Immigrant Sons Dedicate All May Performances to World Accordion Day

May 1st 2021
Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor Accordion USA News

Video: Immigrant Sons Music Promo

MAS President Joe Recchia and his group, The Immigrant Sons, dedicate all their performances in May to World Accordion Day. (WAD). Did you know that the official instrument of the city of Detroit is the accordion! The accordion was patented in Vienna, Austria and they are performing several Austrian songs for the occasion. Check out next month’s USA News for a follow up story and video on Immigrant Sons events in the Detroit, Michigan and surrounding area.

Enjoy live music, food trucks, stein hoisting at the Fruhlingsfest at EMBC on Saturday May 1 and May 8, 2021. Free admissions. Eastern market brewing company in Detroit, Michigan.They also will perform at Fruhlingsfest at Ferndale Project on Sunday May 2 and May 9,2021. All events open to the public, Music starts at 1:00 PM! Liderhosen optional!

A message from the band: “Most of us are descendants of immigrants. For some of us that journey involves generations.  For others it is a more recent if not a personal experience. Regardless of the distance in time, our family traditions reflect some influence from our cultures of origin.While we are encouraged to assimilate into American culture, our homes retain the traditions and customs of our ethnic heritage.  Not through rigid enforced activities but through the ever-present music echoing through the rooms. 

There were also many boisterous and happy melodies encouraging a lust for life and laughter. Simple, yet lyrically powerful and poignant, these songs have provided a glimpse into the heart of the immigrant allowing us to experience the longing for a home left behind.  These experiences instilled within each of us, the love and appreciation for the music that remains with us today. Our band “Immigrant Sons” is a tribute to those in our families, past and present, distant and near who immigrated to the United States and to thank them for their sacrifices.”

“Immigrant Sons” Band Members:
Horn and Vocals – Stephan Lang ( Son of German Immigrants )
Guitar & Vocals – Dave Accomondo (Son of Italian Immigrants)
Drums & Vocals – Chris Gassel ( Son of German Immigrants )
Electronic Accordion, Bass & Vocals – Joe Recchia ( Son of Italian Immigrants )

Joe Recchia is an accordionist, performer, promoter, accordion technologist and President of the Michigan Accordion Society. Joe’s makes his home in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan and comes from a fantastic family legacy of fine Accordionists.  Joe has performed throughout the US, Canada & Europe and aboard the Princess Cruise Ship lines performing a wide variety of venues. 

Joe’s style is very versitile, performing Ethnic, French, German, Polish styles and specializes in Italian Music.  He also enjoys playing Jazz, Blues, Folk, Country and Rock venues with his accordion as well.Joe performs in various band’s and orchestra’s and is one of the few Accordionists in Detroit who is hired for studio work.  He also performs as a strolling accordionist at many public and private venues and also teams up with many famous Detroit area musicians  

Joe has also performed in various orchestras nationally such as the National Accordion Orchestra, The Gene Van Accordion Orchestra as well as the Joann Sommer’s Accordion Orchestra which premiered in Las Vegas and Chicago alongside “ANIMA” which is a world renowned youth choral.  Locally Joe has been a featured artist with the Warren Concert Orchestra and was able to perform and meet Famous  Conductor Johan De Meij, as well as The Simone Vitale Orchestra and several other Italian Orchestras.  Joe is the only Accordionist to perform on the House of representatives floor at the Michigan State Capitol Building and he has also appeared on several Radio and TV stations with his Accordion.

Joe has won many state and national music awards over his career for his accordion performances and was also lucky enough to meet and spend much time with many world famous accordionists such as Charles Magnante, Myron Floren, Frank Marocco, Dick Contino, Pete Barbudi, Art Van Damme, Carl Fortina, Joe Cerrito, Peter Soave, Cory Pesaturo as well as many other famous musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Ralphe Armstrong, Hubie Crawford, Johnny Trudell, Michele Ramo, The Primo Family and many others.

Joe’s accordion DNA comes from a long line of famous accordionists; for many years his grandfather was Henry Ford’s personal accordionist and music director at the Ford Mansion in Dearborn, MI and was labeled as “The Famous Accordionist of the Ford Motor Car Company”.  His uncle Tony Dannon world famous Jazz Accordionists, teacher, composer, promoter as well as one of the owners of the “Modern Accordion School” in Dearborn Michigan which was well known for the most successful accordion school in the nation. His cousin also an accordionist is baseball legend hall of famer and former Atlanta Braves Pitcher John Smoltz.

Joe currently holds the office as President of the Michigan Accordion Society. He is a dedicated ambassador and promoter for the accordion and the Michigan Accordion Society, the very same society his uncle Tony Dannon helped founded back in 1996.  Joe’s direction and leadership has resulted in earning the most coveted international accordion club “Frosini Award” which was awarded to the Michigan Accordion Society as the “Best Accordion Society in the World” at the International Accordion Convention in Las Vegas, NV.

Just as his grandfather and uncle had done, Joe continues the family legacy and has performed for many prominent people, such as Edsel and Cynthia Ford at he Ford Mansion, Former CEO of Chrysler and Ferrari Mr. Sergio Marchinonne, The Fieger Family, Dick Contino, Italian Consulate President Dr. Marco Nobili, Famous Detroit Area Automotive Sculptor Guliano Zuccato, Buddy Valestro aka “The Cake Boss” at the Palace of Auburn Hills, various sports figures and for many executives at many prestigious automotive firms such as Delphi Corporation, Fiat & Chrysler Corporation and the Ford Motor Company both in the US and in Europe.

Joe gives back to the community and has been involved with many fund raiser activities that have helped raised over $100,000.00, which have benefited organizations such as the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit Michigan, Capuchin Retreat Center in Washington Michigan and various cancer research organizations as well as Music Scholarship program for kids in his community.  Joe is also a delegate for the Santino”s Knight for Father Solanus Casey.  Joe has performed for many other organizations to help raise money for various causes while helping to keep the culture of the accordion alive in his community.  He has performed for the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Grosse Pointe Historical Society, University of Michigan Rackham Choir, Warren Concert Orkestra as well as the Michigan Accordion Society alone which raised nearly $30,000.00 for the “Tony Dannon Student Music Scholarship Fund” for more information on the “Tony Dannon Scholorship Fund” please visit: http://www.michiganaccordion.org/dannon.html

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