Accordionist Don Gerundo and Dave Hirschman (guitar) will be guest artists at the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 7 PM at La Villini Restaurant, 288 Larkfiedl Road, East Northport, NY.
Don Gerundo is an active accordionist and pianist who performs in the New York metropolitan area. He is a versatile keyboardist who plays various styles ranging from popular American Standards from the American Songbook, Jazz and Rock N Roll. He has worked with the Bensen-Scott Big Band, an 18 piece Jazz Band, with a Rockabilly small group as well as society combos and Top 40 groups. He has performed and accompanied Lenny Welch (hit record “Since I Fell For You”), Joe Piscopo and has performed at Swing 46 in New York City, White Plains Theatre for the Arts, Coney Island Park and other large venues.
Don starting playing the accordion at age 10 and studied with Tony Mecca (a native from Waterbury CT) in his teen years. Tony introduced him to popular and Jazz music working with him on harmony, theory, chords and improvisation. During this time he started to perform club dates with some of the local leaders in the New York metropolitan area as well as working at resorts in the New York Catskill area . This “On the job” training helped hone his jazz skills as well as build his repertoire.
Later he also studied with Adolph Sandole one of the well-known Sandole brothers, was a music educator and jazz artists from Philadelphia. The Adolph’s brother, Dennis, was recognized as the mentor and teacher for famous jazz artists such as John Coltrane and Pat Martino James Moody, Michael Brecker, as well as guitarists Jim Hall and Pat Martino.
Don continued to perform during his college years attending Ithaca College where he joined the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha as the first accordionist to be offered an invitation in that chapter. For the last several years Don has focused on the Free Bass Accordion and exploring its use in the Pop and Jazz Idioms by utilizing its flexibility in chord voicings, bass lines and general accompaniment.
Don is also an experienced user of Finale (music notation software) and has used it since 1992 almost from its inception. He uses it to create arrangements, generate materials for students, create transcriptions as well as composition. Many colleagues consult with Don as a resource to seek guidance using Finale as well as troubleshooting technical issues. Don is the musical arranger for the Youth Jazz Program to be held at the 2012 AAA Festival in Baltimore, Maryland July 11-15.
Reservations are recommended.Call 631-261-6344. The LIAA August 7th meeting will feature vocalist Connie Shakalis accompanied by accordionist Dominic Karcic.
For further information: Dgerundo@verizon.net
