CAA Blog

Our next CAA Gathering on March 25, 2018 at 1:00 at the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire is going to be nothing short of a BLAST!

Noted accordionist, CAA member Michael Clarke has an impressive history and background. A founding member of Celtic Cross, a celtic-rock band formed in the 1980s in the New York metropolitan area, Mr. Clarke ushered in the tri-state’s homage to the "Celtic Tiger” movement by writing and performing on Celtic Cross' popular first album, entitled Part the First.  Mr. Clarke has recorded with Tommy Mulvihill, John Nolan, Kitty Kelly, Susan McGrath and Eileen Crowley, and has performed with Paddy Noonan, Dermot O’Brien, the Saw Doctors, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Michael “Jesse" Owens, the Wolfe Tones, the Commitments, the Jamie Kelly Band and the Andy Cooney Band.  Currently, Mr. Clarke regularly performs live an eclectic mix of Irish and 1980s music with the two piece band, McBueller.

He is going to be hosting a traditional Irish “seisiun” along with vocalist Kathy Mrazik. Everyone is invited to bring instruments and join in music and song!

Don't miss this one...but please RSVP!!!

Many thanks to all of you who attended our FABULOUS concert last Sunday, December 3, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Waterbury.

For those of you who missed the live performance, you can see the concert in the video section of this website!

There will be no CAA Gatherings in January and February of 2018. We are noticing that the weather can be an issue that affects attendance at these gatherings.  SO.....we will see you on March 25, 2018.  We are scheduled for the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire at 1:00.  Details TBA.

Also, our next concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 at St. John's Episcopal.  Don't miss it!

Happy Holidays!  May 2018 bring all of you JOY!

THANK YOU to all of you folks who braved last Sunday's stormy weather to attend our CAA Gathering at The Waverly Tavern!  We had a great time jamming under the direction of CAA Orchestra Conductor, Peter Peluso, playing Carolina in the Morning, Somewhere My Love and The Happy Wanderer.  And the CAA Orchestra gained a NEW MEMBER !  Welcome Linda Riley to the CAA Orchestra Family!

Special thanks to Paul Ramunni for bringing instruments for folks to try out and play!

We had several special guest performers at open mic who charmed the crowd! Paul Ramunni gave a great tribute to Tony Lovello.  Performances by Doug Codianni, Mike Dran, Peter Peluso along with young vocalist Olivai Smailes. Anita and Bob Siarkowski charmed the audience in Octoberfest costume.

On to our next gathering....our annual Holiday Concert!

CAA IN CONCERT ON DECEMBER 3 AT 3:00!

St John's Episcopal Church in Waterbury CT will be the setting for our annual Holiday Concert this year!  The CAA Orchestra, led by Peter Peluso, will charm you with classical holiday favorites, a little rock and roll, guest artists and special vocalists!  See the details under "Next Meeting" on this website!

On Sunday, September 24, at the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire, CT, the Connecticut Accordion Association dedicated its gathering to Bob Vitale, who passed away last July 15. The crowd of some 75 CAA members viewed a slide show dedicated to Bob and heard tributes from his 2 sons, Michael and Mark Vitale.

They were entertained by Eddie Monteiro, joined by Mitchell Guido on Sax and Jack Varanelli on drums. All 3 of these musicians had the pleasure of knowing Bob personally as well as professionally and shared a mutual respect for each other as musicians.  Eddie paid a visit to Bob during his last days, coming to Bob's house and delivering a private concert to Bob just days before he passed. Mitchell Guido, Conductor of the AAA's Youth Involvement Jazz Ensemble in 2016 and 2017, played under Bob as a participant of that program. Jack Varanelli is a well known and respected jazz percussionist who played alongside Bob in their younger days as well as with the CAA orchestra.

The program closed with a video of Bob leading the AAA's Youth Involvement Jazz Ensemble, which he directed in Alexandria, VA in 2015. Finally, AAA Vice President Joe Ciccone presented a declaration from the AAA officially naming the Youth Involvement Program after Bob.

Join us on October 29th at 1:00 at the Waverly Tavern for a GROUP JAM led by CAA Orchestra conductor Peter Peluso.  Sheet music to be provided. Bring your own accordion and jam with us! If you're new to the accordion, or curious about playing one and don't have an instrument, a limited number of instruments will be on hand for your use, courtesy of the New England Accordion Connection and Museum! Come see what it's like to play an accordion!

The Jam will be followed by ACCORDION PLUS OPEN MIC!

Bring a musical friend for the OPEN MIC portion of the event and perform for the group!

Get more details by pressing the NEXT MEETING button on the website.

Accordion icon Tony Lovello passed away on Sunday, September 3. A number of us in the CAA had the pleasure of hearing Tony play over the years at various AAA functions, at the Florida Smash and most recently at the New England Accordion Museum, compliments of Paul Ramunni. It was an honor to know and hear Tony. He will be greatly missed....

NICHOLASVILLE -Tony Lovello, 84, died Sept.3, 2017, at St. Joseph Hospital. Born in Buffalo, NY, he moved to Los Angeles, Ca. at the age of 12. There he became a Master of the Accordion and consummate showman. Tony played with "The Three Suns", and such stars as Eddie Cantor, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante and many others. He was a Korean War Veteran and spent his time entertaining the troops. In later years, he managed the Campbell House Inn for 31 years. He continued performing and teaching throughout his life. He taught students all over the world via Skype. He is survived by his wife Jo Ellen, daughters: Lee Gehefer, Louise Lovello, Toni (Gary) Comeaux, and Jill Hartfield; 8 grandchildren: Jessica, Olivia, Jolene, Ryan, Natasha, Nicole, Jason and Michael, 5 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Joe (Dianne) Lovullo, sister-in law, Grace Lovullo and numerous nieces and nephews.

The 70th annual Coupe Mondiale is currently in progress in Osimo, Italy. It started on September 5th and runs through September 12th. This is an international accordion competition held each year, and it is run by the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes. Our very own Nathan Chapeton, student of Mary Tokarski is there with Mary representing the United States.

Following are links to the appropriate sites for viewing the competitions and daily reports:

Competition videos:   http://www.coupemondiale.org/ - simply click on the link in the “Category/Concert” column, and the page with the videos will appear

Daily reports:  http://coupemondiale.org/2017/ - click on the specific day at the top of the page to see that day’s report

Bob Vitale
April 8, 1937 - July 15, 2017

If love alone could have healed you, you never would have left us...

Deeply missed by the Connecticut Accordion Association and the accordion world.

Hey Everyone!

Excerpts from our fabulous concert at the Mattatuck are available for your personal viewing!  This concert was held on May 21, and was a huge success!  Press the video button in the left menu here on the webpage and give a look and listen to our wonderful orchestra, fabulous young soloists and guest artists from Wolcott High. We were graced with the talent of Mitch Guido on sax, too!

A very special thank you to Ray De Brown for the arrangement of "Fly Me To The Moon."

THE AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS' ANNUAL SQUEEZE FEST IS COMING UP!

If you have not made your reservations, you still have time!  The festival will be held from July 12-16 at the Westin Princeton Hotel at Forrestal Village in Princeton, New Jersey.  Come and hear lots of concerts, go to workshops, After hours Club performances (that means you, too!) and a special Meet and Greet on Wednesday night. Check out the exhibitors and watch the competitions, hear our youngsters perform at the Awards Banquet.  Join the festival orchestra under the baton of William Morse and play at the Gala Banquet on Saturday night. SO MUCH FUN!!

Go to www.ameraccord.com for all the details and forms!