The Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) sponsored by La Villini Restaurant presents an evening of accordion music with featured guest artist, Charlie Fontana, on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 7 PM.
Charlie Fontana was born and raised in the Kings Park and Commack area of Smithtown, New York. His father, Celestino, was born in Genoa, Italy and as an infant his family moved to Turin (Torino) where he was raised. His dad came to New York in the late 1920’s. His mother, Mary (Cavagnaro), was born in Chester, New York of Italian immigrant parents who were also from Genoa, Italy.
Music played a very important part in the Fontana family. Charlie’s dad played the guitar and his uncle played the mandolin and guitar often playing and singing together. Charlie has vivid childhood memories of special family functions where his grandparents would often hire an accordionist that would play songs of northern Italy. Some of his grand parents’ favorites included songs like “Il Sirio,” “Quel Mazzolin Di Fiore” and “Mariannina.” He also recalls that the old 78 recordings of the Valtaro Musette Orchestra were a very prominent feature of their daily environment and musical life. One of his favorites was the recording of “True Love Waltz” (Tutti Mi Chiamano Bionda) and the other side had “The Real McCoy Polka.” r
Charlie began taking weekly accordion lessons at the age of nine (1951) from Elver Olson a teacher in the local Commack Elementary School. Accordion lessons were $2.00. Other accordion studies included lessons at the Gatto School in Huntington Station (NY) where he participated in many recitals and also performances at local hospital and school auditoriums. These very special events offered him great opportunities and experience in playing in public.
His last teacher was Larry Cennamo of Commack, New York who also immersed Charlie in studies of solfeggio, classical music, harmony and theory. Much time was spent on the study of standards and block chord styling.
He entered the club date scene by the age of sixteen playing at catering halls all over Long Island, many night clubs and also private parties and weddings. He eventually ran an ornamental concrete business in Commack from 1962 to 2007 called “Fontana Garden Ornaments.” He retired in 2007 from the concrete business giving himself time for accordion playing and further studies on improving his musical skills Charlie is one of the original members of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) which recently celebrated its second anniversary in August 2012.
La Villini Restaurant is located on 288 Larkfield Road, East Northport. For reservations and information: 631-261-6344.
