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THIS
HISTORY PAGE IS DEDICATED TO MY INCREDIBLE MOTHER AND FATHER, WHO STILL ARE
PLAYING ACCORDIONS AT OVER 80 YEARS OF AGE, REGULAR APPEARANCES AT THE ACCORDION
CLUB KEEP MOTHER BUSY PRACTICING, USING A DIFFERENT REPERTOIRE ON EACH
APPEARANCE. WHAT A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM BOTH
by
GINA BRANNELLI
In
Manchester centre lives The Band on The Wall, a club still featuring the best
in live music. But back in the late 30s it was Florence that had the top spot,
she entertained a cosmopolitan audience, with all styles of music, she was the
most popular accordionist, in the hot spot in the centre of Manchester.On the drums, Jim Hart, Saxophone Mick
the Pole, Pianist Albert Mancini, Jack on Accordion and Florence on accordion
and the Band Leader. Albert Mancini was an incredible musician, a pianist and
accordionist and was the Accordion teacher of both Jack and Florence, this was
where they in fact first met. Rudi Mancini became their lifelong friend, and
Godfather to their first born Gina.
The accordion was the most popular
instrument of this time and the Accordion music echoed in the Manchester
streets, the accordion phenomena of the time was Rudi Mancini, the most
celebrated of the street artistes, was Dominico Rea, one of the entertainers and
personalities of the era.
The great accordion personalities their
notoriety borne in most cases during this period were, to name just a few, Rudi
Mancini, Dominico Rea, Lawrence Kelly, Renee Lucassi, The Valerio Brothers, the
Destefano Brothers, Alicia Dells, a former Champion, , Florence and Jack
Brannelli.
Toralf Tollefson, Charles Magnante,
Pietro Diero, Frosini, Anthony Gallarini were the icons of the period, and have
remained so until today, their tutorial systems still used in schools, their
music always played and appreciated. This was a great time for the accordion
everywhere.
Well done Florence and Jack for your special
contribution to the future of the accordion. Even now after 60 years still
showing the world that you still enjoy playing.
KEEP ENTERTAINING YOUR PUBLIC FLO AND JACK, WE ALL LOVE
YOU. |
