It’s already Thursday here. I can’t believe how fast time flies when I’m up at KIOTAC in Kimberley, BC. All week, my band has been backing up musicians from all over the world on the town platzl and really working hard (and having fun while at it…) I thoroughly enjoyed my Monday out there with them, despite the rain that shut us down for an hour… There is such a wide spectrum of players and spectators that make it so much fun…. While the boys are there—I’m in the arena adjudicating the accordion competitions. Young and old really come together for the love of accordion music up here. A truly amazing and inspiring sight.

I’ve greatly enjoyed concerts by my friends Gary Blair Sr and Jr, as well as dance performances by the Softones and my buddy Rob Brabic—(I know it’s Brabec, but when we both pronounce our names correctly life as we know it will completely go upside down!)
Last night though really kicked in for me…. Patricia Bartell opened the concert—borrowing Matt Zebroski from my band for hers…. She sounded wonderful as always and really got the crowd involved… Our band then jumped up and had a great concert. The audience really enjoyed the variety of selections featuring the piano accordion and button accordion, as well as all of the features by Matt Tolentino on his instruments and Mike Fortunato on clarinet and sax… We even gave Zebar a drum solo! We then were treated to a special performance by Cory Pesaturo from Rhode Island… a brilliant jazz accordionist and rocked a finale with him soloing with our band… an unexpected foray into our jazz repertoire—including dusting off my bebop trumpet chops for a few tunes… Good times!!

The crowd responded very well all around…. We’ve been getting a great response to the new cd, “Stay All Night” and it will be available online very soon….

Hope to see y’all down the road soon…
alex