The night of the accordion. With performances by Russian, Argentinian, Colombian, Ukrainian, Haitian, Belgian and American accordion players.
Colombia:
‘La Vallenato’
Vallenato is a genre of music from Colombia. A lot of folkloristic and modern rhythms that can be used with an accordion are called Vallenato. According tot radition there are only 4 official base rhythms; the paseo, the merengue, the puya and the son. The Vallenato is the music of Colombia par excellence. Cd: Columbie: Le Vallenato. Label: Ocora (1996), code: C 560093. Distribution: Harmonia Mundi (Fr.)
Argentina:
Chango Spasiuk.
Passionate accordion player and composer Changio Spasiuk has changed the Chamame – a marginalized countryside sort of dance music from the northeast of Argentina – into a very elaborate "form of art". His role can be compared to that of his fellow countryman Astor Piazzolla, who added jazz and classical elements to the Tango.
Cd: ‘Tareffero de mis Pagos’ van Chango Spasiuk. Label: Piranha (2004), code: cd-pir1895.
United States:
Boozoo Chavis.
Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis was a very influential zydeco musician, born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1930. Acknowledged for his unrivaled singing and accordion playing performances, Chavis was also a productive songwriter, many of his songs were "standard repertoire" for zydeco musicians. Chavis triumphed with his album "the king of zydeco". He mostly performed with original compositions, performaed with the band "The Magic Sounds". Boozoo Chavis passed away in Austin, Texas, on 5 May 2001.
Cd: ‘Who stole my money?’ van Boozoo Chavis. Label: Rounder Records (1999), code: CD 11661-2156-2.
Haiti:
Ti-Coca – Toto Bissainthe.
In Haïti, the most "African" country in the Caribbean, the drums form the basis of voodoo, while the rhythms and songs of the local troubadours keep alive the black heritage. TI-Coca and his musicians take us on a journey to the roots of the Merengue. TI-Coca is a Caribbean dandy with a voice that reminds one of some of the great Cuban voices of the past. Accompanied by accordion, contrabass, banjo, and drums, he sings with a band that has a modest style that brings to life traditional musical performances. Finishing with three recordings of Toto Bissainthe (passed away in 1994), they pay tribute to this ‘grande dame’ of Haiti.
Cd: Haiti: Ti-Coca, Toto Bissainthe. Label: WDR-World Network (1999), code: 32,373.
United States:
Bois Sec Ardoin.
Singer and accordion player Alphonse Ardoin, nicknamd "Bois Sec" (dry wood), who passed away at age 90, was part of the most prominent families of Afro-American musicians in the southwest of Louisiana. His cousin "Amede Ardoin" was one of the first to record the Louisiana Creole music in 1929, and a number of his descendants (sons and grandsons) have now become famous representatives of the "zydeco" style.
Cd: ‘Allons danser’ by Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin. Label: Rounder Records (1998), code: CD6081.
Russia:
Vladimir Denissenkov.
Accordion player Vladimir Denissenkov is an Ukrainian who has lived in Italy for years. Having graduated from the Conservatory of Moscow after years of intensive activities with local artists, he reached Italy and worked together with many Italian performers. With his virtuoso qualities as an instrumentalist on a Russian accordion (the bajan), Vladimir Denissenkov lets us hear renewing sounds.
Cd: Feeling & Passion by Vladimir Denissenkov. Label: Felmay (2014), code: fy8215.
Belgium:
Catherine Delasalle
& Philippe Thuriot.
Together with the strings of the Piacevole string quintet, they have built up a firm reputation as builders of bridges between genres in recent years. Via adventurous excursions, including the tango repertoire, the gypsy world, the Yiddish inheritance and the jazz with Philippe Catherine, the duo keeps exposing hidden connections between the most diverse traditions and demonstrates convincingly that all good music is "one".
Cd: ‘Valses’ by Catherine Delasalle & Philippe Thuriot. Label: HA’records (2004), code: HA’07. Distribution: V2 Music Benelux.
Ukraine:
Volodymyr Kurylenko.
Ukrainian Volodymyr Kurylenko plays the bayan, a chromatic, typically Russian accordion. This instrument’s warm, melodious sound makes it very suitable for Slavic music. Volodymyr studied classical music and will perform any style from Bach to modern, jazzy or festive. Naturally, much of his music originates from the Soviet Union and Ukraine, but also from France and Argentina.
Cd: ‘Impromptu’ by Volodymyr Kurylenko. Label: Bayan (2005).
And last but not least, Richard Galliano from France: www.youtube.com
