets 3. Jam Tent 3. Wine Jam Tent Tent 4. 4. First Wine Tent 5. Aid ⑤ OL O .J ST ➀ ➁ P L A Z A www.cotatifest.com H Kids’ Area Side Stage VISIt oUR WeB SIte: P SE La PLaza Restrooms Booth & Ad Sales, Editor: Linda Conner Voice: (707) 585-2910 Fax: (707) 585-2920 Email: geolinda@pacbell.net 116 E N T E R VET'S HALL PARKING LOT what’s Happening at the festival... Main Stages In Front of Park Stage 25 Accordion Acts Lady of Spain-A-Ring 9:45 am-8:30 pm 2:00 pm both days. Polka Dance Tent Accordion Documentary Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band Behind the Bellows and friends 1-5 pm both days Zydeco Dance Party in Polka Tent Wild Catahoulas presented both days in the Lion’s Club facility beside the Firehouse. See details on page 18. 5:05-6:30 pm both days Plus: Beer, Raffle, Jam Tent, Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party Accordion Pancakes, at Friar Tuck’s Pub Booths, Sausage and Eggs at The Creole Belles Sat. Wine Tent, Lion’s Club Facility Mark St. Mary Sun. 7 am to 11 am AND TakE-OuT TOO! MORE! 1:00-5:00 pm both days bOTh dayS PETALUMA Petaluma Home Loans HOME LOANS We're here to serve you. Petaluma Home loans is a local mortgage banker dedicated to serving our clients best interests. We specialize in Refinances and Purchases. We are dedicated to working with first time home buyers, and loans on Bank owned and short sale properties, via Coventional, Jumbo, FHa and Va loans. We focus on loans in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, santa Rosa, sebastopol, sonoma, novato and Windsor. However, we continue to do many loans throughout the Bay area and state of California. Ken McCoy Mortgage Banker/Broker Office (707) 773-4200 Fax (707) 773-4204 Cell (707) 484-4040 kmccoy@petalumahomeloans.com 628 E. Washington St. Suite B nMLS# 218630/1850 DRE# 06012538/01215943 Petaluma, CA 94952 5 6 The Cotati Accordion Festival’s 2010 Honorary Director "If not for Clifton, the Accordion Festival would not exist, period." — Rebecca Browne clifton Buck-Kauffman By Dave Williams Ever since 1991, thousands upon thousands of people have crowded La Plaza Park in Cotati for one weekend in August to celebrate the accordion. The annual Cotati Accordion Festival, now in its 20th year, may not be the biggest festival or musical event in Sonoma County, but one would be hard-pressed to find a more funfilled and quirky form of entertainment. And those who have enjoyed this festival over the years have Clifton Buck-Kauffman to thank for it. Rebecca Browne, former president of the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, summed it up best when she said, “If not for Clifton, the accordion festival would not exist, period.” Clifton Buck-Kauffman had been a volunteer for a number of local service organizations, including the Cotati Chamber of Commerce and the Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County. But it is the accordion festival that will be his lasting legacy. The festival has grown into an event that draws accordion loyalists from all over the country and has made Cotati a destination point for many. Buck-Kauffman ran the festival for 14 years before stepping away. To honor his years as the producer of the festival, he has been named the honorary director this year. Buck-Kauffman now lives in Vietnam, but will make his first return to the festival this year. “I’m happy with my life now, but I miss seeing some of the people I worked with and the performers who played at the festival,” Buck-Kauffman said. “There are a lot of wonderful people in the accordion world. I’m looking forward to coming back and saying hello to some of my old friends, and it’ll be nice to be able to walk around the festival without having any work to do.” Along with booking acts and negotiating contracts for the festival, Buck-Kauffman also had to organize the numerous volunteers to keep the festival running smoothly. “Clifton was definitely the ringleader,” Browne said. “A lot of people came up with so many ideas on how to make the festival successful, but he was able to keep everybody focused. He himself was a volunteer from the beginning and a huge investor. He put a lot of his own money into it. Clifton was adamant about reminding people that this was a benefit and we were raising money. He got people to put on their gracious hats and knock down prices on continued on page 46 7 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention aS Se THe T en On Onig SHOW HT ! 1760 south 450 West salt Lake city, utah 84115 For details & registration materials for this exciting event call hoTLine 800-472-1695 The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino Nov. 1-4 2010 11 L a n a nU TH www.AccordionStars.com 4 days & 4 nights of accordion Fun! JOIN US! Concerto DA-250 Digital Acoustic Accordion • BorsiniUSADistributor • PiermariaUSADistributor • Accordionsofalltypes • GabbanelliAccordions • Straps,Cases,Accessories • ExpertRepair&Service • Exciting New ROLAND V-Accordions We carry the Roland V-Accordions Accordions internAtionAl 1760 South 450 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 For more information on any of our products, call us at (801) 485-5840 or visit us on the World Wide Web at: Q8 www.accordioninfo.com 8 Flaco Jimenez What B.B. King is to the Blues, or George Jones is to traditional country, Grammy-winning accordionist Flaco Jimenez is to the world of Tex-Mex Conjunto. Jimenez is universally recognized as a leading exponent of the authentic South Texas Conjunto. While there are many masters of the accordion along the Texas-Mexican border, none have toured Europe, Japan and other points overseas or recorded with as many pop, rock and country artists as Jimenez. By all accounts, Jimenez is an international icon for the accordion-fueled Conjunto genre. Flaco Jimenez, the pioneering icon of Conjunto and Tejano music, was destined to be a great musician. He grew up in the barrios of San Antonio listening and learning his famous father’s trade. At age seven, Flaco was already performing with his father on stage in front of live audiences. He had acquired a love for the music and would make a career out of it. By the time he was 15, he was in the studios making records as a member of the group Los Caporales and soon thereafter was given his father’s nickname of “Flaco”, which means skinny or thin. After playing the local saloons and dance halls in San Antonio for years, he acquired a solid reputation as a unique musician and stylist. In the 1960’s he teamed up with a fellow musician Douglas Sahm, the founding member of the famous rock band The Sir Douglas Quintet, and then went on to New York to jam with Bob Dylan and Dr. John. He traveled the world with Ry Cooder and David Lindley, receiving international acclaim for his contributions to Cooder’s landmark album, Chicken Skin Music. His performances had taken him worldwide, from the barrios of the Southside of San Antonio to the elegant inaugural halls of the White House; from 5-time grammy-award winner and pioneer of Conjuncto and Tejano Music — Flaco Jimenez the gardens of the orient in Japan to the gardens of Central Park in New York City; from the yodel country of the Swiss to the country of Mariachi land of Mexico; and from Gay París to Happy Hollow. Even though his lyrics may not be understood by some, his music is loved by all. It establishes an international bond of all languages. Flaco’s Conjunto style music is derived from many cultural backgrounds: from its original Tex-Mex style to HonkyTonk Country and Rock and Roll, to the ever-present Tejano music. His unique style of music has earned him five Grammys, and he is just getting better. continued on page 60 9 Castiglione Accordion and Distributing Company ✦ 600 accordions in stock … both New and Used ✦ 70 years in the accordion business ✦ All kinds of used accordions ✦ Buy, Sell, Trade ACCORDIONS: Piano, Roland, Folklore, Excelsior, Guerrini, Hohner, Soprani, Sonola, Scandalli, Victoria, Novak, Dellape, Melodija, Strasse, Jet, Stagi, Bugari Concertinas, Anglos, English & Bandoneons, Bugari Accordions MIDI ACCORDIONS: Excelsious, Master, Musictech, Bugari, and Logic Systems, Orla & CIAO Reedless, Musictech Wireless We carry the Roland V-Accordions The World’s First Complete Digital Accordion Integrates powerful digital technology such as new Physical Behavior Modeling (PBM) into a traditional design, which appeals to a wide variety of musical styles. Castiglione Accordion & Distributing Company Importers and Exporters E-mail: johncast@bignet.net • Web: www.castiglioneaccordions.com 13300E. 11 Mile, Suite A Warren, MI 48089-1367 Voice: (586) 755-6050 Fax: (586) 755-6339 10 Los Texmaniacs Los Texmaniacs los Texmaniacs Max Baca, the leader of Los Texmaniacs, was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His grandfather was an amateur accordion player, and his father, Max Baca, Sr., played accordion in his own band. Narciso Martínez was one of his father’s idols, and Baca treasured his recordings. At age five, Max started learning accordion. “I was five years old, and I learned the polka ‘Monterrey.’ The second song I learned was ‘In the Mood’.” This openness to incorporating the musical sounds around him into the conjunto music he inherited from this father portended the future direction of his musical career. Max remembers not having a normal childhood. In school he got in trouble for writing songs during math class. “It was all about music for me,” he recalls. His father made Max and his brother Jimmy practice, and by the age of eight, Max was playing electric bass in his father’s conjunto. The group played three or four nights a week, a necessity to bring food to the family table. Max cherishes memories of the many trips with his father to see Flaco Jiménez perform in the Fronterizo dance club in Lubbock, Texas. People called Jiménez “the dance hall filler” (“el llena salones”) because of the crowds he attracted with his dynamic accordion playing. Max was seven years old and could barely see over the stage floor. “Man, I’d continued on page 12 11 and Lorenzo Martínez on drums. David Farías comes from a prominent South Texas musical family. His father and uncle were musicians, and the group with his five brothers was known first as Los Hermanos Farías. He started playing music with his family at age eight and played with them professionally for thirtyfour years. He remembers missing most school days because he had to play late seven nights a week with his father and brothers to support the family. He parted ways with La Tropa F in 2006, the precise moment in which Baca was looking for a new accordionist for Los Texmaniacs. “Being with the Texmaniacs has been a blessing,” he says. As to his philosophy of playing: “A lot of people tell us we’re having a lot of fun onstage... I’ve learned that, through the years;...you be yourself, be humble. You play from your heart, and music comes out beautiful.” David’s musical models are many, but Flaco Jiménez and Mingo Saldívar are at the top of his list. Farías credits his accordion sound to Jiménez, who tunes David’s accordion reeds to sound like his own. Óscar García started with accordion when he was five and eventually became good enough to play dual accordions in his father’s band, Los Alegres de Texas. He learned drums, then bajo sexto, then bass, mastering all the instruments of the conjunto. Along the way, he also learned to sing both primera (first) and segunda (second, harmonizing) vocal parts, making him a complete conjunto musican. Lorenzo Martínez plays drums and sings on this album, though he is a multifaceted musician. When Max Baca was on tour in Los Angeles with the Texas Tornados in the early 1990s, he met Lorenzo playing in the Texan-style group, Los Rock Angels, and the two began a longterm musical relationship Lorenzo began playing with Los Texmaniacs in 2003 and remained a regular member of the group’s pool of regulars. ▲ Los texmaniacs continued from page 11 get goose bumps right when these guys were ready to get on the stage.” When he was twelve, Max and brother Jimmy formed their own group, Los Hermanos Baca. One night, Flaco invited them to come on stage with him and play. Flaco remembers the moment: “The people went crazy to see two young kids just tearing it up and doing it right. And for their age, I felt that there was going to be a future for either Jimmy or Max, especially Max because of the bajo sexto. He could handle it real good.” Max idolized Flaco and his music: “It was my ultimate dream to play with Flaco Jimenez.” Twenty years later, it came true. Max had been playing in Albuquerque with Los Hermanos Baca when Flaco invited him to come to San Antonio and play bajo sexto in his band. Flaco showed him the old techniques and encouraged him to play all twelve strings, in contrast to many other players who ignored the lower strings, relegating the bass line entirely to the electric bass. The freedom to relate to the rock and roll sound of his youth as well to as the traditional conjunto roots from his father appealed to him and felt natural. Doug Sahm’s death in 1999 led to the decline of the Texas Tornados. Max continued to play with Flaco, but wanted to keep the creative flame of the Texas Tornados alive in his own work. In 1997, he created Los Texmaniacs. His concept was to keep the rock and roll dimension of his music going while at the same time sticking to the roots of conjunto, especially the accordion and bajo sexto. Over the years, Los Texmaniacs has attracted a cadre of first-rate conjunto musicians. Some of them continue to play regularly in the group. In addition to Max Baca, three others complete the conjunto sound: David Farías on accordion, Óscar García on electric bass, 12 The Legendary Dick Contino Dick contino The World’s Greatest Accordionist the early years Dick Contino was born of Italian parentage on January 17, 1930, in Fresno, California. He attended Fresno High and played fullback on the football team until his father found out and forced him to stop. As another activity, Dick played his accordion in the school assemblies and at special functions. His accordion playing popularized him so well that he easily won the class presidency at election time. Dick was interested in getting on a national broadcast and his ambition was to gain popularity and recognition as an accordion soloist and to make popular an instrument that had not been too successful in the entertainment world. But jobs were not easy to-find. His family decided finally that they would move to Los Angeles because they thought there were greater musical opportunities there for this gifted boy. Dick’s mother sent him to the local musician’s union to get his transfer to the Los Angeles local. Luck was with Dick Contino, the handsome, talented, unknown accordion player who had been denied the opportunity to demonstrate his ability before the American public. Horace Heidt, the master showman and an old friend of many years standing with audiences everywhere, was coming out of retirement to go back on the air with his “Original Youth Opportunity Program”. The show was dedicated to bringing before the American people not only the finest in entertainment, but also to giving talented young people everywhere an opportunity to display their talents and win recognition in their chosen fields. Horace felt the only way possible to achieve this would be to take his show to the people, so that those who could not leave the security of their homes to take a chance in Hollywood or New York, would have an equal opportunity to pass through the “door of opportunity”. Instead of a typical Hollywood premier of his new show with much fanfare, Horace scheduled his first broadcast for a typical American city, Fresno, California. An advance-man was sent to Fresno to search for talent to represent that city and compete for fame and fortune with the American public acting as judge. When Dick Contino walked into the Fresno Musicians’ Union to get his transfer to Los Angeles, one secretary of the union introduced him to Heidt’s talent scout, who asked him to audition for him the following day. Dick was filled with such hope and continued on page 14 13 himself as one of the premier entertainers of our time. Dick stars in main showrooms from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and headlines many fairs and festivals throughout America. The California native who has become known as the “world’s greatest accordionist,” recently completed a national tour in which he broke house records from coast to coast. During his career, Dick has played virtually every major stage and television show. He has also starred in films and daytime television. What sets Dick apart is a combination of innovative musical styling and a personal philosophy developed through the experienced turmoil of early stardom and the vicissitudes of show business. He has attained an inner peace that makes him a delight to be near. Dick Contino continued from page 13 excitement that he did not tell his folks about the audition, not wanting to build up their hopes if his audition was not successful. The advance man was greatly impressed with Dick’s ability, and arranged for him to audition for Horace Heidt. Horace was equally impressed, and at long last Dick’s dream of appearing on a national broadcast came true when Horace selected him as one of four contestants to appear on the initial Phillip Morris broadcast. It was on the otherwise calm night of December 7, 1946 Dick made his appearance on the first Horace Heidt - Phillip Morris broadcast. Dick gave his rendition of Lady of Spain and the bobbysox audience stomped, clapped, and yelled “I treat my audience as a loving relationship. I feed it and it feeds me." — Dick Contino with frenzy, declaring him the winner by a margin of a full 30 points on the applause meter, awarding him first prize of $250. Thirteen straight weeks of competition later with overpowering results on the applause meter from California to Broadway, Contino stood up to a microphone at Manhattan’s radio station WNBC and slapped out Bumble Boogie romping away with the first Horace Heidt Quarter Finals and a prize of $750. He became a permanent member of the Musical Knights and toured theaters and auditoriums from coast to coast. He went on to win the 1948 GRAND FINALS and the first prize money of $5,000. With the Horace Heidt show as his launching pad, Dick went on to become the most famous accordionist in history. Dick believes, “I allow my life to consume my art, rather than let my art consume me.” Famous for his distinctive playing technique, the bellow shake, he is able to coax out of the instrument a warmth bordering on passion. Contino is intimate. He presents himself with a feeling of moment to moment spontaneity. Although best known for his million sellers such as Lady of Spain, Granada and Tico Tico, he is equally at ease with current show material. Contino also surprises audiences with his fine vocal stylings. His popularity has only grown as every year thousands of new fans discover this artist’s unique entertainment abilities. Able to completely captivate an audience of any size with his charm, great looks and technical virtuosity, Contino is nothing short of amazing THERE IS ONLY ONE DICK CONTINO! Dick’s Current Bio Dick Contino, the legendary virtuoso of the accordion, is once again proving 14 The Golden State Accordion Club Band The group was formed out of the Golden State Accordion Club. The band is made up of several types of accordions, including piano, button box and chromatic. These instruments are perfect for our European style music. We are strong promoters of polka and waltz music because of the fun, good times, and enjoyment this music gives to our audiences. We believe this ethnic music is wonderful to play, and we have made a commitment to keep it alive. The Golden State Accordion Club started in 1991 and is a very active organization. We meet three times a month at the following three locations: Sacramento Chapter meets every 4th Wednesday at: Dante Club, 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd., music starts at 6:30 pm. Vacaville Chapter meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at: Creekside Bar and Grill, 555 Main Street, music starts at 6:30. Humboldt Chapter meets every 3rd Tuesday at Humboldt Swiss Club, 4503 Tomkins Hill Road, Loleta, music starts at 7:00 p.m. More info available on line at www.gsaccordionclub.netfirms.com. The club is also very proud of its scholarship program, which helps make sure accordion music is available to young players. This past year the club gave out 16 scholarships to youngsters ranging in age from 6 to 15. At this point we have given out more the $25,000 in scholarships. We hope that you will be able to visit us at one of our club meetings; and, if you would like more information about this club or band, stop by our jam tent here at Cotati or you can contact Carole at 707-864-2359. ▲ 15 ® The Roland V-Accordion Full Line of Models for 2010 A World of New Possibilities ® Combining the familiar sounds and playing feel of a traditional acoustic accordion with the advantages of a modern digital musical instrument, a Roland V-Accordion takes your music to places you’ve never imagined. With both piano-type and button-type models to choose from, there’s an instrument to suit every player. A new level of expression has been realized with the introduction of the FR-7x/b and FR-3x/b. Many new features include: faster response, greater bellow sensitivity, new accordion models, virtual tone wheel organs and a USB port. Discover the V-Accordion and explore a world of new creative possibilities. To learn more about the exciting world of Roland V-Accordions, visit www.RolandUS.com, or contact our Roland V-Accordion specialist, Steve Albini at 323.890.3700, ext 2353. 02131_CotatfestAccordionAd_8-10.indd 1 16 7/7/10 12:24 PM Eddie Monteiro Eddie Monteiro has over 30 years of musical performance in classical, jazz, dance, theater, cabaret and choral ensembles. Eddie is also the youngest honoree elected to American Accordionists’ Association Hall of Fame, November 1994. Member of Bobb Rosengarden, Skitch Henderson, Peter Duchin, Ray Bloch, Michael Lanin and Marty Ames, orchestras from 1971 to present, performing in the New York Metropolitan area and worldwide. Featured member of pit orchestra on stage in Broadway revival performance of Carnival and recording of radio and television jingles for Sesame Street, General Foods, Colgate Palmolive, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bennigan’s Restaurants, Pontiac and more. Lead artist of innumerable society bands performing throughout the world at social events, political gatherings and corporation conventions. Eddie serves currently as the Music Teacher, Choral Director, Vocal and Instrumental Music Director for the Ann Street Elementary School. Eddie joined the Roland team in the spring of 2008 as a V-Accordion Product Specialist. His skill and musical talents make him an important member of their team. ▲ Il Fuco with Steve Albini The Italian phrase “passione e fuoco,” (“passion and fire,”) truly describes the music of singer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Albini. His performances of Italian music fused with jazz and world rhythms have brought him international acclaim. He has enchanted audiences throughout the United States and Italy with a blend of musical virtuosity and artistic passion. Some of Steve’s musical influences include: Domenico Modugno, Renato Carosone, Paco De Lucia, Al di Meola, Gipsy Kings, Chucho Valdes, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Guiseppe DiStefano, Astor Piazzolla, Art Van Damme, and Richard Galliano. Besides Italian music, Steve enjoys performing the standards of the Great American Songbook (Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter etc.) continued on page next page 17 dions, Colombo and Sons accordions, Takemine and Hammer Guitars, Line 6 guitar amplification, Roland Fantom XR synth and sampler sound modules, Byerdynamic Microphones and FBT professional sound. .. Il Fuco with Steve Albini continued from last page as well as his own compositions. As a studio musician he is often called upon by artists, composers, and producers to add his touch to their projects. His latest CD release Italia is a fusion of Italian standards with world, jazz and Latin American musical forms. Steve uses and performs with: Concerto Accordions, Roland VAccordions, Bugari Armando accor- Il Fuoco featuring Steve Albini: John Douglas: saxophones, clarinet and flute Stephen La Porta: drums and percussion Marcie Brown: cello Daniela Innocenti: vocals ▲ ACCORDION DOCUMENTARY Behind the Bellows: A Documentary on the Accordion Researched, directed and narrated by Steve Mobia Seven years in the making, this one hour movie is the first American documentary about the beloved but often misunderstood squeezebox: its history and variety as well as its effect on popular culture. Film contains insightful interviews with accordion legends such as Anthony Gall-Rini, Guy Klucevsek, and Dick Contino among many others. You’ll see the original drawings for the accordion’s patent of 1829 as well as the first design of the concertina. Visit an accordion museum and a factory where the instrument’s many parts are created. Venture through several types of concertinas, button boxes as well as a presentation of MIDI accordions. See historic clips of Guido Diero, Art Van Damme, Lawrence Welk and Frankie Yankovic. Discover why “Lady of Spain” is associated with the accordion. See the first attempt to make a rock-n-roll accordion. And listen to where the accordion might be headed in the future. Screening times are 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm both days and are also held in the Lion’s Club Buiding across the street next to the firehouse. Showing for CAF attendies only. Admission is free. See page two for a detailed map. ▲ This is truly amazing don't miss it — ED is proud to support the Cotati Accordion Festival Nadine Wolford AVP & Branch Manager, Cotati 707.792.4990 wolfordn@exchangebank.com Member FDIC www.exchangebank.com 18 Polkacide Polkacide Celebrating 25 Years of Accordion Mayham In 1985 Polkacide played its first gig at San Francisco’s Punk Palace The Mabuhay Gardens “AKA The Fab Mab”. The band’s original lineup included 14 people, most of whom had played with local punk and or art-noise bands including Flipper, Rova Saxophone Quartet, Bad Posture, Tragic Mulatto, and the Geeks. The band had been assembled to play a party for the San Francisco Club For The Deaf, a club for the local deaf community. For some time the Deaf Club had hosted Punk Shows in its Valencia Street apartment/office. The punks got a venue, the deaf folks got some income from the punks and music loud enough for them to feel. In the fall of 1984, the club was planning a party for it’s members and wanted a band which played loud enough to be felt - enabling dancing - but which didn’t look, “too weird”. A local promoter contacted by the Deaf Club was kicking the idea around with some friends when one of them said jokingly, “how about a polka band”?, and one thing led to another. Bandleader Ward Abronski gathered some traditional polka arrangements, contacted friends from local bands, organized some rehearsals, and Polkacide was born. The band had so much fun rehearsing that when the Deaf Club opted to have a picnic rather than a dance, the newly minted, “polka punks” decided to have a show anyway. In these last 25 years, Polkacide has played clubs, festivals events, weddings, funerals, performed with a truly eclectic variety of bands including Sun Ra, and has been featured in national and international media.(People Magazine, Interview, SPIN, Nash Bridges Soundtrack and videogame Escape From Lego Island.) What began in irony has developed into one of the wildest, loudest, goofiest dance bands the Bay Area has ever produced. Larger waistlines and higher hairlines maybe in evidence on stage, but so are the tightness of arrangements and level of musicianship which come from 25 years of playing together. They may be knocking on heaven’s door, but these old farts can still take over a room and whip an audience into a beery dancing sweaty mob. See them now before they all end up in the Home For Broken Down Polka Geezers. Note: According to a ruling by a New York State Court, polka dancing is an, “inherently dangerous activity”. Guests are urged to bear this in mind when planning their evenings wardrobe. Steel-toed boots are recommended. continued on page 20 19 Polkacide continued from page 19 about the members Ward abronski: saxophones, whistles, toys, ukulele, vocals, front man. neil Basa: clarinet, ocarina, vocals, sargeant-at-arms. Billy dee Boom: drums. J.X. lovejones: tenor sax, clarinet, toys, vocals. alistair Shanks: bass, vocals, soul patch. lawrence Jarach: trombone, resident EMT, vocals. John Hensley nieuwguyski: trumpets, trombone, baritone horn, vocals, sex appeal. max Baloian: guitar, percussion, accordion, vocals. aaron Seeman: accordion. ▲ 20 Mexican & Seafood Family Restaurant Seafood Specialties: Oysters Crab Quesadillas Shrimp Enchiladas Fish Tacos Prawn & Calamari Dishes Paella Seafood Fajitas Zarzuela (Mexican Cioppino) COTATI 7384 Commerce Blvd. (707) 792-4380 Duckmandu Aaron Seeman’s onslaught of solo accordion and vocals has astounded audiences of all shapes and sizes. Maximum Rock ’n Roll, the premier punk magazine, pronounced him “over the top!” for his note-for-note renditions of the entire first Dead Kennedys album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. His repertoire also includes, but is not limited to, 70’s rock, Broadway, klezmer, classical, country, Sousa marches, punk rock, and even a polka or two. Rather than play hokey accordion versions of these songs, Duckman/Seeman seeks to demonstrate that accordion and vocals alone can evoke the spirit of the song, whether the hard driving rock of AC/DC, the wide vocal range and sonic landscape of Boston, or the supersonic speeds and driving force of Dead Kennedys. The accordion received a triple blow to its image in American culture that by the 1960’s had done serious damage. First, millions of American children were forced to play the unwieldy instrument against their wills. Second, Lawrence Welk’s widely watched show focused only on the geekiest, corniest aspects of the instrument. Third, there was the rise of rock ’n roll and the electric guitar. This is not to say that the Duckman renounces geekiness, far from it. But America and the world must be reminded what a powerful and versatile instrument the accordion can be. In addition to his accordionizationizing, Aaron Seeman is a founding member, arranger, and vocalist with San Francisco’s Punk Rock Orchestra, which performs full scale orchestral versions of classic punk songs. He also plays accordion in Shamalamacord, Polkacide, and Red Hot Chachkas. Aaron Seeman was a founding member of the eclectic Romanian Musicinspired folk group Fishtank Ensemble. He has recorded with Mr. Bungle and Estradasphere. He is the composer of a modern classical opera “Opium: Diary of a Cure.” He currently resides in Oakland, California. ▲ Cotati is now home to Mercy Wellness Center, a new medical marijuana dispensary. We are providing safe access to medical marijuana. Legally licensed by the City of Cotati. 7950 Redwood Dr., Suite 8 Cotati, CA 94931 707.795.1600 www.mercymmd.org 21 Congratulations Cotati Accordion Festival 20th Anniversary • Deep Swedish ..................... $60 for 1 Hr • Deep Tissue ......................... $75 for 1 Hr • Sports Massage • Facials • Couples Massage Accordion International Music Society OF SANTA BARBARA Open Daily •Same Day Appointments Major Credit Cards OK (707) 792-0555 • (800) 792-0555 315 E Cotati Ave. Ste. D • Cotati www.santabarbaraaccordions.com 22 Culann's Hounds Name a musical act after one of the great warriors of Irish legend, and you’d better be prepared to crank out some energetic, larger-than-life performances. That’s precisely why Culann’s Hounds has been a favorite on the San Francisco scene for six years—and is now bringing their self-described punk-Irish-hoedown sensibility to a larger audience. The melodies of Steve Gardner (fiddle) and Renee de la Prade (button accordion); harmonies of Mike Kelleher (guitar); and rhythm of Scott Marshall’s bodhran meld with rich vocals that are a staple of the Irish tradition. The Hounds connect with their audience because they are as adept with traditional arrangements as they are with bringing their eclectic artistic backgrounds to an original brand of Irishinspired music. The band boasts an impressive musical pedigree: Gardner played Red Rocks with Grammy winning favorites Blues Traveler; and wows crowds with his work on fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals. Kelleher’s ability to connect with and uplift a crowd with raucous humor and hard driving songs is a key; Marshall’s years drumming for punk band The Nuns gives him the straight ahead power that he harnesses on the bodhrán (and instrument he learned at the beginning of his stint with the Hounds); and de la Prade the Berkley graduate (barely, she says) started her love affair with the Cairdin Irish button box backstage at a Pogues show. Four very different musical paths have converged to create performances rambles.net described as having “the innate strength of Cuchullain.” Considering that Cuchullain fought with the ferocity of a berserker, that’s quite a claim for any band. But when you spend a little time speaking with members of the group, or attend a live show, you see the proof: there’s creative zeal simmering beneath the surface that bursts out when these artists start talking about Irish music. In their early years, Culann’s Hounds opened for musical greats Paddy Keenan, Martin Hayes, Liam Clancy, Lunasa, Tommy Peoples, The Boys of the Lough, Solas, Susan McKeown, Josephine Marsh, Gary Shannon, Andrew McNamara, Tempest and Seven Nations. They made their debut as a headlining act at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in continued on page 24 23 s g n i reet Culann’s hounds continued from page 23 Big Lou! G Thefrom Accordion Princess Walnut Creek in 2000. Recurring gigs for a variety of West Coast events followed soon after. In 2006, Culann’s Hounds debuted their second CD, Year of the Dog, at a March 17 headliner at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The band’s latest is enriched by collaborations with Blues Traveler harmonica virtuoso John Popper; East Clare button accordion master Andrew McNamara; Irish singer Susan McKeown; bassist Ben Bernstein; and Hounds alum Conall O’Raghallaigh, one of the West Coast’s best uilleann pipers. Popper’s collaboration on Year of the Dog, and the musicians’ openness to stretching their genre it represents, speaks to where Culann’s Hounds is likely to find itself next: grounded in the mythic energy and spirit of traditional Irish music, and performing in front of entirely new audiences yearning for something different. ▲ and Dave ... the guy who carries the accordion Check out our website at www.accordionprincess.com Contact her at lou@accordionprincess.com gateway to the Wine country in the redwood empire and only minutes from the pacific Three miles South of Santa rosa It’s Where the Accordion Festival Musicians Stay! Best Western Inn Rohnert Park • Heated pool • Spa • 27” Remote control color TV’s • 5 HBO Channels • In-room movies • In-room hair dryers • ESPN • Continental breakfast • In-room refrigerators (707) 584-7435 • Fax (707) 584-3848 6500 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (Use Rohnert Park Expressway to Redwood Drive) 24 The International House of Accordions The InTernaTIonal house of accordIons celebrates the many American ethnic accordion styles. Big Lou covers French and Polish traditions, with special guests Val Romero handling the Tex-Mex side of the street and Renee De La Prade pumping out the Cajun and Irish tunes. The non-accordion players include David Golia (bass) Gene Reffkin (drums), Annelise Zamula (saxophone), Greg Stephens (trombone) and David Phillips (pedal steel guitar). Read more about them at www.accordionprincess.com ▲ Accordion ApocAlypsE REPAIR SHOP THE SF's Accordion Hub offering: ★ buy, sell, trade ★ repairs & re-builds ★ tuning & accessories ★ lessons & workshops ★ ★ ★ skyler Fell ★ (415) 596-5952 ★ Contact www.accordionapocalypse.com accordionapocalypse@yahoo.com Bringing the accordion to a new generation! 25 The Apple Crate BeSt WISheS to THE CoTATI ACCoRDIon FESTIVAL 2010 ~ Gifts and Collectibles ~ Take a break from the festival to see quality merchandise Happy 20th 20-75 % to both our organizations! OFF Check out our Cotati Accordion Festival Specials! THE SAn FRAnCISCo ACCoRDIon CLuB We meet the third Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m. The Oyster Point Yacht Club in South San Francisco WELCoME ALL! www.sfaccordionclub.com Right Behind the Main Stage 8109 La Plaza — 707-664-1469 Music by Steve & Mike Trucco Visit our Accordions Rock! boothfor CD's T-shirts & Accordions Rock! merchandise. Canzone Vecchie Old Songs of Italy Our Italian Favorites Accordion Duets The Other Side of Music by Steve Trucco Live at Victory Park music by Steve Trucco Through the Years Steve & Mike Duets ns tulatio Congra Cotati to the Festival ion Accord eir 20th t on h Y! ERSAR ANNIV Per form ers at the Cota Accord ion Fe ti stiv the Int’ l. Acco al & rdio Conve ntion in n Las Ve gas (209) 476-1624 call: or write: 4603 Nugget Ave. Stockton, CA 95207 www.accordionsrock.com 26 The Alex Meixner Band alex meixner 2007 Grammy Nominee Alex Meixner’s perforMing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 50 recordings (including a 1994 Grammy award winner), Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences. Meixner’s formative musical studies were on piano and piano accordion, but he quickly branched out on drums, diatonic button accordion, bass and trumpet, which is now his main instrument. This instrumental versatility is combined with a musical background that has included intense studies and performance of jazz, classical, pop, polkas and many ethnic folk music genres with some of the leading artists in the world. His talents in music and comedy were even featured on the Tonight Show on NBC in 2004. Most recently, his “Polka Freak Out” CD with Bubba Hernandez garnered a Grammy nomination in December, 2007. Currently based in Allentown, PA, Alex is performing as a solo artist and with numerous touring ensembles. His solo programs: “Fascinating Rhythms of the World” focus on the fusion of Slavic folk music and Jazz, but also include the inflections of folk, pop and classical styles from Latin America, Africa and © Jeanine Flaton other sections of Europe. This music is the basis for a series of multi-cultural music education seminars and performances which are currently available through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts “Artists in Education” program. Alex also leads or co-leads numerous musical groups including The Alex Meixner Band, Polka Freak Out and Jazz Visions. These groups perform for various public and private functions throughout North America. Whether you are looking for sure fire crowd pleasing family entertainment, something for the senior audience, classy jazz for a reception or a unique party bandAlex Meixner will work tirelessly to provide the perfect mix for your event. When Alex is not performing with all of these groups, he is devoted to bringing music to students through educational clinics, as well as his private teaching. ▲ 27 52( Imported by Crown Imports LLC, Chicago, IL 60603 74174 CRN SPF 9.5 28 The Mad Maggies Hard to describe, easy to love. These SF Bay Area musicians kick up some dust with their own style of rowdy folk fusion as they swerve effortlessly from Celtic rock to ska, from Cajun/Zydeco to klezmer, from polka and swing to the high seas and beyond. All this careening across the musical map began in 2004 when accordionist, Maggie Martin assembled fellow musicians to record a CD of her compositions. They’ve been at it since and this year are celebrating the release of their 4th CD, “Flashbacks - the Mad Maggies play vintage hits”. The Mad Maggies have delighted audiences wherever they play. They’ve garnered radio play around the world, and even caught the ears of director Paul Haggis who used their “Sleepy Maggie” in a TV pilot. They’re happy to be back again at the Cotati Accordion Festival where accordions rule and the crowd knows how to have fun. Accordionist Maggie Martin leads this wild ensemble and is joined by Johny Blood: tuba Billy Bob Shorts: drums Adrian Gormley: alto sax Rhian Robinson: clarinet, whistle Lewis Wallace: bass guitar Gary “GDub” Wium: guitar For booking and more information visit www.themadmaggies.com ▲ DovesAfl ight Releasing White Doves Weddings - Funerals - Special Events (707) 996-5972 Glen Ellen, CA “Our birds fl y home to their lofts after every release." 29 Buy Raffle Tickets! Not only will you have the change to wIN one of our great prizes, including the Flaco Jimenez Corona II, RAFFLE TICKETS you’ll also be added to our mailing list and will receive advance notice of future events and ticket information. (next to CAF souvenier booth) See map on page 2. CongratulationsCotati Cotati Accordion Accordion Festival Congratulations Festivalon on20 20Years! Years! The In Town! Town! TheBest Best Show Show In Meetings open to the Public. Meetings to the Public. We meet everyopen third Monday of the month. We meet every third Monday of Hermann Sons Hall. the month. Hermann Hall. 7:30pm 860 Western Ave. Sons Petaluma. 860(Corner Western Ave. Petaluma. 7:30pm of Western & Webster.) (Corner of Western & Webster.) Tony Mustaro - President Tony Mustaro - President Info: Tony (707) 318-0474 / Kris (707) 795-4860 / John (707) 935-7334. Info: Tony (707) 318-0474 / Kris (707) 795-4860 / John (707) 935-7334. 30 Sourdough Slim Sourdough Slim Last Of The Vaudeville Cowboys ToTAlly reTro. HilAriously enTerTAining. Sourdough Slim is a hoot to say the least. From the moment this accordion squeezin’ Will Rogers swaggers on stage, it’s apparent to everyone that they’re in for a rollicking good time. Ten gallon funny-man Sourdough Slim, transports us to a whimsical world where vaudevillian camp and cowboy lore intermingle to produce grins galore. Slim, aka Rick Crowder, is a well traveled veteran of stages ranging from The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering to The Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music Festival and the Carnegie Hall Folk Festival. His fast-paced stage show combines cowboy singing, award winning yodeling and comedy, accompaniment on accordion, guitar, ukulele and harmonica and a keen knowledge of the traditional Western repertoire. His truly astounding yippie-ti-yi style won him the 2001 Will Rogers Award for Yodeler of the Year. As cowboy Magazine editor Darrell Arnold puts it, “There’s no one else out there like Sourdough Slim. An accordion playing, yodeling, tongue-in-cheek, cowboy-dressed entertainer deluxe. Catchy, uplifting, irresistible, jolly fun.” The Allentown Morning Call proclaims him to be a “One-man Western extravaganza!” The East Bay Express calls him “The most entertaining cowboy singeryodeler-accordionist extant!” And Via Magazine heralds him “Entertainer extraordinaire!” Born in Hollywood, California, Rick Crowder spent much of his childhood on a family cattle ranch in the Sierra foothills. But as he explains, “my true calling as a cowboy was not on the range but rather, on the stage.” A childhood cut-up, he developed his comic character, honed his musical and yodeling skills and garnered the nick name “Slim” while performing in several traveling western bands in the 1970’s and 80’s. Sourdough Slim emerged in 1988 when he came up with the idea to meld his experiences into a solo act based on a comical accordion playing yodeling cowhand. He has never looked back. His seasoned gift for connecting with audiences from the Autry Museum to The Kennedy Center is a true testament to the irrepressible talent and dedication of this unique entertainer. ▲ 31 Motor Dude Zydeco Schedule of Events Saturday, August 21st 9:45-10:15 10:20-10:50 10:55-11:25 11:30-12:00 12:05-12:45 12:50-1:05 1:10-1:55 2:00-2:25 The Golden State Accordion Club Band Due Zighi Baci The Accordion Babes/The Hubbub Club Street Band Rare Cuts with Lemme Adams Gaucho featuring Rob Reich Our doves fly home ... The Great Morgani The Alex Meixner Band Lady of Spain-A-Ring (Audience Participation, see page 49) 2:30-3:10 3:15-4:00 4:05-4:20 4:25-5:05 5:10-5:25 5:30-6:10 6:15-6:35 6:40-7:40 Eddie Monteiro featured by Roland Accordions the legendary Dick Contino The Great Morgani The Creaking Planks Duckmandu Culann’s Hounds JD Limelight Polkacide cajun/Zydeco Dance Party at Friar Tuck’s Pub 8201 Old Redwood Hwy. South of West Sierra Entrance See Map on Page 2. The Creole Belles 1:00-5:00 pm Sunday Mark St. Mary 1:00-5:00 pm Saturday WIN HOHNER AccORDION Flaco Jimenez Corona II Diatonic Button Key Accordion from Hohner Buy Your Raffle tickets for a chance to win Raffle 7:30 pm Sunday need not be present to win See PAGe 2 FoR tICket SALeS LoCAtIoN 32 Schedule of Events Sunday, August 22nd 9:45-10:15 10:20-10:50 10:55-11:30 11:35-12:10 12:15-12:50 12:55-1:10 1:15-1:55 2:00-2:25 The Golden State Accordion Club Band The Truccos The International House of Accordions Sourdough Slim Our doves fly home ... La Familia Peña-Govea The Great Morgani The Mad Maggies Lady of Spain-A-Ring (Audience Participation, see page 49) 2:30-3:10 3:15-4:00 4:05-4:20 4:25-5:15 5:20-5:40 5:45-6:05 6:10-6:30 6:35-7:25 Il Fuoco featuring Steve Albini the legendary Dick Contino The Great Morgani The Alex Meixner Band Shamalamacord Pancakes, Los Texmaniacs Sausage and Eggs at Lion’s Club Facility Tara Linda 7 am to 11 am Flaco Jimenez TakE-OuT TOO! (SEE Pg. 2) Polka Tent with Huge Wooden Dance Floor Polka Dance Party Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band & Friends 1-5 pm Saturday and Sunday Also appearing: 10:00 am to Noon Jim Gilman Zydeco Dance Party with The Wild Catahoulas 5:00-6:30 pm both days - Polka/Zydeco Tent 33 Accordion-O-Rama We carry the new Flaco Jimenez model from Hohner! We INVITE you to visit our SuPERSToRE in South Amboy, New Jersey CALL oR SToP In Soon! (732) 727-7715 www.accordion-o-rama.com bws@monmouth.com Peter DiBono 236 N. Stevens Ave., South Amboy, NJ 08879 Hours: TUES-FRI 10AM to at least 5PM SAT 11AM to at least 3PM or by appointment San Francisco's Premier Accordionist • Hundreds of new & rebuilt accordions all at discount prices • Tremendous selection • Complete In-House Service Department www.peterdibono.com (415) 753-1502 REAL MUSIC IS LIVE ! ! ! Congratulations to the Cotati Accordion Festival providing quality entertainment for the past 20 yEARS! Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Russ Burns, Business Manager 6225 State Farm Drive, Suite 100 Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-585-2487 34 Due Zighi Baci One tenor, one accordionist, hours of memorable music! Specializing in French chanson, Italian and Neapolitan canzone, Two Little Gypsy Kisses works its charm and whisks you away to magical, far away places like the old dance halls of Paris or the music salons of Italy and Old Europe. This duo promises to transport you with their authentic, enchanting renditions of enduring European salon and cafe music dating back to the 1850s through the 1960’s Pop-Italian and Pop-French songs. Whether it’s Verdi, de Curtis, Bixio, Mudogno, Piaf, Brel, Aznavour or Trenet, you will fall in love with these timeless, sentimental, and artful arrangements true to the composers’ intent. Tenor Michael Van Why holds a B.A. in music from SSU where he studied Vocal Performance. He specializes in 20th century French chanson, Italian/Neapolitan canzone and German art song. He is frequently featured in leading musical theater roles in the bay area, but his true love is solo concert work. Michael has most recently been nominated for 2011 Sonoma County Artist Awards for Performing, Music and Literary Arts and is currently working on a recording of the American song book. He is the founder and executive director of Project Applause, a non-profit organization based in Sonoma County that provides vocal opportunities for emerging, classically trained singers to be help them gain experience. www.projectapplause.com Sheri Mignano Crawford, learned to play accordion in “Goosetown” the Italian ghetto in San Jose. She went on to earn various college degrees, teaching humanities at the college level. Upon retirement, she published “Mandolins, Like Salami,” a social history of 20th century Italian American mandolinists, and arranges dance music in the ballo liscio style. Her mandolin ensemble can be heard Saturday mornings at Caffè Trieste, North Beach. Her dance band Zighi Baci has appeared on the Cotati stage in 2005 and 2006. She’s currently at work on a social history of accordionists in the bay area. www.zighibaci.com Due Zighi Baci* is honored to be scheduled on Saturday morning to kick off the 20th anniversary festival in Cotati. We hope you’ll be a part of the fun as well! *Due Zighi Baci, pronounced DEW-a ZIG-gee BOTCH-ee, is Italian dialect and means Two Little Gypsy Kisses. zighi@sonic.net ▲ 35 Shamalamacord Shamalamacord is Mike Penny on tsugaru Shamisen and Aaron Seeman (Duckmandu) on Accordion. They formed an essential element of the acclaimed Gypsy band, “Fishtank Ensemble.” Shamalamacord draws from a wide range of styles, including Balkan Gypsy music, Classical, Klezmer, 1920’s Jazz, traditional and popular Japanese Music, and original compositions. As a duo and as solo players they are each actively engaged in extending the capabilities of their instruments. The Tsugaru shamisen is the most powerful sounding and popular of the three major types of shamisen, the Tsugaru style comes from Northern Japan. It has enjoyed a resurgence among young people in the last twenty years in Japan, and is therefore a tradition very much alive. Mike Penny: Within two years of picking up the instrument, he competed in the annual Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen competition in Northern Japan and received the “nyuusho” or “runner-up” award in his class out of a field of 200, an honor never before bestowed on a non-Japanese player. He also plays in the Tsugaru Shamisen trio, Monsters of Shamisen. Aaron Seeman: Also performs solo as Duckmandu, he holds a B.A. in Piano and a Masters in Composition from UC Santa Cruz. As Duckmandu, he has produced three CDs using accordion and voice to produce renditions of Punk Rock, Mainstream Rock which evoke to an astonishing degree the original music. Also as Duckmandu he recorded a solo CD of more traditional material. ▲ Arizona’s Oldest & Largest Accordion and GuitAr Studios Since 1927 • Lessons • Repairs • Buy • Sell • Trade Ziggie's Music Dionne Hauke, Owner 3309 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85012 www.ziggiesmusic.com 606-266-9622 888-611-1179 © Jeanine Flaton 36 Hubbub Club Street Band An ensemble of 20+ musicians and dancers who make music together in a funky, fun fashion to promote, uplift, and support our local communities. We play a wide range of music, drawing on the traditions of brass bands, street bands, and popular music from around the world. You can see us at a variety of community events, including benefits, concerts, rallies, protests, and gigs at local venues. Our diverse, mixed-level, multi-generational group is committed to a non-hierarchical, democratic process. We believe that music is a powerful tool for social change, and we strive to help heal the earth and her people in all aspects of our work. ▲ ! BRAVO tom torriglia & the hubbub Club Marching Band present... Accordion Babes Beauty Pagent The You’ve seen their pin-up photos, now meet the real women behind the accordions! MC Tom Torriglia and the fabulous Sonoma County movers and shakers, the Hubbub Club Marching Band will present the Accordion Babes in all their smiling, sparkling, kitschy glory. • ING -R A - LADY OF SPAI N-A -R IN •L A in front of the Hexagonal Stage prior to 2:00 pm SPAIN-A-R ING Lady of Spain-a-Ring Y OF AD •L G • LADY O -RIN FS N-A PA AI P IN S G Join us for the World Famous Look for us near the souvenir booth after the show and an Accordion Babe will sign your calendar. Bring your accordion and join us for a rousing rendition of the Lady of Spain 2:00 pm in front of stage 37 DY IN-A-RING • L AD SPA Y OF OF Best wishes for a successful 20th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival from the of Central California Meeting monthly since 1999 Meets on the second Wednesday of each month (except September) at the Escalon Community Center, 1055 Escalon Ave., Escalon, 7 p.m. Accordion enthusiasts and performers welcome. Proudly supporting club members Steve and Mike Trucco – appearing on the festival stage Sunday at 10:20 a.m. Buy Your Raffle tickets for a chance to win this fabulous FLACo JIMeNeZ from hohner. Flaco Jimenez Corona II Diatonic Button Key Accordion from Hohner Thank you again to Hohner U.S.A. and Gilbert Reyes for their generous donation of yet another accordion to the Cotati Accordion Festival. 38 Gold finish with Flaco’s signature Buttons: 31 (3 rows) Notes: 62 diatonic Base buttons: 12 Weight: 4.0 kg $3449.00 value The Great Morgani The Great Morgani THIS IS THE GREAT MORGANI'S ELEVENTH YEAR, OF OUTRAGEOUS PERFORMANCES AT THE COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL. EXPECT FOUR ELABORATE COSTUMES, WITH EQUALLY DESIGNED ACCORDIONS FROM THIS UNUSUAL CHARACTER, DURING THE TWO-DAY EVENT. AS USUAL, hAVe YoUR eYeS oPeN, CAMeRAS ReADY, to tAke SoMe INteReStING PhotoS oF the GReAt oNe. ▲ CHECK ouT HIS AWESoME BooK AT THE SouVEnIR BooTH. IT MAKES A WonDERFuL GIFT, AnD PART oF THE PRoCEEDS oF EACH SALE Go BACK To THE CoTATI ACCoRDIon FESTIVAL. thAnks greAt one. How about our beautiful stage?! All credit goes to Frank Lima, a.k.a. The Great Morgani for his vision and generous contritution of time and energy to make it so special for our 20th Annual Celebration. You're a one-of-a-kind and we love you. Thank You ! from all of us at the CAF 39 We’ve tuned up our website... www.TheCommunityVoice.com r e ov 0 n 0 itors e i vis bsit Jo 6,0 y l e k w e we our to See photos from the Cotati Accordion Festival through the years at www.TheCommunityVoice.com Jazz It Up! At Merrill Gardens, our residents really know how to shake things up. They can enjoy life without worrying about cooking, cleaning, or planning. With Anytime Dining,SM weekly housekeeping and a jam-packed activity program they can unwind and relax. So put a little zest in your step, and call us today for a personal tour! Call Today for a Tour! (707) 585-7878 4855 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928 www.merrillgardens.com at rohnert park A one of a kind retirement community Retirement Living 40 The Wild Catahoulas Zydeco tent 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday The Wild Catahoulas* is the newest Cajun/ Zydeco band in the North Bay, merging the traditional Cajun French two-steps and waltzes from Southwestern Louisiana with the more contemporary Zydeco and New Orleans sounds. In other words, a GREAT dance band. Fiddler Gus Garelick comes to the band with years of Cajun experience from such groups as Queen Ida and the Bon Ton Zydeco Photo by Vikki Blair Band, Al Rapone and Zydeco Express, The Sonoma Swamp Dogs, and The Cajun Coyotes. Joining Gus is accordion maestro Dennis Hadley, formerly with The Cajun Coyotes and currently with The Hot Frittatas, Allegra Broughton and Sam Page, vocals, guitar, and bass, with Solid Air, and drummer Don Connolly, with the Sonoma County Love Choir. The wild Catahoulas will get everyone on the dance floor. When you’re ready to “laissez les bon temps roulez,” this is the band to call! Booking and information; (707) 526-7763 email: fiddler@sonic.net *The official state dog of Louisiana: hard-working and bi-lingual. A survivor. ▲ Alex Musical Instruments, Inc. 165 West 48th Street New York, NY 10036 Tel: 212-819-0070 Fax: 212-827-0908 In memory of Dr. Harry Gay For over 30 years at the same location. We sell, repair, service, tune and custom modify accordions for professionals around the world. 1936-2009 Charter member of the GOOD TIME ACCORDION CLUB e-mail: admin@alexmusical.com www.alexmusical.com 41 The Creole Belles The Creole Belles are stepping out with a long-awaited debut CD on Arhoolie Records. The California based all-women band is well known in the Cajun music scene for bringing the raw, driving authenticity of southwest Louisiana dancehalls to their shows. Produced by the Belles and Greg Landau, who has produced Susana Baca, Pete Seeger and many others, and mastered by two-time Grammy winning engineer John Greenham, the Creole Belles’ self-titled CD was released by Arhoolie on April 1st, 2008. Popular zydeco musician and Louisiana native Andrew Carrière is a regular special guest and contributes Creole French vocals and some powerful accordion to the CD, as exemplified in the medley of tunes learned from his late father, legendary fiddler Bébé Carrière of the renowned Carrière Brothers from Lawtell, Louisiana. Andrew and many people from southwest Louisiana emigrated to California in the last half century and brought their music with them, inspiring a new generation of California musicians like Friar tuck’s Pub 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. SATuRDAY fiddler Delilah Lee Lewis and accordionist Maureen Karpan to travel to Louisiana to learn to play the music. The new CD showcases the dynamic collaboration between Andrew’s soulful Creole roots and the Belles’ heartfelt expression of the music they have embraced over the years. DELILAH LEE LEWIS (FIDDLE) The Creole Belles are distinguished by the high-energy, traditional fiddle style of Delilah, who has been playing Cajun music for the 27 years. MAUREEN KARPAN (ACCORDION) Maureen has been playing Cajun accordion since 1992. For seven years she led the Bay Area Cajun band Frog Legs. She has spent months at a time in Louisiana to play Cajun music, but her main teacher and mentor has been the late great Danny Poullard. KAREN LEIGH (GUITAR) Karen has been playing traditional rhythm guitar since 1974, including times with Dewey Balfa, Canray Fontenot, and continued on next page 42 Mark St. Mary Friar tuck’s Pub 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. SunDAY Mark St. Mary’s Louisiana Blues and Zydeco This is a 5-member band that plays Traditional Louisiana Blues and Zydeco Music and was awarded the “Best Zydeco Band” in 2007 by Bay Area Blues Society. Mark’s been playing his traditional style of Zydeco music since the age of 15 and his music is so infectious that once the band starts to play the crowd does not want him to stop, Yelling “Play One More” over and over. Mark sings in both English & Creole French. We pride ourselves in being able to give the crowd a variety, Zydeco, Blues, R&B and even a lil’ Country. In Northern California I have been dubbed “King of the Delta”. Followers of this music loves the excitement it brings and the joy they get from dancing to it i.e. Waltz, Two-Step, line dance and a down home Flat-Foot Zydeco. We play Festivals, Mardi Gras, WedCreole Belles continued from previous page Danny Poullard at national festivals. JULAY BROOKS (ACOUSTIC BASS) Julay brings a lifetime of musical experience to the Creole Belles. She studied classical piano for 20 years and now teaches 50 students in Piedmont and Oakland. ANDREW CARRIER (VOCALS, TRIANGLE) From Lawtell, Louisiana, accordionist and singer Andrew plays regularly with the Cajun Classics, the All Star Cajun band, and Suzy and Eric dings, Anniversaries, Private Parties, Corporate Events, New Years and/or whatever you like. We will perform whatever the theme. With Mark’s gift of gab he comes prepared to really put on a show, making you not wan’ta sit down. We guarantee to keep you entertained, keeping the skirt-tails floppin’ and the Cowboy boots stompin’. Band members include: Mark St. Mary - Accordion Player/Vocalist; David Rees - Bass/Backup Vocalist; Scott gringo Williams - Lead Guitar; Steve Namle – Drummer; Bobby Benoit’ - Rub Board; Jasper Zumo - Rub Board. LET’S HAVE A PARTY YA’LL!!! ETOI! ETOI!! ▲ Thompson. Andrew has been our “Special Guest” for so many years that our band name could be, “The Creole Belles with special guest Andrew Carrier.” MYRNA COOPER (RUBBOARD) A seasoned bay area musician, Myrna has performed with many of the Bay Area’s finest including LeRoy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners. and many others. And on our first CD: KAREN CELIA HEIL (ACOUSTIC BASS & FIDDLE) Karen Celia, longtime Bay Area music veteran, played acoustic stand up bass with the Belles for many years. ▲ 43 Steve & Mike Trucco This father and son duo from Stockton, CA, in the heart of the Central Valley, has been playing together for over twenty years. Steve Trucco began taking accordion lessons in 1949 at the age of ten. His teacher, John Pisacco, was trained by the Pezzolo brothers of San Francisco and at that time was the finest teacher in the Valley. Mr. Pisacco stressed good timing and an articulate touch on both keyboard and basses. After six years of training and countless hours of practice, with his sister watching and listening closely, Steve began his professional career with a small, four-piece group in the Stockton area. That was 55 years ago. Today, Steve, now 71 years old, still has the same four-piece group and is still available for weddings, parties or wherever they will let him play. Steve’s son Michael, who is 34 years old, has been playing the accordion for over 25 years. Beginning lessons at nine years old, he studied under Pam Turbetti of Stockton, CA. After five years of lessons, Michael began playing profes- sionally with his father’s group and also on his own. Through high school and even college 3000 miles away from home, Michael never had any thoughts of giving up the art. Now married to his wife Lisa, Michael still plays accordion in his Dad’s band, as well as playing bass guitar in a blues and rock band, The Neo Hipsters. Their daughter Chloe, now two years old, has her own toy accordion and has already “performed” on stage with her Dad and her Nonno. In 2006, The Trucco wives, Judy and Lisa, formed “Accordions Rock!!!”, a business selling t-shirts, hats, aprons… anything they could put their logo on. They started a website, accordionsrock. com, and have shipped items to accordion lovers all over the country. Steve and Michael play mostly Italian waltzes and polkas. Their unique style of playing duets has been honed to almost an art form. Even though they are two separate accordionists, when they play together, they seem to meld into a single accordionist. Maybe being father and son has something to do with that. Enjoy! ▲ 44 Gaucho featuring Rob Reich Gaucho began as a gypsy jazz trio in 2002 and we have now happily grown to a sextet. Bringing together the styles of Klezmer, Brazilian Choros, Swing, New Orleans and Roots styles as well as modern day melodies of relevence. The band performs at least 3 times per week in our beloved hometown of San Francisco. Gaucho is an all-star sextet featuring guitarists Dave Rickets and Mike Groh; internationally renowned gypsy jazz bassist, Ari Munkres; accordion virtuoso, Rob Reich; the old-time percussion stylings of Pete Devine, playing drum kit, washboard, jug bass, toy skulls and more; and screaming horns from legendary Tom Waits’ side man, Ralph Carney. Amy Tan, San Francisco resident and author of The Joy Luck Club, said, “There’s a tiny bar in the Mission called Amnesia (853 Valencia Street, +415 970 0012, amnesiathebar.com) which is fantastic, especially on Wednesdays when a band called Gaucho plays gypsy jazz à la Django Reinhardt. Dancers dress in 1930s costumes and do wild dancing. You can watch or get on the floor and look ridiculous. Fortunately, it is dark.” For further information, contact Dave Rickets: dave@gauchogypsyjazz.com ▲ MICHAEL J. ARRALDE ACCORDION CO. Highest-Quality Accordions and Service www.expertaccordionrepair.com 24204 132nd Ave. SE Kent, Washington 98042 (253) 639-7000 45 June 2006 avoid competing with other festivals that were scheduled for the same weekend. When the accordion festival was conceived, the economy was in the doldrums and several school programs, including music and arts, had to be trimmed from school districts’ budgets. Buck-Kauffman was deeply troubled by those developments and began brainstorming for ways to help provide monies to keep music and arts programs alive in the local schools. Finally, he and renowned accordionist Jim Boggio came up with the idea for this particular event. “We thought it would be interesting to have an accordion festival that would bring different types of music together, whether it was jazz, polka, Cajun, gypsy or tango,” Buck-Kauffman said. “We wanted it to be something that would appeal to people of all ages. We knew there were quite a few older people into it and we were a little surprised with how many younger people Clifton Buck-kauffman continued from page 7 what they were charging for their services. The reality was that it was all a non-profit organization to provide something for the local youth groups.” Browne served as co-producer for 14 years with Buck-Kauffman and left the festival the same year. Both had different reasons for leaving but remain proud of their time with the festival. “I moved out of the area and to continue would have been too difficult,” Brown said. “But if I still lived in the area, I’d definitely be involved. I did it for 14 years, so I must have loved it.” Buck-Kauffman began attending the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, which began the day after the accordion festival ended. A couple of years ago the accordion festival moved its schedule up a week to VOLPI'S Restorante & Old world Bar • Homemade Pastas • Veal • Beef • Chicken • Seafood • Daily Specials LunchServed: Wed., Thurs. & Fri. 11:30 to 2:30 DinnerServed: Wed. thru Sunday 5:00 to 9:30 Closed Monday and Tuesday 124 Washington St. (Corner Washington & Keller) DoWntoWn Petaluma ReSeRvATIOnS SuggeSTed 46 Live Accordion Music Friday, Saturday & Sunday See Y the fou after eStiv al! like the accordion as well.” The CAF initially was a free event for the first three years, but in order to produce the types of desired revenue, Buck-Kauffman knew certain changes had to be made. The biggest and most effective change was erecting a fence around La Plaza Park and charging admission. “The festival is a fundraiser, so it was difficult to generate the type of funds we wanted to generate without charging admission,” Buck-Kauffman said. “And we needed it to prevent people from coming in and misbehaving. Since one of our focal points was with beer and wine, it was imperative we had the fence because of insurance issues. Plus, we needed more control over the venue.” The fence around the park has been a bone of contention and an inconvenience for locals because traffic had to be redirected around the park. But time has proved that the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to local youth organizations.” The first year of the festival proved to be successful enough for Buck-Kauffman to continue with it. He knew he had an event that would draw nationally simply by looking at some of the locales of the names on the tickets sold for raffles. “No one was more surprised at the enthusiasm for accordion music than me and the other people producing the event,” BuckKauffman said. “We had a nice turnout the first year, with thousands of people and that was an eye opener. It was also nice to see where we had a lot of people coming from all over the United States.” The first festival featured Anthony Gallarini as the honorary director, Art Van Damme, who recently passed away and Sourdough Slim. “The first year was special, especially having Anthony Gallarini,” Buck-Kauffman continued on page 48 Canadian Geese Flock South to Join Your Celebration Thanks for Inviting Us! Visit Us at Our Booth! TEMPO TREND STUDIOS LTD. Toll Free 888-838-3676 Email: tempo@islandnet.com 410 Burnside Road, East, Victoria, BC V9A 1B1 47 Clifton Buck-kauffman continued from page 47 said. “He was probably in his 90s and he was a living legend. We just lost Art Van Damme, and he was a real close friend of the festival. He was a true gentleman and a world-class performer. Sourdough Slim really didn’t have a lot of accordion music in his act, but it sort of changed his focus a little bit.” A festival of this size could not come together without the contributions of those such as Marian Kelly, Steve Balich, Jim Boggio, Richard Cullinen, Eric Kirchmann, Pat Ryan and Keith Blackstone. “They gave the event the kind of credibility that made it so accordionists wanted to come here and perform,” Buck-Kauffman said. “And the artwork by Pat Ryan means a lot to the performers and has added to the quirkiness and people’s appreciation for the event.” Buck-Kauffman’s initial vision for the accordion festival was where it didn’t matter if one was an accordion virtuoso as long as the performer was entertaining. And he didn’t want it to take on the form of a competition. He also wanted the music to be continuous with minimal breaks between acts. “If this festival was like a competi- tion, it wouldn’t be appealing to anyone but other accordion players,” Buck-Kauffman said. “The multicultural focus of inviting performers from different genres like those who play tangos, polkas, jazz, Cajun and gypsy music have made our event unique. Subsequently other festivals have used our concept and format.” Some of the entertainers that immediately come to Buck-Kauffman’s mind include Dick Contino, Polkacide and Those Darn Accordions. One of the things that made Buck-Kauffman proud of his time running the festival was how those involved rarely had to deal with ego problems from the performers. “Those who performed were appreciative of the opportunity to perform,” Buck-Kauffman said. “There weren’t too many divas. People in the accordion world are level-headed and love performing before larger crowds.” Since his departure, the Cotati Accordion Festival continues to draw sizable crowds, those in attendance continue to have fun, the event continues to create a buzz in the community and the local organizations continue to benefit from what he started. That’s a legacy that would make anyone proud. ▲ original accordion Festival committee: Left to Right. Back Row: Eric Kirchmann, Rebecca Browne, Jim Boggio, Marian Kelly, Linda Rook, Pat Vulgaris, Vivian Weissenburger, Barbara Harris. Front Row: Richard Cullinen, Clifton Buck-Kauffman, Keith Blackstone. Not present: Steve Balich, John Olsson and Sean O'Connell (photographer). 48 Tara Linda Americana ~ Tortilla West “Tara Linda songs are intelli heart rending ~ David N. Pyles, Folk and Acous “Cinematic, Charismatic, "[Tara] Linda seduces like a siren…a challenge and enchant…with playful, t & tarantino-matic” —gilded Billy Stull, Legendary Audio, TX the so you'd swear she's ~ Hector Saldaña, San Antonio Exp the accordion.” These fast selling calendars have become collector’s items nationally New CD- Tortilla Weste and internationally, and feature pictures and has been in the top 20 U.S. Roots music from all the featured Babes. Tara Linda China tofor Roots R forperforms the lastfrom 3 weeks Virginia, from festivals to house concerts. (Now at #12 for week of J She has just finished a tour of China and Mongolia as a guest performer with 2010 Equipped withLosa Texmaniacs. sultry voice, button ac Grammy Winners Whether ukulele, chanteuse TaraTara Linda solo or backed by a full band; Lindaplays orig captivates. For current festivals, she tours spaghetti western and Latin torch. A Ho equipped wiTH A sulTry voice, buTTon Accorwith her skirts Tortilla Western the to “The writes new tangos, waltzes, and boleros, and global bands genres blend them dion, and baritone ukulele, chanteuse Tara Gila Men” or “Big in Texas” featuring standLinda plays original roots rock; blending up bass, guitars, horns, violin, drums/percusTara Linda's performances described asaccordion. "mesmerizing" (Oakland Tribune spaghetti western and Latin torch. Aare Hohnersion, and endorsed artist, she writesand new"sultry" tangos, (The Muse's TaraMuse). Linda lives in Oakland, CA. She early to and her vocals “rich” Influenced by the waltzes, boleros, and skirts global genres performs 2 styles of music: and Latinand American cultures, Tara writes original music grounded in the Texas to blend them into a style uniquely hers. Tortilla Western/Americana Rock, with; Americana, blues, rock, and jazz. 1930’s She~has a world music heritage (Indian Tara Linda's performances are deConjunto/Tex-Mex; and English. scribed as “mesmerizing” (oakland Tribune/ ~ Jazzy blues, Latin torch. san Jose Mercury news) and her vocals “rich” andfeatured “sultry” (Thein Muse's Recently the Muse). San Francisco Bay Area as the face of the new “Acc New CD Influenced by the early torch singers of popularity of the accordion (Oakland Tribune/San Jose Serenade Mercury News/Contra C Tortilla Western American and Latin American cultures, Tara Tara Linda has been a featured artist in the 2009, 2010, soonMusic 2011 Accord has been in the top 20and U.S. Roots writes original music grounded in the Texas Report Charts the last 3 weeks for Roots Calendar/CDseach a wildly successful “fun, girl-powered makeover for the ac traditions she grew up with; Americana, radio airplay. blues, rock,have and jazz. She hascollector’s a world musicitemsRock calendars become nationally and internationally, and fea (Now at #12 for week of July 23, 2010) heritage (Indian) and sings in Spanish and from all the featured Babes. English. discography: Recently featured in the San Francisco Tara performs China to Virginia, from festivals to house concerts Tara Linda: (2010) Tortilla Western Bay Linda Area as the face of the from new “Accordioniserenade Tarawith Luna 2010 & LunaGrammy Nueva (2008) sta”of forChina the rising popularity of theas accortour and Mongolia a guest performer Winners New Moon. dion Mercury solo or(oakland backedTribune/san by a full Jose band; Tara Linda captivates. For current festivals, she Tara Linda (2006) Fool’s Journey news/contra costa Times, Nov 19, 2009), Western bands the “The Gila Men” or “Big in Texas” featuring stand-up bass, gu Polliwog (2001) Musical Score to hamlet’s Tara Linda has been a featured artist in drums/percussion, and accordion. Woman (Theater) the 2009, 2010, and soon 2011 Accordion The Succulents (1999) The Witch, the sailor, Babes Pinup calendar/cds- each a wildly & the enchanted ▲ successful makeover for performs Tara Linda “fun, livesgirl-powered in Oakland, CA. She 2 stylesMonkey of music: ~ Tortilla Western/Americana Rock, 1930’s Conjunto/Tex-Mex; and ~ Jazzy blues, Latin torch. 49 Jim Gilman Jim Gilman was seemingly fated to play the accordion. At the age of seven, a local Chicago accordion school called his parents and offered six weeks of free accordion lessons because they had heard their son “had talent.” After resisting a high-pressure accordion salesman, private lessons were arranged. A move to California during Jim’s high school years seemed to halt his accordion career, but fate stepped in once more. Jim’s father actually saw in the Long Beach paper, “Wanted: Accordion player.” I ask you… how many times have you ever seen that? Jim earned his way through college playing at Knott’s Berry Farm as a street musician. During the summer, it meant playing eight hours a day, five days a week for the princely sum of $1.85 per hour. A college loan bought Jim his first Cordovox and he was on his way. In 1972 he met up with (by chance?) a saxophone player by way of a 3x5 card posted on a bulletin board and they went “on the road” playing at Holiday Inns all over the Midwest. After over 35 years, they’re still together along with a guitarist and a drummer that were added in 1975. Jim’s not a one-man band; he’s a one man orchestra. “It’s truly amazing what electronics, computers and MIDI have done for the accordion. Acoustic purists may turn their noses up at all this stuff but the audiences love it,” says Jim. You can contact Jim at 714-777-6667 or jimgilman@bigfoot.com ▲ Polka Dance Party A huge wooden dance floor is provided for your dancing enjoyment. Featuring ever-popular The Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band � Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 pm near the South entrance on West Sierra. Also appearing: 10:00-Noon Jim Gilman (see above) 50 Dude ZydecoBand The SteveMotor Balich Sr. Polka 20th year at the Festival Steve is one of the originators of the festival who, along with Clifton Buck-Kauffman and our own Jim Boggio, pioneered this event in 1991. Steve was instrumental in helping Clifton book some of the headliners we’ve enjoyed over the years after Jim passed away including artists such as Dick Contino, Chuck Berger, Tony Lovello and resounding hit accordionist, Alex Meixner. Mr. Balich is also one of the founders of the popular “Accordion Club of the Redwoods,” an organization dedicated to giving scholarships to the young accordion stars of tomorrow. The Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band has recorded three hit recordings. If you love Italian music, you’ll love these: “Our Golden Years,” “Steve Balich Sr. Plays All Italian,” and “Steve Balich Sr. Plays All Italian, Vol. II,” with no duplications. ▲ Everything you wanted to know about Steve Balich Sr. but were afraid to ask ... by Dave Williams Steve Balich may be one of the few people in the world who honestly can say his love for playing the accordion dates back to the Herbert Hoover Administration. His passion for the squeezebox took hold in 1929 when he was a 5-year-old child in San Francisco but he didn’t get the opportunity to pursue it until five years later. You see, Balich’s parents believed his love for the accordion would be akin to a boy’s first crush and that his attention would be drawn elsewhere in due time. But when his parents would take him to parties in dance halls, they saw a light in their son that would never go out. “They never had to worry about where I was at a party in the hall because I was always just watching the accordion players,” Balich said. “I wouldn’t leave.” Another temporary setback then was economics. His parents simply didn’t have the money for an accordion. When his parents finally realized it was true love, they relented and promised him an accordion for his 10th birthday. On his anticipated day, however, Balich was discontinued on page 52 51 Steve Balich Sr. continued from page 51 Balich’s current schedule may not be as hectic as in his younger days, as he rarely ventures out of state, but the man definitely stays busy as he had 50 dates scheduled throughout the year and will fit in added events in if possible. As much as playing has meant to Balich, his top priority while raising his family was his furniture store which he ran with his wife of 63 years, Jennie. “I never tried to make playing a bread-and-butter operation. I just love playing,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how tired I am, once I put that accordion on, it’s like somebody gave me a shot of adrenaline.” Steve and Jennie, whose maiden name is Gemegnai, have three children (Steve Jr., John and Jeffrey) and three grandchildren. appointed and again money was the issue. “My father was a longshoreman, and they had a big general strike back in 1934,” Balich said. “He was off work for three or four months. I was sitting out there on the curb and, oh, I was so depressed. That’s when my mother said, ‘I don’t give a damn, we’re getting him an accordion.” A couple days later, Balich and his parents were off to the Wurlitzer Co., where they purchased a white accordion that was almost bigger than the 10-yearold Balich, who has played a Petosa accordion for the last 20 years. A few free lessons were thrown in with the purchase and Balich took it from there. Frank "I never tried to make playing a bread-and-butter operation. I just love playing. Once I put that accordion on, it's like somebody gave me a shot of adrenaline." — Steve Balich Sr. Yankovich (yes, he’s related to Weird Al Yankovich) was one of the marquee names in the accordion music world when Balich was cutting his teeth. “My dad told me that if I played good, I could be like him,” Balich said. The resident of Occidental has done his parents proud, as he’s played with the likes of Dick Contino, Chuck Berger, Tony Lovello and Art Van Damme. Balich has been a mainstay at the Cotati Accordion Festival since its inception in 1991. He also was a fixture at Camp Meeker near Occidental for 22 years, playing from the Fourth of July through Labor Day weekend. Currently, one of his regular venues is Little Switzerland in Sonoma, where he plays once a month during months where there are four Sundays and twice a month in those where there are two Sundays. Steve Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, plays accordion and leads a band of his own. The Polka Dance Party in the polka tent, where he fronts the Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band, remains one of the more popular attractions at the two-day festival. On the whole, Balich has been surprised by the growth and success of the CAF and it is a source of pride for him that he’s been there from the start. “I never thought it would get this big, but it kind of worked its way into what it is,” Balich said. “It gives me a really good feeling because I promote this as much as I can, and I use this in my own field of music. I consider myself one of the busiest little groups up here in the area. I feature us as a versatile group. I do polka and other things. I don’t consider jazz or rock because that’s not my bag.” 52 It took a few years, however, for the Polka Dance Party to find a permanent home at the CAF. In fact, the dance party initially took place at the old Cotati Cabaret, which Balich feels was a bad spot for it because even though it was within walking distance of La Plaza Park, it seemed miles away and set apart from the rest of the activities of the accordion festival. Also, while activities in the park were free to attend, entrance into the dance party was $5. After being placed in subsequent year in various locales such as the bookstore in front of the old Inn of the Beginning or in a tiny lot between the Cotati fire station and the park, the dance party/polka tent with a huge wooden floor finally found its permanent place. “We were in some pretty raunchy spots early on, but we played,” Balich said. “What’s great about the polka tent is that people have a place to go when they want something different than what’s on the main stage. It’s great when you see so many people of all ages dancing and enjoying themselves.” Those who enjoy themselves when Dick Contino, a true legend in the accordion world, appears at the CAF have Balich to thank. One year, after one of the main draws decided not to participate, the festival management needed a big draw. In stepped Balich, an old friend of Contino who also happened to study under the same accordion teacher in San Francisco. Although they lost contact for a few years as Contino began playing huge venues in places such as Las Vegas. “I asked Dick if he’d play and he said he’d love to. Then I asked what he charged, and he said he plays for anything from zero to $10,000,” Balich chuckled. “Thank goodness I wasn’t involved in those types of negotiations. Dick’s one of the best and I knew he’d be a good fit for the accordion festival.” ▲ Pat Ryan Biographical Sketch of the Artist Analog Artist in a Digital Age Pat Ryan was born in New Rochelle, New York in 1941 and raised in Levittown on Long Island, eventually migrating to Los Angeles in 1962, where he attended Art Center School of Design. He worked for various advertising agencies on Sunset Boulevard as a young art director. But when the Vietnam War loomed large, Pat turned on, tuned in, and dropped out. In 1971 he packed up his belongings and young family, soul singer wife Cyretta, their four young children, two cats and a dog, and moved to the small town of Fairfax in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco. He first opened up a tiny studio in the stairwell of Litho-Color Graphics, a printing shop on Bolinas Road in Fairfax. Eventually, he met and befriended many of the local poster and T-shirt artists, and together they rented a building on the corner of 2nd and B Streets in San Rafael. Collectively known as the “Peanut Gallery,” Pat shared the building with the greatest California rock poster artists; Alton Kelley, Stanley ‘Mouse’ Miller, Victor Moscoso, Larry Noggle, Linda Miller, Tim Harris, Enid Hansen, and Dave Sheridan. They mingled, collaborated and got turned on to continued on page 54 53 Pat Ryan continued from page 53 each others’ medium and style. During this time, Pat Ryan painted most of the Concrete Foundation of Fine Art (C.F.F.A.) poster, which can be seen in an historical context in Paul Grushkin’s book, “The Art of Rock.” The Fairfax Years and Artista Gang At C.O.D, Pat Ryan and Dave Sheridan began their several years of close friendship and collaboration. High Times featured a small article on them during this period. “In 1980 Dave Sheridan and I started C.O.D. Grafix in Fairfax,” said Ryan. “This is where we did ARTISTA and California Homegrowers Association. In the meantime, the ARTISTA gang grew and the annual parties became events not to be missed. Sadly, Dave Sheridan died in the early 80’s, a victim of cancer. Pat Ryan carried on in Sheridan’s absence, surrounded by family, friends and a colony of artists and their families that the ARTISTA had evolved into. tacky Productions As his artistic prowess and reputation grew, Pat got into trying his hand at making humorous videos with fellow artists that were hanging around the Fairfax studio. This was the beginning of Tacky Productions. This was in the analog days, with no technology except a hand-held camcorder with no editing capabilities. Pat was also working on long term projects, creating yearly calendars for Prairie Sun Recordings Studio and the art for the annual Cotati Accordion Festival poster, which he still does 20 years later. Pat continued working on this series through the 80’s and 90’s when, in ’92 he found himself drawn to leave Fairfax. The humboldt Years “I left Marin County in 1992. A friend and I used to go to Reggae on the River every year and we’d end up with a whole entourage of people, all from Marin County. Needless to say, being in one of the prime growing areas of the world, Pat spun his talents into creating new, vibrant and hilarious herb labels. He also became the defacto poster artist in residence for Reggae on the River, Sierra Nevada World Music Festivals and the Mateel Community Center’s never ending array of cool world beat and reggae shows. Over the next seven years, Pat did over 50 music posters for the Mateel Community Center, and witnessed some incredible shows. of course Pat designed and drew all 20 Cotati Accordion Festival Posters and numerous Prairie Sun Calendars. This year in honor of the 20th annual CAF, Pat has designed a commemmorative poster. We have signed, numbered prints available for purchase in the souvenir tent next to the main stage. In 1999 Pat and Cyretta moved back to the Bay Area so they could be closer to their 5 grandchildren. They still wanted to be in a “country” environment, so they settled in the Sonoma Valley in the picturesque, woodsy town of Glen Ellen in the wine country. Here Pat worked out of his home producing posters and t-shirts for festivals and concerts and did several jobs for clients like Grateful Dead Merchandising, Phil Lesh & Friends, and the Doobie Brothers. Pat Ryan Now Pat has created well over 100 posters for various musical venues and festivals throughout his career. He has exhibited his poster art at local wineries and galleries and is part of a group of exhibiting artists at T.R.P.S. (The Rock Poster Society) poster shows. In fact, his work can always be seen at the T.R.P.S. Annual Springtime Show at Fort Mason in San Francisco, and in the fall at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Pat now lives in Rohnert Park, in Sonoma County, and is working on another in his series of Indian paintings. He has several patrons who believe in his work, and have helped him with funding over the years to continue his dream. He may be reached at (707) 665-9390. He does have an email address pat@pat-ryan-art.com. He is still an analog artist, but has joined the digital age. If you have questions about upcoming events, conatct Pat for more information. ▲ 54 JD Limelight JD Limelight has been playing his five-row chromatic accordion in and around Sonomastan for about ten years. He is a founding member of local favorites The Lemon Lime Lights and has played in the French gypsy band Dginn. JD is currently playing with brash upstarts Brothers Horse where he’s honing some jazz chops with The Way To Go Joes, marches with the Hub Bub Club and has sat in with many others along the way, including the Trailer Park Rangers, The Jug Dealers, and Mr. December. JD also plays regularly in the Bay Area Burlesque scene at the Hubba Hubba Revues and with the Boiler Bar, and has also learned a thing or two about fixin’ accordions from Kimric Smythe of Smythe Accordions. JD has recently released a solo album, Greetings From Sonomastan, described as eclectic folk, junkyard cabaret, music for monkeys and hobos alike, from Eastbania to Sonomastan. JD Limelight has an eccentric edge mixed with old world charm... ▲ Rare Cuts with Lemme Adams Who is Lemme Adams? Some say he spent many years as a small child nursing in the rugged pouch of an Australian kangaroo. Others believe he has devoted his existence toward teaching ragas and secret paths of enlightenment to dozens of mesmerized gurus in the spicy heat of India. One fan suggests he could possibly be one of our country’s founding fathers. Indeed, he is a mysterious man. Training for several years under the wing of Bart Benico, a Petaluma accordion master, Lemme has bent through time and space in order to reach his own unique sound and universe. Equipped with an Iorio Accorgan, a machine of infinite power and rarity (part accordion, part organ), he spends most of his time conquering the streets, train-stops, and venues of San Francisco on a critical journey: to open the minds of his listeners. On a good day he might return home to his country land of Penngrove, were he enjoys a brief moment of silence before his mission must go on. If you must know one thing about Lemme Adams, it should be that he is here to move you. Being a part of the Cotati Accordion Festival has been a dream of his since his conception, and he even had extra practice time in his mother’s womb. The moment has finally arrived for his first ever appearance alongside his believers and band mates. Keep your ears on and your minds open! ▲ 55 La Familia Peña-Govea Motor Dude Zydeco Bandleader, arranger, trumpeter, accordionist, vocalist, and recording artist Miguel Govea offers the best in Latin music for any event. In the San Francisco Bay area for the last 25 years, he has led and accompanied various musical ensembles, including: Los Compas, La Familia Peña-Govea, Cascada de Flores, Futuro Picante, Los Peludos, Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band, Agustín Lira and Alma. He plays for nightclubs, community events and private parties, dance companies, theater groups, television and radio broadcasts, and film soundtracks, such as: El Rio, S.F. Cigar Bar, S.F. The Ramp, S.F. Pier 23, S.F. Peña Pachamama, S.F. Cotati Accordion Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival National anthem, S.F. Giants game Pac Bell Park Grand Opening San Francisco Ethnic Dance, Festival M.H. DeYoung Museum of Art, S.F. The Palace of Legion Of Honor, S.F. S.F. Mexican Museum’s 30th Anniversary, San Diego’s Adam’s Ave. Roots Festival Ballet Folklorico Ensambles, S.F. KQED Ch. 9 – “Spark” program “Fight in the Fields” documentary soundtrack Hon. Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House of Rep.’s Hon. Judge Carlos Bea, 9th U.S. Circuit Court Hon. Mayor Jerry Brown, Oakland, CA. Los Compas is a band of seasoned pros playing the hardest-hitting salsa in San Francisco. Although many musicians and singers have passed through its ranks, Los Compas is by no means a “pick up” band. Most members have 10-15 years of association with the group. For 5 years, the band’s now legendary run at the waterfront’s Pier 23 made that bar “the place to be” on Friday nights. 56 Whether an intimate 4-piece setting or a nightclub sized 10-piece band, Los Compas consistently functions as a crisp, energetic, tight-knit unit. “One of the hardest working bands on the San Francisco scene, Los Compas is led by Miguel Govea, one time member of the seminal Chicano New Song band, Los Peludos, who has shaped a sound that embraces the diverse musical cultures that make up the Bay Area Latino community. Cumbias, merengue, Tex-Mex, salsa, Latin jazz… “no se rajan” (they do not shrink) from any musical challenge…” (Latin Beat Magazine). At one fateful performance, Miguel met a musician/lawyer named Susan Peña, who played “Jesusita en Chihuahua” on her fiddle and eventually became the mother of his daughters, Rene (age 21) and Cecilia (age 13). 20 years later, the four members of La Familia Peña-Govea are earning reputations as exciting performers of traditional Tex-Mex and Colombian music, garnering acclaim at festivals and events throughout Northern California. Their first c.d. recording, entitled “René at 15,” includes: rancheras, polkas, valses, vallenatos, boleros, and a danzó and “Cohetes.” Rene Peña-Govea Rene misses teaching her button accordion classes at Boaz Accordions in Berkeley (now closed). She is currently accepting students for private lessons and may be contacted at: rene_pg@sbcglobal.net ▲ The Creaking Planks The Creaking Planks are a well-heeled crew of folk music misfits, scouring the wide world of music for songs we can bring close and make our own, regardless of source, genre or era. We haven’t much original material of our own, but the entire set is quite novel, where you may hear hilarious songs by never-heard-of-thems like Bob Uker and Al Mader the Minimalist Jug Band side by side with well-considered selections from the canonical songbooks of, for instance, Britney Spears, the Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails and Sesame Street. We strive to achieve a species of cognitive dissonance through reinterpreting new music in old styles and on old-timey instruments (eg. accordion, ukulele, washtub bass, steel guitar) while peppering the stew with some actual traditional music from the old country to keep you on your toes. Everything new is made old, and everything old is new again. Members (Currently active) Blackbox Squeezebeard (accordion, vocals); Lee Shoal (banjo, ukulele, harmonium, kazoo, bass); Dr. Steelhand (steel slide guitar, ukulele, percussion, legerdemain); Phaulonious J. Knucklebones (improvised percussion, ironing board); Johnny Wyoming (fiddle, banjo, vocals); Cap’n Jack Spareribs (baritone saxophone); Daisy Jones-Locher (santur, vocals, glockenspiel); the Rev. Lucian Rumblebucket (washtub bass, percussion, theremin); Ludwicka lePearl (cello, flute). In January 2005, two members of “The Creaking Planks”, made their first public performance at Raw and Cooked. On this happy occasion they met the accordion player from “That’s My Brain And You’re Killing It!” and knew immediately that they had found what they needed to perform piratical sea shanties. In the following year, the trio performed relentlessly. Today the Creaking Planks strap on forgotten and dismissed instruments of simpler times, preemptively gathering the tunes and jingles of today from the ashbins of tomorrow and re-presenting them in a novel anachronistic setting and style. Drawing on numerous and disparate naive, folk and outsider musical traditions, the common thread running through the performers in this ensemble is that individually, none of them belong in a contemporary musical context – while together, their sum suggests nothing stranger than the iPod of 1906. Keep yr eyes open for more demented nautical circus orchestration from this versatile crew o’ musical miscreants. ▲ 57 ARt VAN DAMMe Art Van Damme died on February 15th 2010. He was 89 years old, and had been ill with pneumonia for several weeks. He had three children and six grandchildren. Although he had retired to Arizona and then to Sacramento California, he continued to perform nearly to the age of 90 Art Van Damme was born on April 9th 1920 in Norway, Michigan, and brought up in Chicago and took up the piano accordion in 1929 at the age of nine, and was classically trained before discovering jazz as a teenager inspired by the recordings of Benny Goodman. In 1941 he joined Ben Bernie’s band as an accordionist, then from 1945 to 1960 he worked for NBC, performing on ‘The Dinah Shore Show’, ‘Tonight’, ‘The Dave Garroway Show’, and other radio and TV shows with Garroway. He recorded 130 episodes of the 15-min- 1920-2010 ute ‘The Art Van Damme Show’ for NBC Radio, and from the 1940s onwards also enjoyed a successful and extended recording career. Art Van Damme, in his prime years, played so many gigs in clubs, hotels and concert stages across the USA and Europe that it is said that he never needed to do any practice. He was constantly in action, developing and honing his skills and repertoire, pioneering the use of the accordion as a jazz lead instrument. So influential was Art’s playing style that he has influenced most of the western world’s jazz accordionists. One musicologist made the following neat comment: “The hippest cat ever to swing an accordion, Art Van Damme dared go where no man had gone before: jazz accordion”. ▲ Long-time Cotati resident and historian LLoYD BeRtoN DRAPeR Died April 1, 2010 after a long illness. He was 84. A prominent resident of Cotati for 60 years, Draper was born in Martinez to Robert Draper and Vera Cartwright Draper, the youngest of their three sons. He attended Alhambra Union High School in Martinez and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps immediately after his graduation in 1946, serving until 1949. He attended photography school in Los Angeles and worked briefly as a commercial photographer. He came to Cotati in 1949 to work for his uncle, Ed Runyon, who owned the town's weekly newspaper. He married Prudence King of Petaluma in 1951 and the couple bought the Weekly Cotatian from Runyon. They worked together as editor and publisher - and everything else - for 15 years. After selling the newspaper, Lloyd worked for a San Francisco printing firm and for Art Point Engraving in Sebastopol. In 1977, he and Prue quit their jobs and volunteered for the Peace Corps, serving in Western Samoa. When the Drapers returned to Cotati in 1979 Lloyd worked for the Sonoma IndexTribune and later for Kauth Bros. in Santa Rosa and Cotati Oaks Hardware. Their Peace Corps adventures gave Lloyd and Prue a taste for travel 1926-2010 and on their way home from Western Samoa they traveled for four months through the South Pacific islands, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia. In the next two decades Lloyd photographed giant lizards in the Galapagos, tigers in India and fished for piranhas in the Amazon. Their most recent adventure was a tent camp for whale watching in Baja, California. Lloyd also enjoyed dancing with the Petaluma Cotillion, and RV travel with the Happy Hookups. He specialized in restoration of historic photos of the Cotati area, and in 2004, co-authored with Prue, a book on the history of Cotati. He and Prue also established the Cotati Historical Society and led in the establishment of the Cotati Museum, which held its grand opening Febuary 28, 2010. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Prue. They were planning to celebrate their 59th anniversary on April 14. He is also survived by his son, Robert Draper of Jenner; his daughter, Robin Draper of Cotati; and his granddaughter, Erin Roman of Santa Rosa. He was preceded in death by his son, Jay Draper, and his brothers, Robert and Ellwood Draper. ▲ 58 + % (0 )+ " ' - " ' • " ' ( + ) ( + - • + % (0 )+ " ' - " ' + % (0 )+ " ' - " ' Barlow Printing, • " ' Inc. ( + ) ( + - • • " ' ( + ) ( + - • 481 Aaron Street Cotati, CA 94931 Pat Ryan's 20th Barlow Printing, Inc. Contacts Anniversary Barlow Printing, Inc. Commemorative 481 Barlow Aaron Street Pat Posters are available 481 Aaron Street Cotati, CA 94931 for purchase. Ken Reed Purchase your Cotati, CA 94931 Contacts limited, signed copy Phone 707-664-9773 at the souvenir Pat Barlow Contacts booth before Fax 707-664-9866 they're all gone. Ken Reed Pat Barlow pat@barlowprinting.com Phone 707-664-9773 Ken Reed Established in 1961. Complete in-house facilities from elec elecken@barlowprinting.com Fax 707-664-9866 tronic prepress to bindery. We have sheetfed, open web and Phone 707-664-9773 pat@barlowprinting.com UV web presses. Publications, directories, catalogs, manuals, Fax 707-664-9866 Printing – Publications/Catalogs/Directories/Manuals ken@barlowprinting.com coupons, newsletters, posters and brochures are our specialty. pat@barlowprinting.com Established in 1961. Complete in-house facilities from electronic ken@barlowprinting.com Printing – Publications/Catalogs/Directories/Manuals prepress to bindery. Sheetfed, open web and heatset web. PubEstablisheddirectories, in 1961. Complete in-house facilities from electronic lications, catalogs, manuals, coupons, newsletters, prepress to bindery. Sheetfed, open web and heatset web. PubPrinting – Publications/Catalogs/Directories/Manuals posters and brochures are our specialty. 59 lications, directories, catalogs, manuals, coupons, newsletters, Established in 1961. Complete in-house facilities from electronic Flaco Jimenez continued from page 9 He conceived the idea of amending the traditional Tex-Mex and Tejano style music by adding the saxophone to the Rock and Roll guitar with a country flair. He has been requested by the talents of the most famous such as the likes of Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, Los Lobos, The Mavericks, John Hiatt, Bryan Ferry, The Clash, Stephen Hill and the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, The Chieftains, Jimmy Sturr. Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Ray Benson, Asleep at The Wheel, Alan Jackson, Abrahim Ferrer (Buena Vista Social Club), the famous Celso Piña, Rowwen Heze from Europe, & Jaguares from Mexico. Flaco is described by People Magazine as “a heavy weight in Texas Chicano (or Tejano) music.” He won his first Grammy Award in 1986 for the re-make of his father’s song, “Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio”. He then teamed up with his buddies Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm and with Augie Meyers to form the Tex-Mex super group The texas tornadoes, thereby winning another Grammy award for their debut release in 1990. In 1996, he won yet another Grammy award for the “Best MexicanAmerican Performance”, for his Artists Records solo performance entitled Flaco Jimenez. In 1999, Flaco added two more Grammys to his collection. One came out of the category of “Best Tejano Performance” for his solo release, Said and Done. The second Grammy Award in 1999 came from the “Best Mexican-American Performance” category in which he re-teamed with Freddy Fender for the recording of the group and album, Los Super Seven (RCA). The Mexican-American all-star band also includes David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Joe Ely, Freddy Fender, Rick Treviño and Ruben Ramos. Flaco simply describes the experience of performing with this group as a “family reunion”. The five-time Grammy Award winner’s career spans over four decades, and his famous accordion is featured in more than 100 albums. Most recently, Flaco was presented a Double Platinum Album Award by Virgin Records for his participation on the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge album which sold in excess of two million copies, just like the ever famous Streets of Bakersfield with his good friends, Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam, also receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard Latin Magazine. ▲ 60 Thank You! T to our volunteers, musicians, advertisers, vendors and especially to you our audience! hese final two pages of the program these valuable programs, that the Cotati are devoted to thanking all those Accordion Festival has supported over the who make the annual producyears, would be detrimental to the education of our internationally-known festival tion of future generations. possible. However, the largest thank you To date the festival has donated over goes to you, our patrons, celebrating the $300,000 to local youth programs. We accordion in all its imaginative uses, and plan to go into the future providing a directly financially aiding, through your stage on which our great accordion playticket purchases, the local youth groups ers may perform, inserting that eternal joy that are so vital to our community. of music into our lives for another weekThe Cotati Accordion Festival is a end, and to do all that we can to provide nonprofit organization that started out as for our youth in the years to come. both a way to bring local attention to the These sponsors contributed their value of the music of the accordion and to time, merchandise and services to the support the performing-arts programs in Cotati Accordion Festival, and we are our local schools. These organizations were greatly appreciative of all of them. able to purchase band instruments and continue programs which were cut due to If you or your organization would like lack of state funding. Unfortunately, we to become involved and would like are going through a time of cutbacks again information on sponsorship, please call in city and county services. the CAF at 707-664-0444. The Cotati Accordion Festival plans to continue doing its part by donating all We’d love to help you help us. ▲ its proceeds to the local youth groups we support. We believe that to discontine Volker Financial & Thank You! continued on next page Insurance Services Northbay Times 61 Many THANK YOU! We couldn’t do itThanSks! without these generous contributions of time, talent, merchandise and support. Board members Scott Goree Linda Conner Andrea Rock Richard Cullinen Girard Guidice contributors Ray Volker of Volker Financial Gilbert Reyes & Hohner Accordion Mackenzie Vineyards Heck Estate Wines Trinchero Family Winery Epic Wines Ca’ Momi wines Halby Wines Monterey Bay Wine Co. E & J Gallo Dry Creek Vineyards Rodney Strong Vineyards Ravenswood Murphy Goode Winery Classic Wines Regency Wine Group. Cotati City Council and City Staff Alan Schumann Jerry Weiss Joel Isquith Richard Cullinen Clifton Buck-Kaufmann Rebecca Browne Eric Kirchmann Carol Enneking Paul and Jen Warner Ruth Edwards Frank Hayhurst and Zone Music Blair Hardman Stuart Buck Lawrence and Paula Re C.R.P.U.S.D & Dr. Barbara Vrankovich Ken Spencer Wilton & Donna Herz Rick Goodman Tom of KG Technologies Jim Wilder Jeanine Flaton Cambell Family KRSH Froggy KSRO KXTS KRCB KZST KBBF KPFA Richard Williams and Oliver’s Market Wine & Spirits Department Skyler Fell Dave Williams Yonny Saunders Leslie & Bob Hall Jeannette Douglass Pat Ryan Kelly Smith Dr. Ken Shaw, DDS Ursula Kros Many Thanks Special Thanks Mike Workentin Ronnie Martin Keith Blackstone Ron Lindenbusch Jim Jacobs Tony Magee Shelly, Renee, and Rachel Goree Steve & Jennie Balich Appreciated Buck O'Hare Amber Lee Baker Maggie Martin 62 Renee de la Prada Jim O’Grady Carl Schollmann Jim Barrett Louise Petersen of The Apple Crate Marian Kelley Dos Amigos The Pulley Family Ben Perry Tim Sewell WSCUHSD Rancho Bodega Fire District North Bay Corporation The Independent Journal The Press Democrat La Voz The Bohemian Northbay Times The Community Voice Mooka Renick Jessica Levy-Goebel Marjorie Konrad Shelly of Pro Team Events Barlow Printing Amy Contardi Gus Garelick of KRCB Julie Caine & KALW organizations Supporting the Festival Cotati City Council Education Foundation of Cotati/Rohnert Park Cotati/Rohnert Park Nursery Co-op Thomas Page Elementary School Boy Scout Troop #4 Penngrove Elementary School PTA The Children’s Museum And anyone we failed to mention THANK YOU ! 63
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