When we read stories about young and talented musicians we marvel at their abilities and potential. Reading the following article about 88 year old accordionist and composer Connie Mantini, you will not only be inspired but also feel great respect and awe for a person who realized his potential and continues today to achieve and attain new heights in musical accomplishments.
Connie Mantini has been playing his accordion since he was eight years old. His first accordion, a little button box, which his father purchased for him cost $15.00 at that time, With lessons and continued interest in learning to play the accordion, Connie progressed to the 120 bass and played for high school functions and local benefits. At the age of 13, he won first prize in a Pennsylvania amateur show.
As a member of special services while in training during World War II, Connie entertained troops while in this country and in Europe and while crossing the Atlantic back and forth in a Liberty Ship. Connie was a featured accordionist in company USO shows. From 1950 to 1985, Connie and his brother, and 4 other musicians formed their own combo playing for local parties and events.
Connie always loved his accordion and loves to perform for others. “When I grew up in a coal town, there was an accordion player on every block! At that time the accordion was very popular.” The local miners included Italiens, Lithuanians, Slovakians, Slovenians and the accordion was their favorite instrument.”
“I like to make people happy. If they enjoy the music, it gives me a thrill. If they get bored, then I get bored.” Connie never gets bored!
“I must have been eight years old when I saw this little button box accordion in the window o f a pawn hope in my hometown of Mahnoy City, Pennsylvania. I cam home and told my mom about it and she told my dad when he came home from work at the coal mine. He took me to town and I showed it to him in the window. We went inside. The pawn shp owner wanted $15 for it, but it had been scorched in a fire. My dad talked him onto selling ti to us for $7. It had two buttons o the left side and about 20 on the right side.”
“I bought it home and started playing things by ear, simple melodies that were popular at the time.” Noticing his son’s great enthusiasm, his dad bough an 80 bass accordion and he took lessons from Philip Marzullo. A few years later he switched to the 120 bass. He and his brother, Johnnie, who played the guitar began to play at dances and minstrel shows. A promotor took them to baseball games in the 1930’s and they would perform with a violinist, performing at beer gardens and park picnics.
While growing up, Connie worked in the family grocery business. In 1945, he entered the military. “I had no idea my accordion skills would figure in my military duties. While training at Camp Fannin, I had some spare time during the weekends. I wanted to start playing again so I got my family to ship my accordion to me. We were an infantry company and I was playing in the barracks and a Special Services officer heard me and said, “You are very good with that accordion” . Connie was invited to join the Special Services. The officer said, “All you will have to do is play the accordion for special musical functions, including being a solo accordionist at the locl company shows and parties. You will get exempted from things like KP.” Connie accepted.
Mantini formed a 6 piece orchestra and performed at the USO, playing every weekend at the Army base. “I played in each show. When we shipped overseas, I was able to check out an accordion. On that troop transport ship, I was the only one of 3,000 GI’s who could play the accordion and I played for them. During the voyage I was able to pick up a half dozen very good musicians and we entertained the troops and ourselves.
Connie was in Germany for a year where he formed a trip playing for the troops doing occupation duty. After serving in the army for two years, he played accordion on a liberty ship returning to the USA.
Back home in West Viginia, the brothers formed their own orchestra, including Connie on accordion, Johnnie on bass guitar and singing, Ralph Bennet on guitar, Richard Akerson on drums and Gino Barzanti on the saxophone and clarinet. All arrangements were done by Connie. When his parents died, Connie continued the business. In 1955, he married Betty Claudio of Star City. Although very busy, he always found time to practice.
Connie is also an accomplished composer. He was invited by Chip Buck, the band director at Westwood Middle school to write an arrangement of his original composition, “Marching Lively” for the 100 piece school band.
“Mr. Buck gave me the honor of directing my composition during the 2003 spring concert. This was the first time I ever directed a marching band.” He also had the opportunity to perform on the Metronews Statewide Sports Line radio show. His favorite accordionists included Phil Marzullo, Charles Magnante, Arite Dunn, Myron Floren and Dick Contino.
Connie feels that the effort and energy expended in playing the 120 accordion keeps you in very good shape. “It gives you a good upper-body workout. It moves the blood around!”. Connie credits the accordion for keeping him renewing his strenghth and health after having undergone heart surgery.
Connie and his wife are retired and still live in the apartment above the store. You can hear him practicing his accordion when the windows are open. We wish him many more happy years of playing his accordion and bringing musical happiness to others. He says, ” Thank God for the people who continue to love the accordion.”
According to his good friend, accordionist Tip Ciotti, “Connie Mantini is a treasure of the American accordion community whose story is inspirational.” . It is important for everyone to know how wonderful it is to learn music and that it can be a life long source of enjoyment no matter what one’s level of playing.
Photos by Melissa Chesanko: Mchesanko@gmail.com
For further information: ceciotti@cox.net
