http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/category/classical Upcoming Classical events from the Let's Polka calendar en-us Jelena Milojevic is one of the foremost female classical accordion performers of today. Her performances have been acclaimed as "an explosion of cosmic sensuality" and she has been praised for her "brilliant virtuosity". She had the privilege to be a student at two famous accordion centers, Music Academies in Pula (Croatia) and Kragujevac (Serbia). During her studies she had intensive collaboration with some of the world's leading accordionists, such as A. Skliarov, Y. Shishkin, P. Soave, J. Crabb, D. Modrusan, O. Murray, M. Vayrynen, R. Tomic. Jelena Milojevic is a versatile musician with extensive performing history, both as a soloist and chamber musician, in Canada, USA and Europe. Her appearances include highly recognized venues, such as Vancouver (Christ Church Cathedral, Ubc Recital Hall), New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall), Pula, Croatia (Arena), Belgrade, Serbia (Kolarac Hall). Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has won numerous international accordion competitions one of her greatest successes being named a winner of one of the largest international competitions for accordion artists, World Trophy 2003, in Italy. In 2007, Jelena moved to the West Coast of Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD "The Art of Accordion" will be released this fall, followed by a Canadian tour. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:50:33 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/04/jelena-milojevic http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/04/jelena-milojevic Jelena Milojevic is one of the foremost female classical accordion performers of today. Her performances have been acclaimed as "an explosion of cosmic sensuality" and she has been praised for her "brilliant virtuosity". She had the privilege to be a student at two famous accordion centers, Music Academies in Pula (Croatia) and Kragujevac (Serbia). During her studies she had intensive collaboration with some of the world's leading accordionists, such as A. Skliarov, Y. Shishkin, P. Soave, J. Crabb, D. Modrusan, O. Murray, M. Vayrynen, R. Tomic. Jelena Milojevic is a versatile musician with extensive performing history, both as a soloist and chamber musician, in Canada, USA and Europe. Her appearances include highly recognized venues, such as Vancouver (Christ Church Cathedral, Ubc Recital Hall), New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall), Pula, Croatia (Arena), Belgrade, Serbia (Kolarac Hall). Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has won numerous international accordion competitions one of her greatest successes being named a winner of one of the largest international competitions for accordion artists, World Trophy 2003, in Italy. In 2007, Jelena moved to the West Coast of Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD "The Art of Accordion" will be released this fall, followed by a Canadian tour. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:50:05 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/03/jelena-milojevic http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/03/jelena-milojevic Jelena Milojevic is one of the foremost female classical accordion performers of today. Her performances have been acclaimed as "an explosion of cosmic sensuality" and she has been praised for her "brilliant virtuosity". She had the privilege to be a student at two famous accordion centers, Music Academies in Pula (Croatia) and Kragujevac (Serbia). During her studies she had intensive collaboration with some of the world's leading accordionists, such as A. Skliarov, Y. Shishkin, P. Soave, J. Crabb, D. Modrusan, O. Murray, M. Vayrynen, R. Tomic. Jelena Milojevic is a versatile musician with extensive performing history, both as a soloist and chamber musician, in Canada, USA and Europe. Her appearances include highly recognized venues, such as Vancouver (Christ Church Cathedral, Ubc Recital Hall), New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall), Pula, Croatia (Arena), Belgrade, Serbia (Kolarac Hall). Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has won numerous international accordion competitions one of her greatest successes being named a winner of one of the largest international competitions for accordion artists, World Trophy 2003, in Italy. In 2007, Jelena moved to the West Coast of Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD "The Art of Accordion" will be released this fall, followed by a Canadian tour. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:49:15 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/31/jelena-milojevic http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/31/jelena-milojevic Jelena Milojevic is one of the foremost female classical accordion performers of today. Her performances have been acclaimed as "an explosion of cosmic sensuality" and she has been praised for her "brilliant virtuosity". She had the privilege to be a student at two famous accordion centers, Music Academies in Pula (Croatia) and Kragujevac (Serbia). During her studies she had intensive collaboration with some of the world's leading accordionists, such as A. Skliarov, Y. Shishkin, P. Soave, J. Crabb, D. Modrusan, O. Murray, M. Vayrynen, R. Tomic. Jelena Milojevic is a versatile musician with extensive performing history, both as a soloist and chamber musician, in Canada, USA and Europe. Her appearances include highly recognized venues, such as Vancouver (Christ Church Cathedral, Ubc Recital Hall), New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall), Pula, Croatia (Arena), Belgrade, Serbia (Kolarac Hall). Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has won numerous international accordion competitions one of her greatest successes being named a winner of one of the largest international competitions for accordion artists, World Trophy 2003, in Italy. In 2007, Jelena moved to the West Coast of Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD "The Art of Accordion" will be released this fall, followed by a Canadian tour. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:48:41 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/30/jelena-milojevic http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/30/jelena-milojevic Henry Doktorski is one of the leading concert accordionists in the United States and a recognized figure in international classical accordion circles. He was the first-place winner in the American Accordion Musicological Society Virtuoso Solo Competition (1990: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) and since then has delighted hundreds of thousands with his tasteful and sophisticated musical interpretations, including performances on accordion with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, the New Philharmonic Orchestra (Glen Ellyn, Illinois), the Northwest Indiana Symphony (Merrillville, Indiana), the Loudoun County Symphony (Leesburg, Virginia), the Butler County Symphony (Pennsylvania), the Wartburg Community Symphony (Waverly, Iowa), the McKeesport Symphony (Pennsylvania), the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, the Duquesne University Contemporary Ensemble, the River City Brass Band (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, in addition to radio and television appearances. Besides classical music, Mr. Doktorski is equally adept at popular and international music as well, and performs for private parties, receptions and special events such as Oktoberfest celebrations. His extensive repertoire ranges from Bach, Brahms and Piazzolla to Gershwin, Mancini and tunes from hit Broadway musicals and Hollywood movies like The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and Titanic. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:14:35 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/23/henry-doktorski http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/23/henry-doktorski The Northwest Accordion Society presents their annual Day of the Accordion from 11am to 5pm at the Seattle Center. In addition to nonstop accordion music and dancing, there will be workshops, seminars, and free lessons. Performances by beginners and professionals alike. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:56:28 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/28/day-of-the-accordion http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/28/day-of-the-accordion Join us for the 4th Annual Frank Marocco Accordion Event Orchestra Concert. Over 50 accordionists from the US, Canada, and Europe will perform a variety of music arranged especially for the accordion. The orchestra will be conducted by renowned accordionist, Frank Marocco, who is the Music Director of the Frank Marocco Event, which is held every January in Mesa, Arizona. Admission is $5. For additional information contact Dan at 1-301-806-5999. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:12:06 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/17/frank-marocco-accordion-event-orchestra http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/01/17/frank-marocco-accordion-event-orchestra Join us for a special concert with 2009 Coupe Mondiale champion, Grayson Masefield. Grayson Masefield was born in Auckland, New Zealand on the 10th September 1987 to accordion playing parents Ian and Heather Masefield. His musical career began at 3 years of age with Fay Schaw, then developed into the entertainment field with Maurice Jones. He played in the North Shore Accordion Orchestras, starting in the Novices, progressing to the NSAO. Grayson began classical training at Auckland University with Stephanie Poole. Grayson went to France for seminars and tuition with Frédéric Deschamps in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Additionally, Grayson has been invited to perform in several European countries during 2007, 2008 & 2009. France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal and 2009, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, USA and Portugal, China, New Zealand, Finland. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:10:01 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/05/01/grayson-masefield http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/05/01/grayson-masefield Concert Accordionist, Mary Tokarski will be the featured soloist with the Prince George’s Philharmonic Orchestra at 8:00 PM on February 13, 2010 at the Queen Anne Auditorium at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland – Charles Ellis, Conducting. Mary will perform “Aconcagua: Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra” by Astor Piazzolla. The work, commissioned for a 1979 radio broadcast, resembles a baroque concerto grosso. The “tango neuvo” Piazzolla championed during his lifetime is hinted throughout, especially in the slow movement. The finale, a rhythmic Presto, contains a breathtaking melody, and progresses to a powerful, emotional closing. Performing both nationally and internationally as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestra, and in a duo known as “Buttons & Keys”( with Bulgarian pianist Dessie Vaughan), this year Mary has traveled to China to perform with the Mantovani Orchestra, to New Zealand with the Auckland Symphony, and to Arizona, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Tennessee, Minnesota, California and Nevada. As a workshop presenter, Mary is sought-out by numerous associations for presentations on all aspects of music, performance, and Master Classes. In February of 2011, Mary will appear with the Hamden Symphony Orchestra in Hamden, Connecticut performing Gary Daverne’s “Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra”. For 20 years Mary served as Director of Music Education at Tokarski Music Center in North Haven, Connecticut, where she taught piano and accordion, as well as conducted the choral & ensemble programs, and supervised the pre-school programs. Mary currently teaches piano and accordion at her home in Northford, Connecticut. She also served for many years as a Music Educator in the North Haven Department of Education's Early Childhood Development Program at Green Acres Elementary School, is currently 2nd Vice President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) as well as on the Board of Directors with both The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) and the ATG which are the two national member organizations of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes, (IMC-UNESCO). Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:08:27 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/20/mary-tokarski http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/20/mary-tokarski The National Accordion Association will be holding its annual convention March 10-14, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. Workshops, Seminars, Orchestras, Bands, Jam Sessions, Dealers, Swap Meet all on one floor! 25% more convention space. Saturday Evening Premium Banquet. Thursday, March 11, 2010: “Galla-Rini Appreciation Day”; Friday and Saturday will be jam-packed with activities. Every evening ends with public events Cost? Still the best in the business! Convention Fee: $189 per conventioneer Hotel Rates: $99 per night – double occupancy – with breakfast! Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:34:07 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/10/2009-national-accordion-association-convention http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/10/2009-national-accordion-association-convention Jelena Milojevic is one of the foremost female classical accordion performers of today. Her performances have been acclaimed as "an explosion of cosmic sensuality" and she has been praised for her "brilliant virtuosity". She had the privilege to be a student at two famous accordion centers, Music Academies in Pula (Croatia) and Kragujevac (Serbia). During her studies she had intensive collaboration with some of the world's leading accordionists, such as A. Skliarov, Y. Shishkin, P. Soave, J. Crabb, D. Modrusan, O. Murray, M. Vayrynen, R. Tomic. Jelena Milojevic is a versatile musician with extensive performing history, both as a soloist and chamber musician, in Canada, USA and Europe. Her appearances include highly recognized venues, such as Vancouver (Christ Church Cathedral, Ubc Recital Hall), New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall), Pula, Croatia (Arena), Belgrade, Serbia (Kolarac Hall). Her New York debut was the first classical accordion solo-recital in the last thirty years, in Carnegie Hall. She has won numerous international accordion competitions one of her greatest successes being named a winner of one of the largest international competitions for accordion artists, World Trophy 2003, in Italy. In 2007, Jelena moved to the West Coast of Canada, where she is promoting and establishing classical accordion as a performer as well as a teacher. She is currently teaching at Vancouver Community College and her CD "The Art of Accordion" will be released this fall, followed by a Canadian tour. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:48:00 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/27/jelena-milojevic http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/27/jelena-milojevic This site-specific, live music and dance performance, held in conjunction with openhousenewyork, guides audience members through historic Green-Wood Cemetery’s rolling hills, highlighting its unparalleled collection of sculpture and monuments. This unique event, choreographed by Martha Bowers of Dance Theatre Etcetera, features a cast of 30 dancers, original music by Guy Klucevsek and Bob Goldberg (played live by a band of accordionists), singing, and a visual installation inside the Catacombs designed by photographer Alexander Heilner. Several tombs will be open to the public. A not-to-be-missed encounter with one of Brooklyn’s great historic treasures! Two Performances: 12 noon & 3:30pm Don’t miss this unique performance! Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:42:33 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/10/angels-and-accordions http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/10/angels-and-accordions Alexander Poeluev was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on January 12, 1981. He began his music studies at the age of six at the music studio of A. S. Shachnev. From 1991 to 1996, Alexander was enrolled in the Tchaikovsky Music School in the Class of Selected Members of the All-Russia Musical Society of I. N. Pilipenko. In 1996 he entered the Rostov State College of Arts, qualifying for the special class of S. S. Galkin for Outstanding Russian Artists. After completing one year of studies, he continued his education at the A. Shnitke Music College in Moscow in the distinguished class of Russia's National Artists, and went on to win several international competitions under the tutelage of noted educator, composer and accordion virtuoso, professor Viatcheslav A. Semionov. In 1997, Alexander became the double winner of the All-Russia competition for accordion players in Belgorod (Russia) and in 2002 at the "Coupe Mondiale" International Competition, in Copenhagen (Denmark), he won in two top categories: SENIOR COUPE MONDIALE and COUPE MONDIALE INTERNATIONAL PIANO ACCORDION category. In 2005 he became the laureate of the Stolaruk International Entertainment Competition sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association which was held in Detroit, Michigan. In 2006 Alexander was awarded first place in the first international competition held in Shanghai (China). Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:36:14 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/27/alexander-poeluev http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/27/alexander-poeluev The Florida and Southeast Accordion Associations are proud to present their 9th annual SMASH!, with an all-start lineup of performers including: Murl Allen Sanders Murl is an independent, modern accordionist, pianist, composer, teacher and recording artist who plays pop, rock, zydeco, country, jazz, blues and various ethnic styles on piano and accordion. He has worked with such diverse national and international artists as: Chuck Berry, Etta James, Merrilee Rush, Theodore Bikel, Peter Duchin, Leslie Gore, The Von Trapp Children, Lee Oskar, OhNo, Underground Resistance, Leroy Bell, Clare Fischer, Todd Simon, and composer David Matthews. Cory Pesaturo A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was the first to major in accordion. At age 21, Cory's extensive resume includes 4 performances for President & Mrs. Clinton! Alex Meixner Grammy-nominated musician & producer to perform on both instruments! Alex Meixner’s performing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 40 recordings, Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences. Tony Lovello “Living Legend of the Accordion” to perform - watch him WOW the crowd, and don’t forget to bring your seatbelt! In addition to his performance, we are "roasting" Tony this year. Come out and witness THE LOVELLO ROAST. Tony is also doing us the honor of CONDUCTING THE ACCORDION ORCHESTRA, in which all attendees are welcome to participate! Walter Kasprzyk Two-time Connecticut state championship winner, and part of the world-famous K Trio, to perform at the SMASH. We understand he's got a surprise in store for Tony Lovello! Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:58:58 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/9th-annual-florida-accordion-smash http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/9th-annual-florida-accordion-smash Join the New Hampshire Accordion Association for a special concert featuring international accordion champion Cory Pesaturo. Cory Pesaturo is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, where he was the first musician ever to major and graduate in the accordion. Accordion Legend Dick Contino said, “Of all the accordionists I’ve seen over the years, Cory is the one to pass the torch to, the only one who has all the tools to bring the accordion back to its former glory.” Pesaturo's extensive resumé includes appearances at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton on 4 different occasions, along with 6 Other appearances for Mr. and Mrs. Clinton. On one of those occasions, he became the youngest person ever to perform at a State Dinner. He is also featured in Mrs. Clinton’s book “An Invitation to the White House”. At 11, Pesaturo opened at the former Warwick Musical Theater for the ill Myron Floren. He has also opened at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, the Waterfires in Providence, and as a guest star at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT. For nine consecutive years he has performed at the Sergio Franchi Memorial Concert in North Stonington, CT. Other past concerts include Festa Italiana in Milwaukee, numerous appearances with crossover Tenor Aaron Caruso, and Duo performances with World Champion Accordionist Mario Tacca. In July 2002, Cory became the youngest ever National Accordion Champion and went on to Copenhagen, Denmark for the Coupe Mondiale World Competition. A win in a concerto competition at the New England Conservatory of Music gave Pesaturo the rare opportunity to perform at the 2003 Christmas Pops Concert with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist, where he became the youngest accordionist to ever solo with a symphony orchestra. Cory is known as a sort of rebel with the main United States "accordion world" much like Dick Contino was in his early days, and is outspoken with his dislike for the way it runs itself, and also how they teach the instrument in a manner that he says heavily discounts musicality and theory and is further hurting the accordion image. Although because the overall accordion world is so small, he feels everyone must stick together to further the revival of the instrument, even if there are large differences in opinion on the inside issues. Concerning his Jazz side, Pesaturo has recently recorded two CD’s with saxophone legend George Garzone and his famous band “The Fringe”, and has been performing with them in the Boston and Providence region. 2 years ago at the Coupe Mondiale World Competition, Cory was hailed as the world’s best young Jazz Accordionist. $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $3 for NHAA members. Limited open seating. Call 1.800.328.5227 now to reserve. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:21:01 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/13/cory-pesaturo http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/13/cory-pesaturo This month's meeting of the Golden State Accordion Club features a special performance by Mario Pedone. Born in southern Italy, Pedone's family moved to Venezuela when he was eight years old and it was there that he began to study the accordion, first under Miguel Casas Augé and later with Roberto Ruscitti. Today, he lives with his family in Sugar Land, Texas, where he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to Classical, Latin, European, American standards. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:41:41 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/26/mario-pedone http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/26/mario-pedone This month's meeting of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods features a special performance by Mario Pedone. Born in southern Italy, Pedone's family moved to Venezuela when he was eight years old and it was there that he began to study the accordion, first under Miguel Casas Augé and later with Roberto Ruscitti. Today, he lives with his family in Sugar Land, Texas, where he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to Classical, Latin, European, American standards. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:40:38 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/17/mario-pedone http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/17/mario-pedone This month's meeting of the Good Time Accordion Club features a special performance by Mario Pedone. Born in southern Italy, Pedone's family moved to Venezuela when he was eight years old and it was there that he began to study the accordion, first under Miguel Casas Augé and later with Roberto Ruscitti. Today, he lives with his family in Sugar Land, Texas, where he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to Classical, Latin, European, American standards. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:39:47 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/12/mario-pedone http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/12/mario-pedone The rousing, sharp-suited Bellowhead were first unleashed onto an unsuspecting audience at the Oxford festival in April 2004, brought together by the award-winning duo Spiers and Boden. Their plan was to gather a talented collective of disparate musicians into a group capable of playing many styles, idioms and textures from around the world - big band to soul; jazz-funk to classical strings - yet retaining, at it’s heart, an exquisite sensitivity to the essence of English traditional music. The band was an instant, riotous success and within a few months had already been voted Best Live Group in the 2005 BBC Folk Awards. The response to ‘E.P.onymous’, a 5-track demo initially produced only to send to promoters was so great that public demand forced them to release it and it promptly received a 5 star review in MOJO. 2006 saw the release of their extraordinary, groundbreaking album, ‘Burlesque‘, to universal critical acclaim, garnering awards and plaudits everywhere. ‘Burlesque’ was widely heralded as one of the most important folk recordings ever made and “its flowing stream of humour, intelligence, meticulous research, and free-ranging imagination” had fans and reviewers searching for ever-greater superlatives. At the end of 2006, Bellowhead further impressed when performing on BBC TV’s ‘Later with Jools Holland’ wowing the audience and winning a host of new fans, including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The band started 2007 in characteristic style winning ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Live Band’ again at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. After livening up proceedings with their show-stealing performances at the re-opening of London's Royal Festival Hall, the band spent the year honing the ever-increasing theatricality of their euphoric live shows touring the UK and at a series of major festival spots throughout Europe including The Big Chill, Glastonbury, Larmer Tree, Roskilde & Womad. Voted ‘Best Live Band’ for an incredible 3rd time at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards, the year had already begun well for Bellowhead when they were further honoured by being asked to follow in the footsteps of Saint Etienne, becoming Band in Residence at London's Southbank Centre. Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:12:24 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/07/22/bellowhead http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/07/22/bellowhead The rousing, sharp-suited Bellowhead were first unleashed onto an unsuspecting audience at the Oxford festival in April 2004, brought together by the award-winning duo Spiers and Boden. Their plan was to gather a talented collective of disparate musicians into a group capable of playing many styles, idioms and textures from around the world - big band to soul; jazz-funk to classical strings - yet retaining, at it’s heart, an exquisite sensitivity to the essence of English traditional music. The band was an instant, riotous success and within a few months had already been voted Best Live Group in the 2005 BBC Folk Awards. The response to ‘E.P.onymous’, a 5-track demo initially produced only to send to promoters was so great that public demand forced them to release it and it promptly received a 5 star review in MOJO. 2006 saw the release of their extraordinary, groundbreaking album, ‘Burlesque‘, to universal critical acclaim, garnering awards and plaudits everywhere. ‘Burlesque’ was widely heralded as one of the most important folk recordings ever made and “its flowing stream of humour, intelligence, meticulous research, and free-ranging imagination” had fans and reviewers searching for ever-greater superlatives. At the end of 2006, Bellowhead further impressed when performing on BBC TV’s ‘Later with Jools Holland’ wowing the audience and winning a host of new fans, including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The band started 2007 in characteristic style winning ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Live Band’ again at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. After livening up proceedings with their show-stealing performances at the re-opening of London's Royal Festival Hall, the band spent the year honing the ever-increasing theatricality of their euphoric live shows touring the UK and at a series of major festival spots throughout Europe including The Big Chill, Glastonbury, Larmer Tree, Roskilde & Womad. Voted ‘Best Live Band’ for an incredible 3rd time at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards, the year had already begun well for Bellowhead when they were further honoured by being asked to follow in the footsteps of Saint Etienne, becoming Band in Residence at London's Southbank Centre. Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:11:06 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/07/20/bellowhead http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/07/20/bellowhead