“I was dying to hear Dan Newton in person. He’s been my favorite guest on the Prairie Home Companion radio show for years, but the few minutes he’s allotted on the show always leaves me wanting more. Well, this show more than made up for the wait. In concert Dan is funny and charming, and he plays like a dream – and can sing, too. He’s equally at ease with American Blues, French Musette, Colombian Cumbia – and lots more — and I loved all of it.”   These are the words of Mara Cherkasky who joined us at a Dan’s house concert this past Saturday, and these words say it all. 
 
Dan Newton and his wife Elizabeth Rowan left their home in Minnesota to play 8 concerts in a 9-day tour of the east coast.  One of those concerts was held in the home of a friend of theirs in Silver Spring, Maryland, who is also a good friend of mine.  How lucky we were!  I was asked to gather up a handful of accordion friends (the house could only hold a small crowd), and we were treated to one of the most enjoyable musical events I have ever attended.
 
Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton is a self-taught musician.  One would never guess this while watching Dan flawlessly and effortlessly play delightful, skillfully executed arrangements of the music he so obviously loves. He is an entertainer. His music delights and brings the audience into his world. He describes the pieces he is going to play, sometimes by telling an amusing story, sometimes by describing the history of the song’s musical style. Dan’s wife joined him on triangle and washboard in a few pieces. Elizabeth’s excellent rhythm and terrific smile lit up the whole room.
 
For over 30 years, Dan Newton has been composing, arranging and dazzling audiences, with his accordion, all over the world.  He has produced 25 CDs, performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City, the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, music festivals in the US, Finland, Canada and Austria and is a frequent guest on Garrison Keiller’s Prairie Home Companion.  He spends most of his time playing his accordion with his group Café Accordion Orchestra, performing vintage Swing, Latin, American and French Café music. Dan also leads a number of bands including Jumbo Ya-Ya, Rockin’ Pinecones, The Daddy Squeeze Band and The Hula Peppers.
 
For more information, contact Dan at:  daddysqueeze@yahoo.com