January 2012 Vol. XVI No. VII

Presents the Musette Gazette www.azaccordionclub.com

BREAKING NEWS : Previously scheduled Frank Marocco is recovering from a health issue. Appearing for Marocco is

STAS VENGLEVSKI and MISHA LITVIN ON February 20th 2012 at the Arizona Accordion Club Meeting. They will be joined by other members of the Frank Marocco Accordion Event orchestra.

STAS VENGLEVSKI. His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan com- petition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the . Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer and a Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. ( continued on page 10 -> )

On March 19, we welcome SYLVIA JORGENSEN AND HER BAND

Sylvia Jorgensen leads one of the most popular dance bands for winter visitors to Arizona. So come ready to dance. In 1983, Sylvia organized a Scandinavian-American dance band and called it "Sylvia and Fjordsong." A repertoire of polka and country mu- sic was added in 1986, with the addition of Carl Nyberg to the band. In 1992 and 1994, they played in Upsalla and Stockholm, Sweden, and Parunka, and Vasa, Finland. They have traveled to entertain at numerous Scandinavian and polka festivals in the United States and Canada. Sylvia also enjoys writing and arranging music.

Sylvia's first love is playing the accordion, following the footsteps of her father. She also plays , guitar, recorder, and violin and likes to sing. She sang in the Pacific Lutheran University's Choir of the West and in other church choirs. She also directed Elementary School choirs, grades 5-6 grade and wrote and directed the all-district Bi-Centennial Program in 1976. She began a youth choir, the Pilgrim Singers, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Puyallup. Sylvia enjoys many styles of music but Scandinavian songs are her specialty.

Sylvia and her husband, Don Jorgensen, live in Puyallup, Washington seven months of the year and the remainder of the year in Mesa, Arizona. Don is an avid golfer and superb dancer. They met at a polka dance and were married in 1994. Page 2 The Arizona Accordion Club

MENU for February 20th, 2012 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable and roll. or those who choose to fast Anne Z is making: Roast veggies with olive oil and serve them over rice. Along with peanut butter filled celery so there's protein!

JANUARY 16TH Meeting - THE SQUEEZEBOX BAND with MOLLIE BUSTA and TED LANGE by Raye Donatella

Happy New Year! I hope you have a year of good health and lots of love! Speaking of love, one of our special members, Phyllis Benguhe, made it back to our meeting this month! Phyllis suffered a severe stroke some time ago and is finally recovering enough to attend the meetings once more. Now, here is where the love comes in - she needs a ride to and from the meeting sometimes - her son will bring her when his schedule allows it, but if he can't bring her, she needs some love from someone to help her out. Those of us who have to be there early to set up the room and take care of the door would not be able to do it as the time for her to sit there would be much too long. She lives fairly close to the church, so if this is a possibility for your help, please give her a call at 602-330-3460. All of us would be grateful!

Now for the pre-meeting music by Jay Stevens played and sang a huge variety of tunes to get the evening started - beginning with ―Jambalaya‖ and including “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” “Una Paloma Blanca,” “Yellow Bird,” several polkas, “Tell MeWhy Youʼre Leaving Me,” “Volver, Volver,” and lots more. All that music and banter—wow, Jay - that was really great - you need to do that more often!

Elmer Faser and Henry Neiss - Henryʼs from North Dakota - played next. They did “Twelfth Street Rag,” “Red Raven Polka,” and “Give Me Your Heart Back” waltz. I started to say that was ―nice‖ but I won't do that to you again, Henry! (Henryʼs last name is pronounced ―nice!‖) Next up was Sam Pecorilla, who played several beautiful songs that got folks up and dancing, ending with “Que Sera Sera.” Thanks, Sam. He said he'll come back towards the end of the evening and play some more. Dr. Howard Van Orden played for us next - a tribute to Myron Floren - which began with “Let's Have a Party” and finished with “The Polka King.” We enjoyed that.

Our headliners took the stage - direct from Toledo, Ohio - the Squeezebox Band, with Ted Lange on accordion and button box, and Bobby Earl on drums, and starring Mollie Busta, who plays accordion, keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, button box, slide trombone, and flute. (I have a hard time playing the TV.) Well, that was about the most fun you can have with music!! Audience participation is their forte - they began with “The Happy Wan- derer” and followed with a huge variety of music - Czech, German, Polish, English and more - all danceable, all clappable, (is that a word?) all smile able—just great!! What a per- formance!! If you didn't get one of their CDʼs, you missed some great listening. Naturally, one of my favorite songs they did was Ted singing “I Just Donʼt Look Good Naked Any More.” They played polkas - lots of polkas - including one that Mollie wrote, and waltzes and just anything that sounded musical! ( Continues page 4 -> )

The Arizona Accordion Club Page 3 Table of Contents President’s Message Squeezebox and Frank Marocco Cover President’s recruiting Message Page 3 Our Meeting ! Pages 2 , 4 Better sound system. At the last meeting, many of you noticed Gig for your club’s future Page 4 that the sound system was better than ever. The reason for that, Advertisements Page 5 friends, is that Jay Stevens, Leigh Dechaine, Todd Hagen, Steve Accordion Instructors, repairs Page 6 Durkit, and I gathered at the church hall and found ways to bring the Upcoming Events Page 6 Come Hear Us Play Page 7 best sounds to the entire meeting hall. Now and in the future you Classifieds Page 8 can expect better, balanced sound. In addition we purchased some Advertisements Page 9 new mikes and stands so we can accommodate groups of most sizes Road Trip to see Tony L Page 11 Meeting location Map Back Cover and instrumentation. Membership Form Back Cover Get DVDs of our meetings. Are you aware that you can obtain a DVD of each meeting from Pete Donatella? If you missed Mollie B and Meeting Place Ted, you can see and hear the entire program on a DVD. What a show! Just call or email Pete. The cost is very reasonable. St. Stephen’s Hall 8141 North 16th Street Your Own AAC Accordion Orchestra in Concert on April 22. The Phoenix, AZ 85020 next twelve weeks, the AAC Orchestra is diligently rehearsing for a (602) 997-4563 wonderful concert on Sunday, April 22. We perform in one of the Third Monday of the Month most beautiful venues in Arizona – in the chapel of La Casa – the Meeting Begins at 6:30 PM Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. Get tickets ($8) early to Meeting Ends at 9:00 get a good seat. You are encouraged to be an event sponsor by pur- chasing front-row seats at $15 – and these are limited to only 22 Officers seats. Get tickets at the Feb, March and April meetings. President Jack Dermody (602) 237-5627 2 Workshops in March and April. We have not one but TWO terrific V. P. Jerry Szymanski ( 480) 488-0949 workshops by two very big accordion stars in America. First, in Secretary Leigh Dechaine (623) 582-3746 March, will be the one and only Fred Ziwick who will teach us how Treasurer Pete Donatella (623) 877-1846 to play Cleveland Style music in a pre-meeting workshop at the March 19 meeting. It’s scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of Board Of Directors the meeting. $25 gets you into one of the most useful, hands-on workshops you ever attended. Make reservations for Fred Ziwisk’s Jerry Szymanski ( 480) 488-0949 workshop at the Feb. 20 meeting. Also, save some time for a work- Paul Betken (480) 755-3539 shop the next month with the one and only Mario Pedone on April 16 Chuck Voinovich (480) 451-4416 during the same hours, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you attended his work- Dionne Hauke (602) 266 9622 shop two years ago, you know you are in for a master lesson that is Ted Lee (623) 444-5106 Jay Stevens (602) 819-5505 unavailable anywhere else in the entire world. Entry fee is also $25. Elmer Faser Scholarship Chairman Make reservations at the March 19 meeting. Bulletin Staff Duets in May. It’s been suggested we have “Duets” as a theme in May. Do you like to play duets? If Dionne Hauke Editor so, get started right now to show Raye Donatella Seasoned Pro Reporter your stuff at the May 21 meeting. Pete Donatella Field journalist Frank Schweller Distribution ~ Jack Zophie Rossner Still Photos Jerry Szymanski Still Photos Sal Genco Video Camera Jay Stevens Event Coordinator, Ensemble Booking [email protected] Phone: 602-819-5505 http://www.azaccordionclub.com Page 4 The Arizona Accordion Club

Then Mollieʼs Father, Jim Busta, from Minnesota, joined them with his concertina - and man, did he ever play that thing! He stretched it out about six feet and got such great sounds! Here I had been thinking that Mollie's folks should be so proud of her and Ted, and then Mollie's Dad plays and I realize they must ALL be proud of each other!

What talent! Mollie did a fabulous job on “The Auction- eer,” stepping it up faster and faster on each verse. That was impressive! They finished up with a polka medley that would knock your socks off! I think everyone in attendance had aching jaws from smiling all evening! We sure hope you folks come play for us again soon! (By the way, I was raised in Toledo a long time ago!)

Domenic Feroce played next - three very pretty tunes. Thanks, Domenic. Ted Walczak, from Canada, played “Mexicali Rose,” “Hungarian Dance #5,” and ―Les Bicyclettes De Bel- size.” Glad you stopped in to play for us, Ted - and thanks for giving me the list of your songs. Giving a fitting end to a wonderful evening, Sam Pecorilla played several more danceable songs to ensure that folks were all leaving on a happy note. Thanks, Sam.

Now for a quick ʻas my Dad always saidʼ ―The eagle is our national emblem, but the na- tional flower has to be the cost-of-living rose.‖ See you on February 20th

The Arizona Accordion Club Page 5 Fred Ziwich’s 3-hour master workshop on The Polka - Cleveland Style St. Stephen’s Hall Back Room before the regular meeting on Monday, March 19, 2011. From 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. $25 at the door

What You Will Learn: The key elements of the Cleveland Style with examples from the kings of Cleveland Style, like Frank Yank- ovic, Joey Misculin -- and of course, FRED ZIWICH!!! Learn also to play 2nd accordion with fill-ins and so much more. This is the rarest and most useful workshop you will ever attend to enhance your polka styles. Here is Fred’s bio directly from the plaque in his honor at the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio.

Fred Ziwich is known as just about the most versatile musician ever on the Cleveland polka scene. He is a virtuoso on several instruments, a prolific recording artist, and an expert musical arranger. As a bandleader, the ―International Sound Machine‖ has mastered, performed and recorded all of the major Polka styles. All the while maintaining a huge repertoire of popular music. There's no music he can't play -- and perform well.

It was probably obvious to anyone who knew him as a youngster, that Fred Ziwich was destined to become a musician. He took his first accordion lesson at the age of 5, and was able to read Music before reading English. Then, to be able to play in the school band, he started taking Clarinet Les- sons in the 4th grade. The next logical step was the Saxophone, and he tried that the first time in the 8th grade. The next major instrument that he learned was the button box, as he taught himself to play 6 songs in the days during his Easter Vacation of his Senior Year in High School.

As a teenager, he formed the Fred Ziwich Trio, and performed twice for Tony Petkovsek’s ―Polka Band of Tomorrow Contests.‖ He joined the Hank Haller ensemble in 1973 and played for about 4 years. Upon receiv- ing his music degree from University, Fred formed the ―International Sound Machine‖ in 1977. The purpose was to feature music of all nationalities.

In 1983, Fred made music his career and went on to record and perform with many other bands, such as Joe Beno, the Imperials, Linda Lee and the GoldenAires, Adam Barthalt, accordion champion Don Lipovac and Polka-Hall-of-Famer Hank Haller. Fred released his first album in 1979 and has since been a leader, or studio musician on over 90 recordings. You can hear him on albums by Hall-of-Famers Walter Ostanek and Joe Fedorchak. World Renowned Sounds released twenty recordings with Fred playing all of the instruments as the ―International Sound Machine‖. For their live performances, Gary and Christopher Byndas have performed with Fred for more than 20 years. Fred is a regular on the dance schedule of Frank Sterle's Slovenian Country House and the German Central Farm in Parma, Ohio and was a favorite at the Czech Karlin Hall. Since 1993, Fred has been the musical director of the German Music Society brass band (Deutscher Musik Verein). He also directed the Jadran Slovenian Chorus. Members of the Na- tional Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum have honored Fred as Musician of the Year and Button Box Player of the Year, as well as awards for Best New Song and Album of the Year. In 2007, Fred married his biggest fan, Marilyn. He teaches the piano accor- dion, Button Box, Clarinet, Sax, Flute and Trumpet and hosts two polka shows on the internet at 247PolkaHeaven.com.

Newsletter Inputs ? Please send them care of Jack at [email protected] Page 6 The Arizona Accordion Club

This is the last year! Jerry returns to Wisconsin May 1st 2012. Your last chance for a Musette Masterpiece at a Great Price….

Arizona Accordion Club Picnic will be February 26th 2012 at Papago Park 11 to 5, Ramadas #9/10 Watch for details in this newsletter and announcements at the club meetings. We will have sign up sheets at front table.

Brought to you by: Event Coordinator and Ensemble Booking Agent Jay Stevens [email protected]

Honorary Members Art Van Damme * Dick Contino *Dr. John Van Such * Art Metzler * Lenny Simmons Frank Yankovic * John Cesinger *Joe Kino * Helen Criscio * Flaco Jimenez Tony Lovello * Frank Marocco * Anthony Galla-Rini * Myron Floren * Al Monti The Arizona Accordion Club Page 7

Come Hear Us Play

Tony Putrino Free Accordion Concert Series - 2012 Friday, Feb 3rd, 7-9 PM Desert Ridge Market Place (1 01 and Tatum, Phoenix) AMC Fountains Stage

Friday, Feb 17th, 7-9 PM Tempe Market Place (McClintock & Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe) Paddy’s Peg Leg In Front of Barnes & Noble http://www.myspace.com/paddyspegleg

Friday, Mar 2nd, 7-9 PM Desert Ridge Market Place AMC Fountains Stage Paul Kay The Lynks Cafe is closed for the winter. Friday, Mar 16th, 7-9 PM Tempe Market Place Paul can be reached at 602-549-0497 In Front of Barnes & Noble

Bob Doszak Music for all Occasions *** Single **Duo ** Trio** Bookings, Info 480-982-0252 [email protected]

Bill Regina Music For All Occasions Piano Accordion Instructors: For Rates and Open Dates Call 602-938-3679 Pete Donatella 623 877-1846 Anthony Rolando 216-470-8463 and Piano,/Organ John Smoltz : Dr. Van Orden 623 203 7909 and Chromatic B System 480-575-0534 480-575-6996 Jack Dermody 602 237 5627 http://www.johnsmoltz.com/index.html Joanne Drum 480 994-4698 Tony Putrino 480 483-3943 Augie Figurelli: Bonnie Bingener 602-279-0378 and Piano (www.augieperforms.com) Joan Monti 602-923-3856

Check for performance schedule and exceptions. Button Accordion Instructor Vincitorio's Restaurant (480.820.2786) Tony Longoria ( Él habla español ) Elmer Faser and Duane Tendick : 602 718 4058 Acordeon Also Bajo Sexto y Bajo Quinto Haus Murphy’s y Bass Guitar. 5739 West Glendale Avenue Glendale Arizona 85301 623 939-2480 Every Friday and Saturday 6:00 to 8:00 Donations Accordion Babes in Phoenix! Helping to build a better club Thursday, January 26 7:30pm - 11:30 pm The Trunk Space,1506 NW Grand Ave. The Arizona Accordion Club isn’t just a organization. It is a group full of people who make it special. Phoenix AZ 85007 An All-ages Show. DVD’s of Club Meetings are available. ―All Arizona Accordion Club Meetings and sponsored events are copyrighted by the Board of the Arizona Accordion Club and are for the private use of our audience. Any other use of these programs or of any pictures, descriptions or accounts of the Arizona Accordion Club meetings, events and it’s performers, without a written approval of consent by the Arizona Accordion Club Board, is Prohibited‖ Page 8 The Arizona Accordion Club Musical Items For Sale:

Mackie 1202 VLZ Mixer. 12 channels. Wanted : a Petosa. An S-2000 model P- Wanted Chromatic C system accordion, Home or Studio grade. 4 XDR2 mic 800 with 4/4 sets of reeds or a model 17lbs max. Steve 651-702 0791 preamps,2 AUX sends, 3 band Active AM1100 an S-2000 Midi. Norbert [email protected] EQ,Has Phantom power switch to use Ludewig. 908-889-8476, 973-792-4661. 2 with orwithout Phantom power. Has 5 Ridge Way, Fanwood, NJ 07023 Musicians Available star rating.Includes original box, and Cordovox, recently tuned. Electric Bass, Tuba, Guitar, Vocal and manual. Excellent$150.00 GC 2 row Accordion $250.00. Button Accordion. Joan 602-923-3856. Ed Mikulich 623 362 1525 Experienced in, and enjoy a variety of music. Samson QV wired vocal condenser New to the area. The Rokuseks headset mic. extended frequency re- Guerrini Polka Box - Rhinestones - $2100 402-821-2120 or 402-821-70380. sponse, with stands high SPLs,PM4 Korg rotating sound machine - $250 Crate Amp - 15" speaker - $300 phantom power adapter included. In Black metal Conductors fold out music stand. original box. Excellent condition. Paid Selmer Model 80 Tenor Sax - $2900 Noblette Clarinet - $350 Includes case. Paid $100.00 Asking $119.99. Asking $50.00. 602-923-3856 Mikes, Stands, Fronts, etc. $50.00.Excellent condition. 623-566-1555. Ellie Aldrin - 602-996-8197 Monarch. Custom tuned 3 set musette I’m looking for a copy of „Brazilian reeds. Unmatched sound and volume. Excelsior 19 1/4‖ Keyboard,120 bass Samba”. If you can accommodate me, I shall Pickup and new wide straps. $1,100. 10/6 switches, slide mute, tone chamber, be in your debt forevermore. 480 278-9633 Jerry Siegler deluxe straps, heavy duty case, 27 lbs. Joanne Drum 480 994 4698 $1,700.00. Harry 602 568 3931. Accordions For Sale Too Many to list, Petosa Accordion/Organ Series II Chamber Key and Button Styles. Excelsior New York Model 5 accordion. 3/4 Handmade reeds. Black antico engraving, Gabacho Bob 623 780 3622 V.G. condition $350.00. 480 895-8161 complete with tone generator, has MIDI ca- pability. $1500.00 J. Drum 480 994 4698 Samson Wireless system. Amplify your Victoria Super 1960's Black, white pearl accordion without having to deal with a keys. 18 3/4" Keyboard 21 lbs. 5 oz,. Zupan 4 Row CGFBb V.G. condition, case cable to trip over. This is what I used on 41 /120. 7/3 switches.3 reed L-M-H Dry $1000.00 520 903 6378 Keith. Tucson, AZ. my accordion. It works great. Cost for a tuned. Straps and case. $450 OBO Jean T 570 972-6434 new unit is about $260. Selling this one Wanted :Dealers to handle my accordion for $130. Todd Hagen 623-582-5852 Faux Fur bass strap covers. Unbelievably comfortable beautiful Faux Mink or Chin- Hohner Ventura IV Musette Excelsior 96 bass midi accordion. 17 1/2 chilla Jimmy Jenson, 630 Elk Brophy Road, inch keyboard with 37 full size keys. 7/3 41/120 4/5 13/7 24 lbs $4000 NW. Alexandria, MN 56308.320 762 2411 switches. 4 pickups. Lightweight 21 lbs. [email protected] Hohner Atlantic IV Deluxe Excellent condition, includes case. 41/120 4/5 11+PM/3 22 lbs $750 $1500.Fake books $15.-$25.00.Joan 602- 480 830 8766 Glenn Tompkins 923-3856

Excelsior Midi with Xetron X4 module. 480 661-7750. [email protected] Pastore Italian made ladies accordion. ACCORDIONS & KEYBOARDS 8/2 switches. Perfect condition.$300 Clearwater, FL [email protected] RICHILIEU - Mint Rubell 4 String Call Felice at 602-279-0638. 727 443 4113. Cell 727 417 6099 Paid $3500.00 "Like new" Castiglione www.accordionsandkeyboards.net 19‖ Key / 120 bass accordion, black, Star Concertina Super Star mint. Free Shipping on these accordions with 9 treble / 3 bass switches asking 7 switch Quad in Bb. Black/chrome/red 2500.00 OBO call 480-629-8648 Jean 104 key. Amplified, case.$1,800.00 Excelsior Symphony Made In New York. Moore in Gilbert, AZ Jerry 623 332 2343 Plus 22 musical items. MIDI is installed. 4/6 sets of handmade reeds. Sano Amplification. Excellent Con- dition. $3200.00 120 bass Excelsior A.C. Great Musette Proteus/1 XR Module, model 9011, $75

$3,000 OBO Bob Dura 602-841-0487 Carl Nyberg 480 982-1479 Iorio "K" Series Reedless ( 15 lbs. )

accordion with Music Tech Midi Crate KX-80 Keyboard Amplifier, $80, Controller plus built-in sounds. Rod Julkowski 480 357 2412 Like New Condition. $2650.00

Ad Policy For Display ads, Arizona Accordion club members pay the lower price: Business card Size $5.00 or $8.00 Quarter page $10.00 or $16.00 Half page $20.00 or $32.00 Full page 40.00 or $64.00 The Arizona Accordion Club Page 9

Estimates always free Ziggie’s Music 602 266 9622 3309 North 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ 85012-2301

www.ziggiesmusic.com [email protected] Mondays - Saturdays 10-6

In Coolidge Timothy Gomez 1 520 510 9317

313 N.E. 45th St. Seattle, WA 98105 (206)-632- 2700

Visit Our Web Site www.petosa.com

“Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten”

If you are in Tucson Visit our good friends at ACT aka Accordion Club of Tucson http://www.accordionstucson.com/

Catch us on the World Wide Web http://www.azaccordionclub.com or My Space at http://www.azaccordionclub.com

Find Updates and features on upcoming meetings and highlights of our great guest performers. The Club Performers link offers Photos and bios of some of our regular players. Arizona Accordion Club members are encouraged to send their info to [email protected] Check the slide show for photos from recent Arizona Accordion Club meetings. Page 10 The Arizona Accordion Club

TIME TO RENEW YOUR DUES. TIME TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION. USE THE FORM ON THE BACK COVER AS A GUIDE AND SEND YOUR INFO BY EMAIL TO PETE DONATELLA AT [email protected].

He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts. He is a regular participant the Milwaukee Symphony Orches- tra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has performed with the Symphony Orchestra and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced numerous recordings including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for Bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has pub- lished several books of original com- positions.

MISHA LITVIN is a thrilling master mandolinist, He has performed as a solo recitalist and as a soloist with chamber orchestras in Russia, Germany, The Netherlands, France and the United States. Also an experienced conductor and music teacher at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. After graduating with a degree in orchestral conducting, music, and string pedagogy, he taught guitar and mandolin and led many student musical groups at the municipal music school in Minsk, Belarus. He currently performs in duos with piano, accordion and guitar. He also participates in educational programs with the Milwau- kee Symphony Orchestra with accordionist Stas Venglevski and been a member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra since 2000 Bavarian Inn Accordionist Joins Polka Hall of Fame Bavarian Inn Accordionist Joins Polka Hall of Fame Frankenmuth Restaurant Musician Wins Polka Honor

Frankenmuth, MI Dec. 29, 2011 – Linda Lee, full-time Entertainment Coordinator and House Musician at the world-famous Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Frankenmuth, Mich., was recently named to the Polka Hall of Fame Honor Roll by the National Cleveland- Style Polka Hall of Fame. She was one of six names added to the list at an awards cere- mony held last month in Ohio. In addition to her rigorous Bavarian Inn schedule, Linda Lee performs at various parties and festivals throughout the U.S. and hosts four weekly radio programs dedicated to polka music. ―Music is my life,‖ she says. ―It is a gift from God. It is a real blessing to meet people from all over the world on a daily basis at Bavar- ian Inn. I also enjoy being invited to the family reunion and gatherings of people I’ve come to know for decades. It is a privilege to play for them and be part of their extended family.‖ Linda Lee began playing music at age seven and started her professional career at age 10. When her three children became old enough to perform, she invited them into the act under the name “The Brown Family Singers.” While she loves her accordion, she also plays clarinet and saxophone. The Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of polka music, the happiest sound around. During its annual awards show, members vote for annual categories such as Recording of the Year, Lifetime Achievement recipients, and the all-time greatest polka hits among others. The honorees receive a Crystal Award trophy. The Lifetime Achievement award is the highest honor presented and includes enshrinement in the Polka Hall of Fame. The 24th annual National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame awards ceremony took place Nov. 26, 2011 in Euclid, Ohio. The Polka Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1987 by musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations. The Cleveland style of polka has roots in The Arizona Accordion Club Page 11

Do Not Miss the AAC Orchestra CONCERT on April 22

The Program: Orchestra pieces – classical and standards. Also be surprised with spe- cially prepared pieces by trios, duos, and our very best soloists. Day and Date: Sun- day, April 22, 2012 Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Franciscan Renewal Center, 5803 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253 – inside The Church of Our Lady of the Angels. Expect a beautiful, elegant setting and perfect acoustics.

Cost: $15 Sponsor Ticket (only 22 tickets available), guaranteed front-row seating. $8 for AAC members and friends (200+ tick- ets). Sponsors can opt to be listed in the program.

Tickets: Contact Jack Dermody at [email protected] or phone (602) 237-5627. Also for sale at the regular meetings of the Arizona Accordion Club on Feb 20, Mar 19, and Apr 16.

Another life saved by an accordion

Bulgarian-born French pianist Alexis Weissenberg, whose love of music from the age of 3 saved him and his mother from a World War II concentration camp and carried him to the heights of performances with Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, has died. He was 82. Weissenberg died Sunday in Lugano, Switzerland, according to Bulgarian and Swiss news reports. He had Parkinson's disease. An only child, Weissenberg was born into a Jewish family in Sofia in 1929. He recalled sharing "musical joys" learning piano and listen- ing to recordings and concerts with his mother, before studying piano with a famous Bulgarian , Pancho Vladigerov.

When he and his mother tried to flee German-occupied Bulgaria for Turkey with fake identification and visa papers in 1941, he recalled in an essay on his website (alexisweissenberg.com), they landed in "an improvised concentration camp" in Bulgaria for people crossing the border illegally. He said the German-guarded camp was probably intended to send people to Poland and extermination. They arrived with few belongings other than a small bag, a large cardboard box, a few sandwiches and an old accordion given him as a birthday gift by a wealthy aunt. And they were lucky: After three months in the unspecified camp, a German guard who enjoyed listening to Weissenberg play Schubert on the accordion helped them escape by train. "It was the same officer who decided one chaotic day to come and fetch us hurriedly, bring us to the station, push our belongings (still the cardboard box) through the door, literally throw the accordion through the window of the compartment," he recalled. The guard told his mother "Good luck" in German, then vanished. Half an hour later, they were over the border and no one asked for passports. The next day they arrived in Istanbul. He said luck "sometimes produces tiny miracles" and "our unexpected piece of luck was a musical instrument, the dear old accordion." They made their way to Palestine, where he performed Beethoven with the Israel Philhar- monic led by Leonard Bernstein. In 1946 he moved to New York to study at the Juilliard School of Music. Then, in the 1950s, he moved to Paris and became a French citizen. Mr. Weissenberg recounted their detention at a concentration camp, in an autobiographi- cal essay on his Web site, alexisweissenberg.com

(Associated Press)

TIME TO RENEW YOUR DUES. TIME TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION. USE THE FORM ON THE BACK COVER AS A GUIDE AND SEND YOUR INFO BY EMAIL TO PETE DONATELLA AT 4416 North 102nd Drive Phoenix, AZ 85037

JOIN THE AAC! BE A MEMBER! Arizona Accordion Club Membership Form Please Print or Type All Information Include this form with $25.00 for one-year membership fee payable to: Arizona Accordion Club. Send to Arizona Accordion club, c/o Pete Donatella, 4416 N. 102nd Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85037.

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