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| Oleg
Sharov (Russia) |
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Oleg
Sharov was born in 1946 in St.Petersburg-Russia and is a product of
the wide range of musical facilities offered by the former Soviet
State system. After preparatory schooling, he attended, at the age
of eight, one of the Children's Music Schools in St. Petersburg, of
which there are no less than fifty in this great musically famous
city. His chosen instrument was the accordion.
After 'Middle Level' studies, he secured one of only 20 places available
that year, at the world famous St. Petersburg "Rimsky Korsakov"
Conservatory of Music. He then completed five years of study, and
was invited to join one of the privileged classes called 'Asperantura',
which led to his appointment as a tutor at the Conservatory. He is
now Senior Professor of Music and Head of the Accordion Department
at this famous Conservatory of Music.
Oleg Sharov has toured extensively in the USSR, Finland and Eastern
Europe. It was not until Peristroika, that he was able to tour in
the West and Scandinavia (1987) and the USA (1990).
In recent years, Oleg Sharov has given premieres of about twenty original
works for free bass accordion of Russian and European composers. One
of these was the premiere performance in the UK (1996) of 'Concerto
for Accordion and Orchestra' composed by Ivor Hodgson, with the Manchester
Camarata Symphony Orchestra.
Oleg Sharov has continued to enhance his international reputation
by touring Japan, France, Chine, Spain, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Portugal,
Denmark, Switzeland, Narway, Yugoslavia, Belgium and Poland in recent
years. In addition, he has given Master Classes at the Royal Academies
of Music in London, Copenhagen and Antwerp. Also he has been invited
to International Accordion Seminars in Barcelona, Tokyo as well as
in Finland, Norway, China and Poland.
Oleg
Sharov has be asked to adjudicate at Competitions such as the Coupe
Mondiale, CMA Trofeo Mondiale and USA Grand Prix a number of times.
He also continues to organise two International Accordion Festivals
each year in St. Petersburg.
Oleg Sharove has transcribed several classical pieces for the free
bass accordion including "The Blue Danube" (Johann Strauss),
Hungarian Rhapsody Nos 2 &14 (F. Liszt), Gothic Suite (L. Boelman)
and several Russian melodies which have been published in Germany.
His concert repertoire includes music from Baroque to Avantgarde.
( Vivaldi, J.S.Bach, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Repnikov,
Banchikov, Olczak and others). He is regarded by his peers as one
of the foremost accomplished 'free bass' accordionists in the world
today. In 1985 he was awarded the title of "Honour Artist of
the Russian Republic".
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| Brian
Laurie Accordion Showband (Scotland) |
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The
Brian Laurie Accordion Showband from Paisley, Scotland
is formed from three different
leveled orchestras, each conducted by Brian Laurie. The composite
Accordion Showband has a very high level of playing, with each of
the single orchestras having achieved first place at the UK Accordion
Championships.
The showband has traveled the world, playing in the USA, Canada and
most recently Germany. The band appearance at the ATG Festival this
year will marks its second USA tour, and plans have already been made
for a concert tour in Germany in 2012. |
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| Sergio
Scappini (Italy) |
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Italian
accordion artist Sergio Scappini is an internationally
renowned accordion artist, composer and educator. Currently teaching
at the "Giuseppe Verdi" music academy in Milan, Sergio has
competed in several national and international competitions, and has
performed with several prestigious orchestras including the Teatro
alla Scala Orchestra and the Swiss Chamber Orchestra.
Sergio is responsible for countless world creations of accordion solo
music and accordion concertos by R. Grisoni, L. Francesconi, M. Panni,
and M. Moretti. He has also recorded for radio and television in Italy,
Switzerland and Portugal. |
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| Danilo
Di Paolonicola (Italy) |
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Seven-time
Diatonic Accordion Champion Danilo DI Paolonicola. Danilo
began learning the diatonic accordion at the age of six and immediately
distinguished himself as a precocious talent, going on to win an incredible
seven "World Champion" titles on the Diatonic Accordion,
as well as numerous national and international competitions.
Among
the many competitions won, Danilo in 2007 with his group "Ethnic
Project" won the competition for world's most important jazz
accordion "Premio Città DI Castelfidardo" and again
in the same year with his band, also won the "Premio Stefano
Bizzarri" where he had the honor to open the gala concert of
Richard Galliano.
Danilo
studied
jazz and accordion Varietè with Renzo Ruggieri, where he attended
advanced courses at the Berklee Shcool in Perugia (Umbria Jazz). He
has given concerts in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Croatia,
Holland, Hungary, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA. |
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| Chris
Gorton (USA) |
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2010
Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival winner, was Christopher Gorton
of Providence, Rhode Island. An accordionist 19 years old,
Gorton started competing at the age of 7 and has participated in many
competitions, including the CIA Coupe Mondiale Festival in 2003, and
has won the US Accordion Championship in Classic Music in 2002 and
2003.
Christopher competed in the International V-Accordion Festival in
Rome, Italy representing the USA. |
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| Alex
and Peter Chudolij (USA) |
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Founder
and President of Music Magic and Accordions USA, Alex Chudolij,
started his musical career on October 8, 1964 at the age of 6. For
the next 10 years he studied the piano accordion as a student of well
known professor, teacher and performer Tulio Gasperini in Pawtucket,
Rhode Island.
During the latter part of his formal training Alex earned numerous
awards in solo, band and ensemble categories at Rhode Island state
competitions as well as national American Accordionists Association
championships held in Pittsburgh, PA, Washington, DC and Springfield,
MA. As
a teenager Alex was already making numerous concert and festival appearances,
pleasing the crowds with classic showpieces and his own concert arrangements.
In
1991, Alex recorded a unique one man band instrumental album, "Electric
Kozak" which was recorded using a midi accordion. This recording
made its debut at the Garden State Arts Center, where it sold over
200 copies in its first day of sales. For the next four years Alex's
Electric Kozak Band had been providing entertainment for crowds of
all sizes and for all occasions, including a gala reception for then
Olympic gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Victor Petrenko. Alex's wife,
Lillianna, performed as the band’s lead singer until 1996, when
Alex retired from regular band engagements and subsequently founded
one of North America’s first and largest Internet based accordion
dealerships – Music Magic USA.
For his performances in Orlando at the ATG Festival, Alex will be
joined by his son Peter Chudolij. |
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| Alex
Meixner |
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2007
Grammy nominee Alex Meixner began his 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, 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, his college major. 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 Palm City, FL, 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 other sections of Europe. This music
is the basis for a series of multicultural music education seminars
and performances which are currently available through the Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts “Artists in Education” program. |
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| Steve
Albini |
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Accordion player extraordinaire Steve Albini of Roland
USA, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. 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. Steve’s live
performances span Italian, world, jazz and Latin American genres.
As a studio musician, he is often called upon by artists, composers,
and producers to add his touch to their projects. Steve also has a
background in retail music sales.
Steve
resides in Northern California with his family. Steve joined Roland
Corporation US in June 2001 as a V-Accordion® Product Specialist
and Sales Consultant. |
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| Bruce
Gassman |
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Bruce
Gassman "The KING of Rock 'n Roll Accordion" began
the accordion at age 9, studying with Jim Greer at the Tommy Tucker
Studios. One year later he and his father took the Silver Streak Train
to Miami and Bruce entertained the travelers in the “club”
car going to Florida and coming home. While in Miami, Bruce performed
twice at the Casablanca Hotel. At age 11 he gave his first Senior
Recital at Normandy Hall and at age 12, now studying with Alfred Manfredi,
he was the guest soloist with a Symphony Orchestra’s performance
at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ.
Bruce
played with the Asbury Park Boys Club Orchestra and then auditioned
for and won the National Boy's Club of America Music Scholarship Award
and for the next four years he studied with famed accordionist, Joseph
Biviano of New York City.
After
performing extensively with various groups for almost 20 years, in
1992 he stopped playing to focus on family and his real estate career.
However, after a 15 year sabbatical, Bruce knew it was time to "get
back in the game", so in 2007 he attended an AAA meeting in Hazlet,
NJ. In attendance were Carmen Carozza, Mary Tokarski and Dr. Carmelo
Pino, who was also a member of the Biviano Orchestra in the early
60’s, the same time as Bruce. That meeting turned out to be the
new beginning.
Later
that year Bruce joined the Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Daniel
Desiderio and in 2008 became the first accordionist ever to perform
with Holiday Express, a group of 80 professional musicians and 600
volunteers who, from Thanksgiving till Christmas, bring the gift of
human kindness to those less fortunate. In 2009, Holiday Express performed
more than 50 shows at Developmental Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals
and Children’s Special Schools. Bruce had the pleasure of playing
at 25 of them. Today Bruce enjoys performing at festivals across the
nation, and has recently released a popular CD recording. |
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| Gordon
Kohl |
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Gordon
Kohl began the accordion at the age of seven. As a teenager,
he was already teaching, and by age 20 he had established his own
accordion, piano and organ school. Meantime, he was earning a degree
in marine biology.
Gordon's
playing credentials would fill an entire page. He has made TV commercials,
video tracks for projects such as the AIDS Foundation and radio and
TV shows, including work with Shirley Jones, Andy Griffith, and the
KPBS Radio Ethnic Hour. He has appeared in Las Vegas, at the Hotel
del Coronado in San Diego, California, with Myron Floren, and at Jack
Murphy Stadium in San Diego for a July Fourth baseball game. He plays
every weekend around San Diego and at Oktoberfests in the mountains.
He has developed a special expertise on the digital accordion, and
he conducts acoustic and electronic workshops.
But
what Gordon really enjoys is teaching. The contact with his students
helps him stay in tune with changing trends in music education. Folks
relatively new to the accordion these days, he says, want to study
a variety of musical styles.
Gordon
states, "Teaching requires the teacher to learn along with the
students, exploring ideas of what the accordion left hand con do to
add harmony and rhythm to today's musical dance styles such as Salsa,
Java, Latin Tango and Beguine. These same students want to learn Zydeco,
Klezmer, Tex Mex, Cajun and Musette, challenging both them and the
teacher."
Gordon
has available quite a variety of original accordion publications.
Several books of music written by Gordon and cassettes of his music
reflect quite well this fellow's diverse interests. Gordon also has
available learning tapes and teaching materials, some of which he
uses in workshops.
Gordon's
a competent, skilled, dedicated "multicultural" accordionist.
The ever-changing accordion community needs more like him! |
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| Jeff
Lisenby Trio |
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JEFF
LISENBY, jazz accordionist extraordinaire. Think “accordion”
and “jazz” don’t belong in the same sentence? Just
wait, it gets better.
Lisenby,
who holds a master’s degree from The Conservatory of Music of
the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is no stranger to musical
oxymorons. His experience runs the gamut of styles.
He
has twice been the national accordion champion and a bronze medalist
in the Coupe Mondiale international classical accordion competitions.
That may not sound like a big deal to us in the U.S., but in Europe,
Russia, Scandinavia, China, and New Zealand, where the accordion is
as common as the guitar, it’s huge. But classical music wasn’t
the only style he practiced.
“When
I was a kid,” Lisenby said, “my goal was to win the world
accordion championship, which was for ‘serious’ music. So
I was practicing 7-8 hours a day when I was a teenager. I would get
tired of practicing the ‘heavy’ music, and then I would
start playing pop or jazz standard tunes and improvising on them.
It was a good musical mix for me.”
Lisenby
used his genius on the accordion and keyboards to carve a niche market
for himself, and gained performances with the Nashville, Kansas City,
and Los Angeles Symphonies, the Palm Beach Pops Orchestra, and a gig
accompanying Luciano Pavarotti during part of his U.S. tour.
Certainly
not limited to classical music, Lisenby toured extensively with the
Mills Brothers, Boots Randolph, and Brenda Lee, and has accompanied
Lee Greenwood, Donna Summer, Tricia Yearwood, Three-Dog Night, the
Coasters, David Cassidy, Marty Stuart, Jo Dee Messina, Pam Tillis,
Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark, and Dolly Parton, to name a few.
Most
recently, Lisenby was honored to be the music director on Broadway
for RING OF FIRE: The Music of Johnny Cash, for which he pulled from
his extensive experience backing country artists in Nashville.
Lisenby
is also one of the first-call accordionists for recording sessions
in Nashville. Projects he has worked on include the Grammy-winning
album: “Songs from the Neighborhood; the Music of Mister Rogers”,
and jingles for Budweiser and Sutherland’s Lumber (which he also
wrote and produced).
When
he’s not on the road performing around the country, Lisenby teaches
for Belmont University’s School of Music and is active in the
Nashville recording scene.
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