Accordions Around the World returns to Bryant Park next week with four weeks of strolling musicians. The series features more than 100 accordionists, as well as bandoneón, bayan, concertina, and harmonium-players of different musical genres performing on Wednesday evenings, June 28 to July 19.
Each week spotlights 24 musicians, and offers audiences the chance to experience the range of this often-overlooked instrument.
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Here are some of the featured musicians:
June 28 – Performers include father/daughter duo Lena and Charlie Giordano, who occasionally plays with Bruce Springsteen, and Rob Curto from Brazilian bluegrass band Matuto
July 5 – the acclaimed Mario Tacca and Lila Downs accordionist George Saenz
July 12 – Norwegian group Smörgåsbandet, the first Norwegian performers in the series’ history, and former accordionist for Gogol Bordello Yuri Lemeshev
July 19 – Premiere bandoneónista Maestro Tito Castro, Gregory Grene (from the Irish band The Prodigals) and longtime accordionist for Regina Carter, Will Holshouser
The series finale on on Friday, July 21, with the Accordion Festival, hosted by long-time New York City-based accordionist Rachelle Garniez, whose original lyrical and melodic story-songs have been described as “romantic, rhapsodic and casually hilarious” (The New York Times).
This special event features Bil Afrah Project, which celebrates the legendary Lebanese album, Bil Afrah, by Ziad Rahbani; Zlatni Balkan Zvuk, the debut project from top accordionist Peter Stan that brings Balkan wedding music to the streets of New York City; Osnelda, a group that mixes elements of frontman Felipe Hostins’ Southern Brazilian upbringing with forró, the music from Northeastern Brazil; Gregorio Uribe, Colombian accordionist and big band leader; and, more to be announced.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.