From Pamela Tom (accordionist) and Kenneth E. Schwartz, President of The San Francisco Accordion Club:
Northern California’s cherished accordion maestro, Lou Jacklich, passed away peacefully on World Accordion Day, May 6, 2024, after a brief illness. He would have been 96 years old in August.
Lou Jacklich, affectionately known as “Mr. Jacklich, Maestro Jacklich,” or just plain “Lou,” was an extraordinarily talented accordionist whose musical career spanned a remarkable 79 years. He remained a vibrant performer and teacher to the end! A virtuoso and innovator from a young age, he had his union card at 17 years old as a vaudeville performer. He starred with and led numerous bands, recorded as an artist for Capitol Records, founded his own accordion school (Lou Jacklich School of Music), co-owned a music publishing company (“Lou-Rich”), and was one of the first accordionists to master the new electronic accordions in 1960. A distinguished teacher, performer and contributor to the accordion community, Lou was recognized nationwide with multiple meritorious Lifetime Achievement awards:
• Lifetime Achievement Award, San Francisco Accordion Club. 2014
• Honorary Director, Cotati Accordion Festival. 2016
• Art Van Damme Education Award, Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. 2016
• Certificate of recognition honoring Lou Jacklich’s accordion achievements and leadership, California State Senator Bob Wieckowski (District 10). 2017
• Accordion American Hall of Fame, Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists, Inc. (FAMSPA). 2019
• Accordion World Hall of Fame, Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists, Inc. (FAMSPA). 2019
• $500 Student Scholarship in honor of Lou Jacklich, sponsored by San Francisco Accordion Club. 2023
• Mobile Accordion Classroom Honoree, Innovative Accordion Music Productions. 2023
Jacklich was a valued mentor, teacher, and member of the San Francisco Accordion Club. He led the Club’s jam sessions, always instructing, of course. His many wonderful performances before the club were testimony to his mastership of the instrument, and his duets with his students were riveting!
The Maestro performed at accordion clubs throughout California. One of his last recorded performances was January 2023 at the Silicon Valley Accordion Society where he was a frequent invited guest artist. His performances were based on his own arrangements often with a jazz interpretation. Ernie Felice inspired Jacklich’s jazz style. His YouTube site includes a wider range of his artistic arrangements.
Mr. Jacklich’s extended family included over 1400 former students. Teaching was the joy of his life! In fact, his last formal teaching lesson was 3 weeks before he passed.
Details of Lou Jacklich’s career and audio samples of his innovative style on the electronic accordion are on the MusicForAccordion web site at Lou Jacklich.
Lou touched so many lives during his time with us. He will be deeply missed. May you rest in peace, Lou Jacklich!
Photo credit: Colette Ogata
