Joe Recchia, nephew of the late Tony Dannon and President of the Michigan Accordion Society asked Detroit Area Sculptor Giuliano Zuccato who created a wonderful memorial of a man who gave many decades of his talent to the Italian community of Detroit and thousands of accordionists from all over the world. Giuliano is well known as the the creator of the Vincenzo Bellini bronze statue which is showcased in the main lobby at the Detroit Opera House.
It all started with a phone call from Dino Valle who helped to get Joe in contact with local area Sculptor Giuliano Zuccato “it was one the best phone calls I had received and I am grateful to Dino who played a big part in getting this project started.” said Joe Recchia. Giuliano who mentions he is a lover of the accordion has a generous heart and is a great ambassador for our heritage to donate his magnificent talent to help us remember a wonderful music ambassador,Tony Dannon, who made his home in the Italian community of Detroit and who passed away in April of 2011.
Mr. Recchia is now working with various accordion associations around the country such as the legendary “American Accordion Association” to turn a dream into a reality to preserve his uncle’s legacy in the accordion industry by using this great statue as a major award during accordion competitions. “It is just the right thing to do” said Joe Recchia.
In addition to the statue recognition, the Michigan Accordion Society has also started a Tony Dannon Student Scholarship Fund which will be used to help Young Musical Students keep the accordion moving forward for future generations to come. “We were very successful raising nearly $30,000 to start the scholarship fund off in a great direction.” said Joe Recchia “Besides generous donors, we had help from many great musicians in the Italian Community of Detroit as well as musicians from Ohio, Illinois, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Performers performed over 6 hours to a sold out crowd of over 370 people at the Forestree Banquet Center in Rochester Hills, MI. Performers included Eva Evola, Dino Valle, Michele Ramo, Heidi Hepler, Johnny Trudell, Billy Cario, Ashley Ault, Aaron Caruso, Lisa Agazzi, Mark Randisi, Made In Italy, Jim Rand, Chet Wisnowski, Joe Cerrito, Joe Recchia, Cristina Carollo, Cory Pesaturo, Joe Natoli, Gene Van, John Shollack, Andy Caruso, Al Battistelli, Mike Zawjsky and dozens more great musicians all of which donated their talent along with many generous sponsors and some as far away as Castelfidardo, Italy to help make this Scholarship fund very successful.
After nearly one year of planning, the Michigan Accordion Society members, musicians and sponsors along with Detroit’s Italian community should be very proud and honored for their compassion and dedication to help make this scholarship fund very successful for Tony Dannon, a man who was a highly devoted and a giving musicians in our community and beyond.
A wonderful 3 disc DVD’s of this scholarship fund raiser event has just become available and is filled with great performances from the above list of performers including the Giuliano’s statue unveiling and Scholarship award donations and much more.
All proceeds of this DVD sale will continue to be used for the Tony Dannon Student Scholarship Fund. For more event info and DVD ordering please view the website of the Michigan Accordion Society
Top Photo: Dannon Scholarship Award Thank you photo explanation:
Tony Dannon statue was presented to our main donor Mr. John Tersigini on behalf of the “Tersigini Family Foundation” as a thank you for their generous $25,000.00 donation to help kick start the Tony Dannon Student Scholarship Music Fund. Alongside Michigan Accordion Society Member and Student Scholarship fund donor and famous Tenor Mr. Aaron Caruso. Sculpting work of the Tony Dannon Statue was donated by Giuliano Zuccato.
Top Right Photo: Joe Recchia, president of the Michigan Accordion Society and nephew of the late Tony Dannon accepting the Tony Dannon statue from Giuliano Zuccato who donated his time sculpting this wonderful statue.
Lower Right Photo: Giuliano Zuccato hand sculpts a special tribute of Tony Dannon in his art studio using photographs and You Tube Video clips.
