The organizers had made a nice program with accordionists from the Netherlands and abroad with a wide variety of styles. It was again held in the theater Geert Teis in Stadskanaal (The Netherlands). The program was from13.30-17.00 hour with 1 pause of 30 minutes. Below you will find some photo's made by Henk van Nijkerk.

Rik Cornelissen (The Netherlands).
Rik studied classical music at the Rotterdam Conservatoire Codarts and jazzpop at the Arnhem Conservatory Artez. Through his studies Classical music, Argentinian tango and jazz, he manages to put down the accordion as a modern and versatile instrument. Rik is active as accordionist, band leader, composer, arranger, teacher, programmer and founder of Jazz Tour aan de Maas. His performance was marked by a tribute to the French accordionist Richard Galliano, with songs like Laurita, Tea for Toots, Ballade pour Marion. He also played compositions from Astor Piazzolla (Oblivion, Libertango) and a composition of Michelle Legrand (You must believe in spring). Website: http://rikcornelissen.com/

 Egle Bartkeviciute (lithuania).
A pleasant surprise from Lithuania was the 23-year young charming Egle Bartkeviciute. She started with a beautiful arrangement of Vivaldi's “Winter” from Four Seasons. She continued with beautiful performances of music by Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff and the Russian accordionist Viacheslav Semionov. In the second set after the break she played light variété music with songs like “A Frech touch” from R. Galliano and “It do not mean a thing” from D. Ellington. Surprisingly nice was her arrangement of Piazzolla's Oblivion and J. Brell's “Ne me quitte pas” in which she used her beautiful voice.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eglutacco

Duo Heesbeen (The Netherlands).
Duo Heesbeen, consisting of Henk Heesbeen (accordion) and his son Co (drums) are specialized in the more light popular music with songs like Kriminal Tango, Pierement wals, Oh Amsterdan, Diep in mijn hart, Paris Musette, Godfather, All of me. The duo can also be virtuoso, which was showed in the fine accordion performance of "Sweet Georgia Brown" and the drum solos by Co.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duoheesbeenhenk.heesbeen

 Matthias Matzke (Germany).
Matthias studied accordion at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen (Germany). A versatile musician who manages to play classical music, entertainment music but also electronic music in a professional manner. In his first set he played three self-composed compositions not known to the public, but pleasant to listen to and he finished with beautiful performance of Verdi's Carmen Fantasy, arranged by German accordionist Würthner. He played on a Hohner Gola. Only the last peace in his 2nd set, El Dorado by Thomas Bergersen, he played on his Bugari Evo.
Website: https://www.matthias-matzke.de

Bram Middendorp (NL)
Every year we try to invite one or more young Dutch accordion players.

For the first time in Stadskanaal Bram Middendorp was allowed into the program before the break the ball rolling. He played in a beautiful way the well-known French musette waltz, Indifférence.

Jan Timmer (NL)
Jan Timmer was already often hear during the International Accordion Festival in Stadskanaal.

This time with two songs. Before the break he played Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dance. After the break he played in a beautiful way, a Russian Potpourri.

Bert van Erk.
Bert studied classical guitar at the Conservatory in Amsterdam. After being switched to the double bass, he played with several artists, including the well-known Dutch accordionist Harry Mooten. He now plays among others in the Drie Sterren Trio with Gertie Bruin (accordion) and Don Hofstee (acoustic guitar/violin). Both Bert and Rene made a superb rhythmic and musical support, which they did make good use of the space that the accordionists offered them occasionally soloing.
website: https://www.bertvanerk.nl/

Very nice that Muziekhuis Da Capo from Nietap again was present with a large stand in the foyer of the theater. Music Meijer Benelux was present this year with its own stand with a beautiful formal presentation of HOHNER accordions. Pieter Bosma from Muziekhuis Da Capo once again provided information and demonstrations of Bugari Evo.

Organisation and Presentation:
Jac & Jeanne Puts together with Stichting Internationaal Accordeonfestival.
For the organizers, it is always a relief when everything goes flawless, because there can, of course, all sorts of things wrong with running such an event. We were very lucky this year, beacause 4 days after the festival every event with more than 100 audience was forbidden in the Netherlands because of the corona virus.

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

In life and health we hope to welcome you again in the Geert Teis Theater on Sunday, March 14th, 2021.