Gordon Kohl  -  February 2012:

Dear ALSI membership and accordion music friends:

     The January 2012 ALSI Concert was fantastic as promised. ALSI concerts are memorable events to be enjoyed not only by members but by the general public as well. The incomparable Mario Pedone has done it again. He plays his music with passion, excellence and imagination. The use of improvisational tricks was enjoyable to listen to Mario is one of a few international accordionists who really desire to share music knowledge and musicianship skills with fellow accordionists. Thank You Mario! This is a “creed” with true musicians. We enjoy giving enjoyment to the music audience and connoisseur of an art form that is as special as the musician who plays the music.
     February 12th is ALSI’s time to share fine music for the members meeting, Love songs, Standards, those special songs about life in general will be played the entire afternoon. I am sorry to miss this ALSI special afternoon. My own gigs take me away that weekend.
     There are many new musicians moving to San Diego. I have met even young pop original accordionists, 17 to 19 years of age. The accordion is becoming an accepted musical instrument to play, at home and in the professional arena. I am happy to hear so many young artists playing in ethnic and pop style bands.
The sales and production of diatonic Mexican, Norteño, TexMex, and Cajun accordions must be exciting. To hear both men and women playing accordions of many colors and styles to the Beer Barrel Polka and other ethnic music is a thrill. I have hoped for years that ethnic music from many cultures would be played more on the accordion. Why not? This is how the process began in Europe and spread in popularity to many other countries and this has been incorporated in many other cultural repertoires.
     Come March 11th to a special afternoon meeting at ALSI. The famous Accordionaires Orchestra will present a spectacular concert and show. We have asked for a show performance much like the Lawrence Welk or a Dean Martin Show of the 1960’s.
     Buy your tickets early and bring your friends. You will be very pleased at the music show you will soon be hearing. I would be so happy to need to find a larger room for upcoming events were we to fill the “room”. As George Strait, the country super-star singer would say, “Let’s do it’”

Happy New Years to all and all the best of health in 2012.

Gordon-