From the Editor Rita Barnea. Veteran American accordionist Lou DiMaggio has enjoyed a remarkable musical life extending from the golden age of the accordion to the present-day accordion-club movement in California. DiMaggio was born and raised in Pittsburg, California, into an Italian-American family in a neighbourhood where accordion music was part of everyday life. He is a cousin of legendary New York Yankees baseball star Joe DiMaggio.

Lou DiMaggio began lessons with Italian-born teacher Emilio Civita and recalled giving his first performance at about ten years of age. His talent eventually took him into competitions and to the popular Horace Heidt Youth Opportunity Program and was invited to become a permanent member of the show. His career included performing with such major entertainers as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Roy Rogers and Edgar Bergen, as well as taking part in USO shows.

Far from disappearing from accordion life after his professional entertainment career, DiMaggio remained an active and respected figure in California’s accordion community. As recently as June 2023, he was the featured performer for the Silicon Valley Accordion Society. A recent private video of his 95th birthday celebration showed Lou DiMaggio at 95 is playing remarkably well.

His career represents an important living connection with the period when the accordion enjoyed enormous popularity in American entertainment and Italian-American community life.

Article supplied by Accordionist Pamela Tom.
Lou DiMaggio (my accordion teacher) was recently inducted as an honorary member by the Pittsburg Italian-American Club and received a proclamation recognizing and commending his lifetime outstanding musical efforts and contributions to the Pittsburg and accordion communities and most importantly preserving the Italian-American cultural heritage.

Lou DiMaggio (my accordion teacher) was recently inducted as an honorary member by the Pittsburg Italian-American Club and received a proclamation recognizing and commending his lifetime outstanding musical efforts and contributions to the Pittsburg and accordion communities and most importantly preserving the Italian-American cultural heritage.

Proclamation Honoring Accordionist Lou DiMaggio
by the Pittsburg Italian-American Club est. 1928

Whereas, Lou DiMaggio:

• enlisted into the U.S. Army in service to his Country, entertaining thousands of troops and,
• owned and operated the Tonno Seafood Fish Market on 877 East 12th Street employing many Nannas & Abuelitas to make, sell and distribute the most delicious calamari around.
• has traveled the world, many times over, and always has his bags packed for a moment’s notice and,
• was recognized as Cotati Accordion Festival Honorary Director for 2026 and,
• has established himself as a Master Accordionist spanning the decades and,
• has studied under the masters, Emilio Civita and Angelo Cagnazzo and,
• has won several competitions on the Horace Heidt Show, vaulting to No. 1, earning a regular place on the show which was aired nationally, on coast to coast broadcasts by CBS and WWL and,
• has performed on many occasions to the Hollywood Stars as well as the Hollywood Elite, and,
• through his vision, with his graceful hands, has worked to preserve the musical culture of Italian Americans and has given the gift of music to people of all walks of life, throughout this country and,
• has honored his city, his family, his ancestors, his Italian-American…

Proclamation Read By Vincent S. Ferrante (PI-AC President) and Issued on This Day of September 16, 2026, in the Year of Our Lord and Witnessed by the Pittsburg Italian-American Club Membership and Guests.