Video of Carmelo Pino performing his arrangement of “Gershwiniana”.

Dr. Carmelo Pino, former AAA President, honored concert accordionist, composer, teacher, passed away on the June 20, 2013 after months of serious illness.

Dr Carmelo Pino was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago. AAA President Linda Soley Reed expressed: “To see a vibrant man like Carmelo reduced to living in a care facility, dependent on others for his day-to-day care, is heartbreaking. I miss the man who was Carmelo Pino, friend, artist, teacher, composer.”

You may read a detailed and fascinating article by Joan Grauman, AAA Historian, about his many achievements online at: Carmelo Pino.

Linda Reed said, “AAA Past President, Dr. Carmelo Pino, was a gentleman and a scholar. He was an accordionist of charismatic virtuosity who had also distinguished himself as an innovative composer. A member of the AAA since the mid-50s, Carmelo was a member of the governing board, served as vice president for several terms and president from 2001 to 2004. In addition, he was program and competition chairperson, MC, adjudicator and featured performer at numerous AAA events. Together with the late Maddalena Belfiore, Carmelo chaired the 1976 Coupe Mondiale held in Washington, DC.

Featured articles on both Carmen Carrozza and Carmelo Pino will be included in the AAA’s 75th Anniversary Journal supplement which will be distributed at their Festival in New York City in August.”

The accordion world and The American Accordionists’ Association mourns the loss of two great accordionists who were also past presidents of the AAA, Carmen Carrozza and Dr. Carmelo Pino.

Photo of Carmen and Carmelo, taken at the AAA Tribute to Charles Nunzio, November, 2004 (photo credit: Lou Coppola). 

Their numerous music accomplishments will continue t