Tony Dannon passed away on the 12th April 2011 evening. Tony Dannon was at his nephew’s house where he has been living and its reported that he went very peacefully but unexpectedly! Everyone is very saddened by his passing. A great legend!
Tony Dannon will be laid out at:
Bagnasco-Calcaterra Funeral Home
15 Mile & Schoenherr
Sterling Hts, Michigan
Friday April 15-16, 2011
The Holy Funeral Mass will be on Sunday April 17, 10 am at St Paul Tarsus in Clinton Twp, Michigan. The funeral will be on Monday April 17, 10am at St Paul Tarsus Church.
Aaron Caruso will handle the musical service.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Tony Dannon’s nephew, Joe Recchia, Email:
jrecchia@comcast.net
—————————
Tony Dannon as described on his website approx. 4 years ago.
Tony Dannon began teaching in the early 1950s and opened a studio on the East Side of Detroit. Later he moved to Dearborn and joined forces with Ollie Petrini.
Tony and Ollie built up the “Modern Accordion Studio” school to 1,000 students a week winning numerous important awards, which remained active until 1982.
Tony began clubdating in and around Detroit and did some TV spots with Soupy Sales, Michigan Barn Dance, Tom Tom matinee as well as radio. Shortly thereafter he went to New York, made some recordings with his wife Lillian and her sisters”The DeMara Sisters” and with Tony Matolla.
He played in Carnegie Hall which he considers the highlight of his career. Acclaimed as a jazz performer, Tony also wrote two books with Art Van Damme and others that were published by Deiro, now available from Deffner Music Publications.
—————————
On the 5th September 1997 it was reported on the accordions.com Weekly News:
MICHIGAN ACCORDION SOCIETY TO HONOUR TONY DANNON – USA
Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists’ Association
Jazz accordionist and all-time great musician and teacher Tony Dannon is being honoured by the Michigan Accordion Society on Sunday, October 5th at a Tribute Dinner in Warren, Michigan. Society President Steve Stolarik said “We want to honour Tony for his monumental accordion accomplishments.
Members of the accordion community are welcome to join us at this wonderful event.” The celebration in Dannon’s honour will include dinner and an accordion show, priced at US$25 at the Arriva Restorante, Twelve Mile Road, between Mound and Van Dyke.
Due to Dannon’s great popularity, the event promises to be a sellout and advance ticket purchases are recommended. For information, telephone: + 1 248-853 1500 and ask about the Tony Dannon Tribute Dinner and Show.
—————————
On the 10 October 1997 it was reported on the accordions.com Weekly News:
TRIBUTE TO JAZZ GREAT TONY DANNON – USA
Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists’ Association
In tribute to musician, educator, composer Tony Dannon, the Michigan Accordion Society organized a delightful dinner-show in Rochester, Michigan on October 5th. Nearly 500 accordion enthusiasts and Dannon admirers assembled to laud the noted jazz accordionist. In his years as co-director of the Modern Accordion Studio with Ollie Petrini, Dannon managed to turn the state into an accordion mecca, producing hundreds of superb players and contest winners. Tribute performers included accordionists Art Van Damme, Peter Soave, Joe Cerrito, Ray Battani, John Schollak, Lana Gore and Mady Dessimoulie.
Performers were backed by Dan Maslanka on drums and Ralph Armstrong on bass. The event was orchestrated by MAS President Steve Stolaruk and his hard-working board of directors.
A Papal proclamation blessing Dannon was received from the Vatican. American Accordionists’ Association President Faithe Deffner presented a tribute plaque, as did the Accordion Teachers Associations of Massachusetts and Rhode Island where Dannon frequently performed and judged at festivals.
Congratulatory messages arrived from admirers throughout the US and there were speeches by former students, colleagues and family.
—————————
A link to the Michigan Accordion website photo gallery for pictures of the above reported event.
http://photos.michiganaccordion.org/GalleryThumbnails.aspx?gallery=269891
These pictures bring back many fond memories of a wonderful night of music and fellowship. I was working with Faithe Deffner in New York at the time and flew with her to this event. Seated with so many important and talented accordionists who were there to honor all that Tony Dannon had done with the accordion, was a great testament to the respect that Tony Dannon had earned in the music field during his illustrious career. I was honored to be a part of this special evening and also enjoy the amazing music. Super memories. RIP Tony Dannon. Harley Jones, founder, Accordions Worldwide.
—————————
CD Review is online
http://www.accordions.com/reviews/cd_04_01_23.aspx
