Contributed by Uli Ebner

The Schlüchttal-Akkordeon Orchestra will celebrate their 30th birthday with a different style of concert on December 12th and 13th. They have designed the stage to look like a large television so the audience will feel like they are sitting at home while they eat popcorn. The orchestra plans to perform music to accompany videos filmed especially for the concert.

The compere for the evening will announce various events that have taken place over the history of the orchestra. Lots of fun and enjoyable music is planned.

The event was so successful they have decided to incorporate the singers with their performances more frequently.

To add to the debate, some players of the button box claimed the SQA was right. Fergie McDonald, founder member of the Button Box for Scotland group, said "The exam board is 100 per cent within its rights. The proper place for the piano accordion is at the bottom of the Minches!"

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

French accordionist Jean-Louis Noton found a little time to relax after his successful USA tour with tour organiser and concert partner Peter Soave, a bottle of Chateau Battaillet 1964 and a cigar Montecristo Nr. 1. Noton performed concerts in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio with other artists including Mady Dessimoulie, Guillaume Hodeau and Julien Labro. Noton also held masterclasses in Detroit.

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

On December 12th accordionist Pauline Oliveros will present a Deep Listening workshop at The Music Ensemble Room, Mills College, Oakland. Deep Listening is a practice created by Pauline to enhance creative work which is practiced and discussed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia, and Europe where Pauline has taught and travelled extensively.

The workshop will include relaxation and breathing exercises, listening and guided meditations, a Sonic Meditation or Deep Listening Piece, feedback, and processing.

Pauline's work is well known through performances, broadcasts, personal appearances, recordings, and scholarly writings. Pauline has created a unique style of accordion playing using just intonation and extended techniques. She is a graduate of San Francisco State College and holds an honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Maryland.

For further information phone: + 1 510 222 8442

JJ Caillier & the Zydeco Knockouts have recently released their latest CD "On The Way To The Top" which includes zydeco tracks. Accordionist JJ Caillier has been following in the footsteps of his late father J.J. Caillier Snr who produced early releases of Boo Zoo Chavis, and the Grammy Award winning album "Country Boy" by Clifton Chenier. The Knockouts latest CD includes "Squeeze It", "Take Your Shoes Off" and "She's Trouble".

For further information email: zevents@yahoo.com

Contributed by Li Cong

On November 21st the Shanghai Accordion Association organised a concert of examination test music at the Shanghai Cinema. This was held especially for students entering accordion examinations. This year the association received nearly 3,000 examination entries and over 600 students attended the concert.

Performers included Mao Rui Yin, Hu Yun Yun, Wang Cong Yu, Fang Ling and Wu Yu. Exam level requirements were discussed and Jiang Gui He and Li Cong gave a lesson demonstration.

Contributed by Tatiana Lanchtchikova

On November 19th the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble performed for the "Beaujolais" wine celebration at the popular French restaurant "Le Bistro Francais", St. Petersburg. To open the celebrations accordionists Vladimir Ushakov and Sergei Likhachjev played solos and duets. Following this, the St. Petersburg Musette Ensemble performed to an enthusiastic audience, who sang and danced. Their 2½ hour program included French tunes such as "A Paris", "Pigalle", "Retour de Hirondelles", Sous Le Ciel de Paris" and "Boulevards of Paris" as well as some jazz compositions including "All the Things You Are" and "Desafinado".

They have been invited to play at the restaurant again in January 1999.

Contributed by Toru Katou

The accordion and concertina have been seen on Japanese television advertisements recently. Popular accordionist Coba (Yasuhiro Kobayashi) has been playing on the advertisement for Nomura Asset Management Toushin Plaza.

Another advertisement for "Kinu-Neri" (Silk Touch well whipped chocolate) features a large pink concertina played by an actress who stands in the sky singing "nette, nette, nette, nette" (whip up). The movement of the instrument bellows symbolises the whipping.

In a NHK TV drama "Yanchakure", actor Akira Enomoto plays the concertina. Akira had lessons from Fumio Yoshida who plays melodeons and concertinas in Japan.

Contributed by Danielle Pauly

Mr Jean-Pierre Crosio, director of Fratelli Crosio accordion makers passed away recently after a long illness. He was buried on November 27th at Joinville le Pont, a small town in the vicinity of Paris.

The Business Wire (USA) recently included an article on accordionist Buckwheat Zydeco's upcoming album "Trouble", which is due for release in January 1999. Album track "Hard Chargin' " is featured three times in Adam Sandler's new movie, "The Waterboy," and is included on the Hollywood Records' soundtrack album.

Early reviews have been positive with comments such as "a burst of (Creole) mayhem, a roiling gumbo of zydeco, funk, R&B, blues and rip-roaring rollick and roll."

Buckwheat Zydeco will commence a 20th Anniversary Tour in January 1999 following the release of "Trouble".

Contributed by Toru Katou

On December 6th a traditional Irish concert will be held at the "Osakashi Chuo Kokaido" (Osaka Central Public Center Hall). Accordionist Ohgaki Yoshio will perform with his band "Sainak". Accordionists from the Osaka Shin'on Accordion Society will also perform at this free concert.

For further information phone: + 81 6-231-0631

For further information phone: + 1 310-639-2193

Accordionist Graham Geddes and his Scottish dance band performed two concerts at the British Embassy in Bangkok recently. Their first performance was from midnight to 6am at the Bangkok St Andrews Ball in the Shangri La Hotel for 640 people. The group enjoyed performing dance music and popular reels.

Following this the band played a concert which featured tunes like "Leaving Lerwick Harbour" and then the "Scots Guards" marched and played along with the band to various well known Scots tunes.

Graham is currently working on a new CD of popular Scottish dance music.

Their Publicity officer Betty Nixon said "We wanted to support both a national and local charity and were informed of an appeal to raise money for a hydrotherapy pool for people with disabilities who use Kidsgrove Day Service."

Contributed by Shiela Haigh

The Pakuranga Accordionaires held their 25th Anniversary Reunion on November 22nd in Auckland. Past members from Australia and all over New Zealand arrived for the celebrations with three original members still playing with the orchestra today. Over 150 people enjoyed an evening of accordion solos, duets and a performance by the current orchestra.

http://www.strasser-harmonikas.com Austrian manufacturer of top quality diatonic accordions.

http://www.accordions.com/maestro An award winning accordion duo from Russia.