NEWSLETTER OF THE October 2017 SVAS Next Meeting: Sunday November 5, 2017 at Harry s Hofbrau The Truccos come back This father and son duo from Stockton, CA, in the heart of the Central Valley, has been playing together for over twenty years. Steve Trucco began taking accordion lessons in 1949 at the age of ten. His teacher, John Pisacco, was trained by the Pezzolo brothers of San Francisco and at that time was the finest teacher in the valley. Mr. Pisacco stressed good timing and an articulate touch on both keyboard and basses. Steve s son Michael, has been playing the accordion for over 25 years. Beginning lessons at nine years old, he studied under Pam Turbetti of Stockton, CA. After five years of lessons, Michael began playing professionally with his father s group and also on his own. In 2006, The Trucco Families formed Accordions Rock!!! a business selling t-shirts, hats, aprons anything they could put their logo on. They started a website, accordionsrock.com, and have shipped items to accordion lovers all over the country. Steve and Michael play mostly Italian waltzes and polkas, mixing in a few standards from the 40 s and 50 s, where Michael handles the vocals. They have been featured at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention for many of the 12 years of its existence, the Cotati Accordion Festival, the Reno Italian Festival, the Great American Squeeze Off and have played for the Concert in the Park Series in their hometown of Stockton. Their unique style of playing duets has been honed to almost an art form. Even though they are two separate accordionists, when they play together, they seem to meld into a single accordionist. Jam Band for everyone to play in with Ken Caples Purple Jam Book at 1:00 pm VISIT OUR WEBSITE at SVASociety.org and visit us on Facebook Watch our Videos on: youtube
SILICON VALLEY ACCORDION SOCIETY OCTOBER 2017 Page 2 PRESIDENTS MESSSAGE The front end of our program was under-scheduled this month. We had some cancellations and scheduling shortfalls but in all we pulled it together. I am glad Sue, Don & Sherry brought their accordions and played for us. The year is racing past us as usual. It won t be long and we will be playing Christmas songs again. I was happy to see that Bill was back. He was his Ole self again and not the worse for the wear. He was able to play with the Happy Days Band even with an extended play time. Ken Caple President We were all delighted to hear a new comer, Phil Young. play the accordion like an expert. I hope he joins the club and continues to play in the future. Scott Bader is now heading to Nevada to a new life. We are looking for help to handle the electronics set up. If anyone is interested please contact me or any board member. We are still looking for a photographer to take photos for the newsletter. If you would like to help out in this area please let us know. Scott Williamson will be taking over the SVAS Newsletter soon. He will need help with the photos and some data and info gathering. If anyone would like to exercise their writing talents he will be looking for filler articles and other accordion interest articles for publication. I will be visiting the International Accordion Convention this month in Las Vegas with two other couples from our Club. It is always great fun. - Ken Bill Tapogna Master of Ceremonies Sue Douglas SVAS Reporter Sue enjoyed playing some Oktoberfest music and a polka. Then Sherry Xie played Red River Valley, Edelweiss, Love Me Tender Love Me True and the Tick Tock Polka. Then Don Savant played Pic Nic Waltz, In a Sentimental Mood, Lido Polka and Misty. Did you miss a meeting performance? You can view some of it on youtube. To View Pam s Videos from past meetings: Go to youtube.com, type in accordionpam in the search field (next to the magnifying glass on top) for videos from the club.
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SILICON VALLEY ACCORDION SOCIETY OCTOBER 2017 Page 4 The Happy Days Band Ken Caple Hubert Kallabis Marcia Coullahan Gloria Tapogna Bill Tapogna The Happy Days Band, with Bill and Gloria Tapogna, Marcia Coullahan, Hubert Kallabis and Ken Caple started off with Happy Days Are Here Again. And they entertained us with Julida Polka, Tick Tock Polka, Yes sir That s My Baby and Deep in the Heart of Texas. Another fun and upbeat song is Jambalaya. They played waltzes like the Blue Skirt Waltz, and Ray danced them with our featured player, Gail Campanella. Phil Young, who plays his accordion very dramatically and professionally, also composes music in many forms. When he played Blue Sky, he was able to hold onto one bass note while playing several treble notes. And he played those treble notes so fast and accurately! Well he s been playing the accordion since he was 10 years old, and he hasn t stopped. Also, it was good to hear Scott Williamson and Bob Stanfield play a selection of Norwegian tunes such as the Grandfather s Waltz and the Bjorn s Polka. With the second round of the polka, they played it even faster. Well done and more fun. Ken was kind enough to lend his Concerto accordion to Scott for this event. Bob and Scott have been playing with the local Norwegian folk dance group. Welcome New Member: Wayne Lavengood
SILICON VALLEY ACCORDION SOCIETY OCTOBER 2017 Page 5 How nice it was to have two SVAS founder visitors, Don Pandori, John Marquette. Lynn Ewing, President of the San Francisco Club was also at our October gathering. L-R John Marquette, Don Pandori & Rudy Pivk Our raffle winners were Dan, with the can of peanut treats, Kathleen, with two bottles of wine, Bernie, with a bottle of wine, Barbara, with candy and wine and Margie, with candy. Gail Campanella can shake the bellows while playing separate intricate notes! That is truly not easy to do. She played music that made us want to dance, like Gypsy Girl, Midnight In Paris, Clarinet Polka, Neglio Stareea, Moment In Marseille, Scherzo, Donkey Serenade, Zingarella, Tantalizing, Waltz Allegro, Sakkyarven (a Finnish piece), Nadiais Theme, My Mandolin, Cavaquinho, Dizzy Fingers and Angelo di Pippo. And the most amusing piece she played was the Wrong Note Polka! Each time she hit the wrong note, that was so funny and we chuckled. It was a pleasure to have Gail come and entertain us. Go to FACEBOOK to make comments and upload your photos.
Silicon Valley Accordion Society OCTOBER 2017 Page 6 ACCORDION TEACHERS: Peter Di Bono: San Francisco (415) 699-8674 Lynn Ewing: San Carlos (650) 867-2633 ewinglynn@gmail.com Lou Jacklich: San Lorenzo (510) 317-9510 Marian Kelly: Cupertino (650) 954-3711 Mike Zampiceni: Sunnyvale and Hayward (408) 569-2579 Mikezamp.com Ernie Beran: Aptos, reeds@baymoon.com (831) 238-4961 Coming Events at SVAS: Sunday November 5, 2017 Meeting : Doors open at 1:00 pm 1:00-2.00 pm Jam Band, Ken Caple 2:00-2:15 pm Ron Harris 2:15 3:00 pm 3:00 3:30 pm Break & Drawing Master of Ceremonies Remarks 3:30 4:30 pm Michael & Steve Trucco - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - December: Jim Bianchi and Ron Borelli January 2018: February 2018: SVAS BOARD of Directors / Officers PRESIDENT: KEN CAPLE, 408 892-2760 VICE PRESIDENT: BILL TAPOGNA, 408 984-5290 SECRETARY: SCOTT WILLIAMSON TREASURER: BOB STANFIELD, 650 888-3701 DIRECTORS: LOU BUONOMO PAM KAWASHIMA SUE DOUGLAS DENNIS JUDD Board Committee Norma Parsons Dick Suidzinski Art Maggio Scott Bader WEBMASTER: PAM KAWASHIMA pkawashima@outlook.com NEWSLETTER Producer: Ken Caple NL Reporters: SUE DOUGLAS, MARCIA COULLAHAN, MARYBARBARA ZORIO, GEORGIA SUTHERLAND Who s Playing??? William DeMichelis Music with an accent, 408-375-0001, accordionist.sanjose@comcast.net Reno di Bono plays the second Friday of each month at Montavalle in Scotts Valley, dancing to the Blue Moon Trio. Joe Domitrowich/AlpinersUSA see www.alpinersusa.com or www.capricious-accordion.com or call 408-255-1259 Happy Days Band Schedule Concerts with Ken Caple (408) 892-2760 Due Zighi Baci Schedule Performances with Sheri Mignano at sherimignano@gmail.com Ernie Beran Plays at the Tyrolean Inn Restaurant in Ben Lomond, CA every Saturday 6:00-9:00 pm Sunday 7 Band Plays every first Friday of the month in Los Altos in front of Le Boulanger bakery on the corner of main street and Second street in the down town area. Schedule Concerts with Bob Stanfield (650) 888-3701 Mike Zampiceni Plays at Tee Nee Thai Restaurant on Friday nights 6:30-8:30 and some Saturdays. ACCORDION CLUB MEETING SCHEDULES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Accordion Club of the Redwoods (ACR) meets on the third Monday of every other month beginning in February 2017. Herman & Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma CA 94952. Contact: (707) 795-4060. Golden State Accordion Club (GSAC) has three divisions: 1. The Vacaville Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM, Pietro s N.2, 679 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95687. 2. The Humboldt Club meets on the third Tuesday, 7:00 PM., Humboldt Swiss Club, 5403 Tompkins Hill Road, Loleta, CA 95551. 3. The Sacramento Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Elks Lodge No.6,6446 Riverside Blvd, Sacrament,CA.. Contact for all the GSAC: Carole Enneking (707) 864-2359. Good Time Accordion Club (GTAC) meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM, Escalon Community Center, 1055 Escalon Ave., Escalon, CA 95320. Contact Ed Sciarini (209) 545-3603. Northern California Accordion Society (NCAS) meets on the first Wednesday of the month 6:30 PM 6365 Douglas Blvd., Lutheran Church Social Hall, Granite Bay, CA 95746. San Francisco Accordion Club (SFAC) meets on the third Sunday of the month 2:00 PM. Chetcuti Community Room,, Civic Center Plaza, 450 Poplar Ave., Milbrae, CA 94030 ; Contact Lynn Ewing 650-453-3391. Silicon Valley Accordion Society (SVAS) meets on the first Sunday of the month, 1:00 PM at Harry s Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129. (between Kiely Blvd. and Stevens Creek Blvd. Contact: Bill Topogna (408) 984-5290.
SILICON VALLEY ACCORDION SOCIETY OCTOBER 2017 Page 7 Some of the background to ABFY There is a group of songs that every accordion player learns, or is expected to know. The A in ABFY stands for Ain t She Sweet. Composed by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics) the song was published in 1927. For the beginner, the music is in the peoples key : C, and even the single right hand note version sounds pretty good. According to Wikipedia, this is one of the tunes that typified the Roaring Twenties, although Ager is credited with composing the piece for his daughter. Many, many famous musicians have made a point of playing, recording, adapting this piece: Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Frank Sinatra, and the Beatles. It is often included by performers at the Association, including Bob Stanfield s Sunday Seven band, the Happy Days band, and all the Jam Bands. The next question: what does B stand for? Jack Yellen Milton Ager SUNDAY SEVEN BAND PLAYS AT THE VILLAGES, SAN JOSE It may be interesting to read about various performances by members. In that light, Bob Stanfield s Sunday Seven band recently played at the Villages in San Jose. This is a large retirement community in south San Jose with a central meeting hall, including a beautiful outdoor area. The residents have organized a series of dinner time events. On this occasion, it was the Sunday Seven band. The band first set up in the outdoor area (in the photo) and started playing as residents trickled in. As you can see, everyone was in their best Oktoberfest finery. The selection was a mix. It included genuine Oktoberfest music such as In München steht ein Hofbrauhäus, In Himmel gibst kein bier, And several interesting German tunes like Bummel Petrus. If you want a laugh you might watch Andre Rieu s orchestra playing this piece on YouTube. https://youtu.be/ grd4pxaaeve At one point, two members of the orchestra provide accompaniment while gargling! A little later, the whole audience learns that the cup and bottle of water under every seat is for them to join in gargling. Another piece was In the Tyrolean Alps, composed by Gordon Kohl who recently played for SVAS. The band also played pieces from its core selection, like Beer Barrel Polka, Ain t She Sweet, I Can t Help It, and Chicken Dance. Chicken Dance is often popular with youngsters who learn it in pre-school, and sometimes oldsters who remember learning it.. Following the outdoor playing the audience moved into the hall for dinner. The band played dinner music for about another half hour, then it was their turn for a dinner. Altogether a nice occasion, with a verbal invitation for two performances next year!
Newsletter of the P.O. Box 1513 Los Altos, CA 94023 FIRST CLASS POSTAGE Silicon Valley Accordion Society meetings held first Sunday of each month at Harry's Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, corner of Kiely. Doors open at 1:00, Music begins at 1:00 pm, Meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. door fee $5 for members and $ 10.00 for non-members, 16 years and under are free. - JOIN THE CLUB - Annual Memberships: Regular $35.00, Gold $125.00, Platinum $200.00