Stockport Accordion Club Newsletter for January and February 2007

Stockport AC meets every Wednesday at Woodley Methodist Church, Chapel St,
Woodley, Stockport (J25 M60, follow the Bredbury signs, and then turn left
at the traffic lights just after MacDonalds.  Woodley Methodist Church is on
the left coming from the M60, not far after the Wagon & Horses pub and
opposite a road named Smithy Green).    Musical Directors: Peter Whiteley
(SAC Band,7pm to 8.30 pm) and Brian Jenkins (SAC Orchestra, 9pm to 10.30
pm).  New members always welcome.


                                  Wednesday January 10th, at 8pm
                                        Club Night Guest Artiste is Julie Best
                             (Brilliant solo accordionist, from Carlisle)

Happy 2007,
          Well, here we are: the dawn of another year, making New Year
resolutions, taking out gym memberships, etc.  The first Band/Orchestra
practice is on January 3rd, and then we begin 2007’s concerts on Wednesday,
January 10th, with Julie Best as our Club Night guest artiste.  Many of you
will remember Julie Best & Ron Hodgson playing at SAC twice previously as a
duo, back in January 1995 and January 1997.  Ten years have passed, and
Julie is now performing as a solo accordionist, and I thought it was high
time she came back to Stockport.  Julie plays with the Ronmar Accordion
Orchestra, but is also a fantastic solo accordionist, with a wide
repertoire.  Admission is Ј4.   As always, we begin promptly at 8pm, and all
are welcome, including those who would like to play a tune or two.
          Julie Best has made recordings with Ron Hodgson and with the
Ronmar Accordion Orchestra, and has made a solo CD, Gin & It, which will be
available at her concert.  The tracks include: Fantaisie Polka, Beautiful
Days, Czardas (V. Monti), Scherzo, Les Triolets, Brьsseler Spitzen, Cuckoo
Waltz, Gin & It, 12th St Rag, Accordion Boogie, Zingarella, Magic Fingers,
Elvira, Luxembourg Polka and Blaze Away.
          Our November Club Night concert saw the SAC debut of Pearl
Fawcett-Adriano, whose performance mesmerised everybody present.  Pearl
began quietly, playing O Sole Mio plaintively.  This merely lulled everyone
into a false sense of calm, as after that she turned on an absolute
firecracker of a performance, exploding into action with Dance of the
Comedians, Cubanola, Drigo’s Serenade, Quick Silver, Begin the Beguine,
Caravan, Allegro (Fiocco), Sleepy Blues, Dance of the Hours and Cirbiribin –
each performed with a wonderful musicality.  Except for Allegro, which was
performed with the sound of a harpsichord and electronic bass, the pieces
were played largely acoustically but with electronic voices added in
occasionally for effect.  Pearl gave a master class in how to perform, a
fine blend of virtuosity and entertainment.  Pearl was joined for two
impromptu numbers by resident concertina wizard John Nixon, playing La
Paloma   and   Mack the Knife.  Her performance received a standing ovation,
something rarely seen at our club.   The evening also included spots by the
SAC Orchestra, Peter Whiteley, Rocky Howard/Derek Hulme, Chris Green, Ray
Peacock, and the indefatigable John Higham.
         Before Christmas, SAC members Johnny, Peter, Adrienne, Derek,
Chris, Betty, Tony, Rob and John (Jones) were very busy out and about
playing, with John going for the world record by doing gigs at the rate of
two or three each day.  John does more bookings than any other accordionist
I know.  John and I did our usual ‘Chas & Dave’ stuff down in the Air Raid
Shelters, a case of ‘All this, and world war, too!’  Vice President John
Nixon was down at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in London, working with
accordionist Eddie Hession and an orchestra, to record some music for Le
Prix a Payer, a French language movie.
         The SAC Band & Orchestra put on an excellent show at Macclesfield
on December 8th, and Ј1,000 was raised for the East Cheshire Hospice.  The
man really responsible for all this is, of course, John Jones.  John has
personally raised an amazing Ј160,000 plus for various charities, and is one
of the greatest ambassadors for the accordion and SAC.
         Diana Tonge leaves us in January to live in India for the next two
years, along with husband Dave.  Diana has been a playing member almost
since the reformation of the Clifford Wood Accordion Orchestra, as we were
then known, back in the late 1980s.  We’ll certainly miss you Di, but will
you miss the Chalk Face?  I suspect not!  Keep in touch.
         Johnny Coleclough is the guest at Leyland AC on Wednesday, January
17th.
         The club’s AGM takes place on Wednesday February 28th, at 8pm.  All
offices are up for election.  Roy Hamlet has indicated that he intends to
stand down as Secretary, after many years’ service.  The bulk of the work
that keeps the club afloat is done by a small nucleus of members, so it
would be good to see some new faces on the Committee…
         Whilst on the subject of work done, I will say my own personal
thank you to those who are instrumental in the success of the Club Night
concerts – Tony, who collects the money at the door, Betty & Dot in the
kitchen, and those who have set up the chairs/stage, or assist in any other
way.  These concerts do not just happen by magic – my thanks to you all.
         Bolton-based organist/teacher Alan Venn organises small-scale
weekend festivals in seaside hotels, and the 2007 events are:- Annan Hotel,
Llandudno: March 18th/23rd – Harry Hussey (accordion) and Chris Powell &
Andrew Seddon (organ); October 1st/5th - Harry Hussey and Andrew Seddon/Ian
Wolstenholme (organ).  From June 18th/21st, at the Mount Hotel, Blackpool –
the guests are Harry Hussey and Andrew Seddon & Norman Scott (organ).  For
further information call Alan Venn on 01204 840 279.
         For sale: Corelli 120 bass musette-tuned piano accordion; 7
treble/5 bass couplers, internal mutes; colour – red; excellent condition -
Ј900.  This accordion will be on display at the next Club Night concert on
January 10th.  Contact Brian Hulme on (0161) 626 6142.
         Tony Marchell offers tuition on piano accordion and guitar
(classical, country, blues and rock) - any ability - beginners especially
welcome. Contact 0161 434 1933; email ; website:
www.tonymarchell.co.uk
         Johnny Coleclough and I went to see Seamus Shannon playing at St
Richard’s Social Club in Longsight in late November, where we also met up
with Tommy Joyce, who used to manage the affairs of Seamus, Dermot O’Brien
and Fintan Stanley on their tours over here.  Since then, Tommy has suffered
a major stroke and is hospitalised.  Tommy has always been a good friend to
us, and we pray for his recovery and wish him well…
         The NAO North Central Area Accordion Championships take place on
Saturday February 24th at the Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire,
organised by Harry Hinchcliffe.
          Looking a little further into next year, Foster & Allen are
playing at the Plaza in Stockport on Tuesday April 3rd, at 7.30pm; booking
number - 0161 477 7779.
        I hope 2007 is a good year for all of us, and most of all, a healthy
one.  If you can make it to Woodley Methodist Church to see Julie Best on
January 10th, you will surely get the New Year off to a very good start.  To
misquote Tina Turner, Julie is “Simply the Best”!!  In the meantime, keep on
squeezin’ through 2007.
Rob Howard (0161) 480 8858; email: