The tenth edition of the International Accordion Festival in Theater Geert Teis in Stadskanaal was a success. The contracted artists were all present. The organization had once again managed to put together a varied and fascinating program with excellent accordionists and top musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. Pietro Adragna and Chiara Sernesi arrived on Friday afternoon, April 14, and we were able to pick up Jonny Kerry at NS station Assen on Saturday afternoon at 4:55 pm. The program was from 13:30-17:00 with one big break of 30 minutes. Below you see some pictures taken by Albert Engels, Grapho, Nieuw-Buinen.

Pietro Adragna was already a guest in Stadskanaal for the fourth time. This time with his girlfriend Chiara Sernesi. Chiara and Pietro both teach at the same music school. Chiara teaches the flute and she also plays the flute excellently. Pietro first played some solo songs without a rhythm section, such as Waltz Medley, Tico Tico in set 1 and in set 2 Sambatucada and Cavatina di Figaro by Rossini. But the interplay of Pietro, Chiara, Bert van Erk and Rene van Astenrode was amazingly beautiful. In set 1, among other things, two pieces from E. Morricone DEBORAH'S THEME and NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO, ear-pleasing music. But also two beautiful pieces “VOU VIVENDO” and UM A ZERO by the Brazilian composer, arranger, flautist and saxophonist Pixinguinha. They also played two of their own compositions “TOGETHER” and “NOTRE-DAME” by P. Adragna - S. Nogara. In short, a lot of variety.

Marieke Kroes (NL).
Marieke (1986) played two sets of 15 minutes each. In her first set she played the Italienisches Konzert BWV 971 I: Allegro II: Andante III: Presto by JSBach. And in her second set she played 3 pieces: L'Egyptienne - JP Rameau; Sonata in c minor K302 - Domenico Scarlatti and Asturias - I.Albeniz Arr. F. Lips. Marieke is secretary of the NOVAM (Dutch Organization for Accordion and Harmonica) and she regularly judges during the annual NOVAM National Competition, which usually takes place in March.
Website: https://www.mariekekroes.nl

 Jonny Kerry (GB) and Paulus Schäfer (NL).
Originally, Jonny was supposed to come to Stadskanaal with the English guitarist Harry Diplock. But due to circumstances Harry had to cancel and the Dutch guitarist Paulus Schäfer was brought to Stadskanaal. Their first set consisted of five songs including You've Got Me – Ray Davis; Besame Mucho - Consuelo Velázquez; Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. An own composition by Jonny, Castelfidaro, was also played. Their second set included Route 66 (Rene Vibraphone) - Bobby Troup; La vie en rose - Louis Gugliemi; Autumn leaves - Joseph Kosma. The special thing is that Jonny also sings now and then, something that doesn't happen very often with accordionists.
Website Jonny Kerry: https://www.jonnykerry.com/
Website Paulus Schäfer: https://www.sintimusic.nl/

René Trok (NL).
It took a lot of persuasion to get René Trok to Stadskanaal to participate in the 10th edition of the International Accordion Festival. But finally, after 3 months, René came with the message that he will come soon. We also want some “lighter” music in the program, “Easy listening” music. In his first set he played songs like "Tulips from Amsterdam" and "Mokum wat je je nou" and the beautiful song Feelings by Morris Albert, which originally comes from a French song (Pour toi) from 1957, written by Louis guest. In his second set he played “De Buurt” (Willy Alberty), Sheep with the 5 legs, and a very nice song “Contigo Aprendi” by Armando Manzanero Canché, a Mexican composer, pianist and singer. He ended with a medly of Dutch standards.
Website: https://www.renetrok.com/

 Pietro Adragna and Chiara Sernesi (IT).
Pietro Adragna was already a guest in Stadskanaal for the fourth time. This time with his girlfriend Chiara Sernesi. Chiara and Pietro both teach at the same music school. Chiara teaches the flute and she also plays the flute excellently. Pietro first played some solo songs without a rhythm section, such as Waltz Medley, Tico Tico in set 1 and in set 2 Sambatucada and Cavatina di Figaro by Rossini. But the interplay of Pietro, Chiara, Bert van Erk and Rene van Astenrode was amazingly beautiful. In set 1, among other things, two pieces from E. Morricone DEBORAH'S THEME and NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO, ear-pleasing music. But also two beautiful pieces “VOU VIVENDO” and UM A ZERO by the Brazilian composer, arranger, flautist and saxophonist Pixinguinha. They also played two of their own compositions “TOGETHER” and “NOTRE-DAME” by P. Adragna - S. Nogara. In short, a lot of variety.
Facebook Pietro Adragna: https://www.facebook.com/pietro.adragna/
Facebook Chiara Sernesi: https://www.facebook.com/chiara.sernesi.50/

Eduard Langeloo (NL).

The now 12-year-old Eduard Langeloo is a student of our board member Gertie Bruin. Eduard played three short songs accompanied by Bert van Erk and Rene van Astenrode.

Saturday afternoon there was a short rehearsal in the Kunstenschool ZG with Bert and Rene. It is quite an experience to play together with two professional musicians.

Congratulations Eduard, very well done and most importantly, keep it up.

Bert studied classical guitar at the conservatory in Amsterdam. After switching to double bass, he played with various artists, including accordionist Harry Mooten. He currently plays in the Groningen Drie Sterren Trio with Gertie Bruin (accordionist) and Don Hofstee (guitarist). Every week on Monday in the concert hall of Kunstencentrum Vrijdag in Groningen, he leads the "Open Jazz Session", with a mixture of advanced musicians and beginners. This is street football in music.

Both Bert and Rene once again provided excellent rhythmic and musical support, making good use of the space that the accordionists offered them to play solos now and then.

website: https://www.bertvanerk.nl/

Due to an emergency forced shift of the date in 2022, cause corona, Muziekhuis Da Capo was unfortunately unable to come.

But this year 2023, Da Capo was present again with a beautiful stand in the foyer of the Geert Teis theater.

Muziekhuis Da Capo is a household name for accordionists, not only in the north of the Netherlands, but throughout the Netherlands with great knowledge, skills, service and customer-friendliness.

Website: https://www.muziekhuisdacapo.nl/

  Closing.

Around 5.20 pm this wonderful musical afternoon ended with all participants on stage.

Traditionally, the song We'll meet again by Vera Lynn was used by the musicians.

Due to personal circumstances, Mary Veldkamp could not be present to sing the closing song. Jonny Kerry was willing to sing this song.

 Organisation and Presentation:
Jac & Jeanne Puts m.m.v. de Stichting Internationaal Accordeonfestival.

For the organizers it is always a great relief when everything went smoothly, because anything and everything can go wrong with such an event. In July 2017, we founded the International Accordion Festival foundation with a board consisting of 5 people, including accordion teachers Gertie Bruin and Henk Puister, and we have found Gina Verhoeven willing to act as treasurer. We hope to ensure the continuity of this unique accordion event into the future. And here's a friendly request to bring one or more people from your family and / or acquaintances for the 11th edition that takes place on Sunday, April 14, 2024 so that we can fill the room downstairs.

Thanks to all sponsors and funds and everyone who helped to make this wonderful accordion event possible.

With life and well-being, we hope to welcome you again in the Geert Teis theater on Sunday, April 14, 2024.