Joseph Natoli has released a new CD entitled “Waltz for Ron,” which commemorates Ron Lankford and his contributions to the accordion world. For those of you who knew Ron and have benefited from his wonderful Roland customer service and love for the accordion, Joe is reaching out to you all for a helping hand to assist the Lankford family with a donation of $20 plus $5 shipping/handling for the “Waltz For Ron” CD. Joe had previously made the solo sheet music of the title track “Waltz For Ron” available free of charge online in the Roland V-Accordion Forum.
Additionally, “Waltz for Ron” is now available in solo, duet, or accordion orchestra format and can be purchased from JANPress Publications at http://janpress.freeservers.com. Both the solo and the accordion orchestra recordings are included on the CD in addition to the other selections of music performed.
Joe, composer/arranger/performer/publisher has been a performer and advocate of the accordion since the age of seven. Joe started his studies with prominent Ohio accordion teacher, the late Mickey Bisilia of Youngstown, Ohio, and won the 1972 American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) U.S. Virtuoso Accordion Championship under Mr. Bisilia’s tutelage, while placing first runner up in the Coupe Mondiale later that same year.
Joe achieved his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto where he studied with Canadian accordionist, Joseph Macerollo.
Joe later returned to school for a Computer Science degree and an MBA degree. He has worked in the Information Technology (IT) industry for the last 26 years. However, music (especially accordion and composition) remain his lifelong passions.
In September 2008, Joseph competed and won the first Roland Corporation U.S. V-Accordion® competition and was consequently sent to Rome, Italy, in November 2008 for their 2nd International V-Accordion competition where he and wife JoAnn became fast friends with Ron Lankford. Joseph, who resides in Ohio with his family, joined the Roland Corporation U.S. team as a V-Accordion Product Specialist in early 2009.
“Waltz for Ron”was recorded using Roland equipment — the FR7 / FR7X as well as the Roland digital VS880ex hard disk recorder and the Edirol R-OH9R pocket digital recorder. It is studio quality and a testament to the wonderful products made by Roland. You can request the CD at janpresspub@yahoo.com with donations taken up to September 10, 2010. Thank you for your support.
