Prior RUK Accordion Orchestra member.

I began the accordion at age 10 in Burlington. I studied at the local branch of the Arlington Academy of music and later transferred to Mr.Z’s (Frank Zygarrowski) for another 3 years. I started playing gigs early, at age 13 and continued into my 20’s. My Accordion then entered the closet.

In 2009, I had renewed interest in Accordion and started practicing. I joined the MASS Accordion Association in 2010. I took some lessons with Roberto Cassan and Alexei Tsiganov. I enjoy all kinds of acoustic accordion music. It is world music. I especially love Jazz.

Since I retired, to my wife’s dismay,I began collecting accordions. I have 5. I also started to play out once again. I belong to several groups: a duo called ‘Deja Vu’, a Bossa quintet called ‘La Bossa Nostra’ and Bob Tyler’s Jazz Octet. Most of my requests are for a strolling soloist.

My favorite accordionists are Frank Marocco (Jazz and standards), Richard Galliano (New Musette), Ludovic Beire (Django music), Crestiano Toucas (improvisation and inventiveness), Titti Castrini (for plain fun with Jazz and Pop, Toninho Ferragutti (for pure tone and Brazilian music-he has the best sound to my ears), Chano Spasiuk (Argentina- he plays an interesting music blend suited for accordion). Of course there’s Angelo DiPippo too.

I love the ‘Ruk Accordion Orchestra’ it presents a unique musical experience.