Austin Kawa is the Happy Hans Winner 2009 at the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championship Festival which was held in July. He won $1500.

International Old Time Accordion Champion, Austin Kawa’s style reflects that of Grammy winners Frankie Yankovic and Walter Ostanek. Austin captivates his audience with an invigorating stage performance.
An excellent instrumentalist and vocalist, Austin can keep his audience enthralled with a dynamic and delightful approach.

Raised in Edmonton, Alberta with the music of Frankie ringing in his ears, Austin knew what direction to pursue. His musical passion leans toward the older classics from the thirties to the fifties. Along with the old accordion classics, Austin includes a wide variety of contemporary music in his show.

Austin has won many local and international awards including the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Festivals. It was during one of these festivals that he participated in a mass accordion band, setting a new Guinness World Record.

Austin was the winner of the Happy Hans Open Competition in 2005 at the age of 15 and repeated his win in 2006. Austin’s talent as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist is not his only gift. He has produced and recorded all three of his own CDs: “Almost Frankie,” “Laying on the Tunes,” and “For the Girl Next Door.”

Austin is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local #390 and the Performing Arts Society SOCAN. He will participate in the Edmonton Accordion Extravaganza from Sept. 25-27, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta. The Accordion Extravaganza 2009 is a competition in a number of categories hosted by the Edmonton Accordion Society.

For more info: sptinc@telusplanet.net