PERSONALITIES

  CARMELO CARROZZA

ARTIST   - SHOWMAN   -TECHNICIAN

===============================

        By WILLIAM MACFARLANE

        (Editor of The Musicordion)

 The Pietro / Musicordion June, 1947 Vol. 5, No. 2

         One of the most serious Problems Facing accordion concert music to date has been the lack of young blood to take over the reins where the “old timers” have left off. Because the instrument itself is comparatively young, we have been able to hang on to such pioneers as Pietro, Magnante, Frosini and perhaps a dozen others, but there have been all too few of the younger brood who have shown promise enough of being able to fill the shoes of these, their predecessors. Now, after have heard Carmelo Carrozza’s concert in Philadelphia on May 17th, I think the future takes on a somewhat more encouraging outlook.

         Here is a lad who plays in the true tradition of accordion concert music. Mr. Carrozza is a soloist who plays with delicacy of feeling and an all inclusive sense of artistry simply unsurpassed by any accordionist of his generation. He has inborn faculty of the veteran showman and the technical deftness that comes only to those with a superior Knowledge and love of the instrument.

         He is only 25 years old, but don’t let that deceive you. His career started at the age of 11 (he studied violin two years previous to that). By the time he was fifteen he was teaching for himself. In 1943 he began teaching at the headquarters and has been with us ever since. This month AMCO is featuring one of his latest compositions “Nine Bass Boogie,” an exciting boogie woogie for the 12 bass instrument. His educational background during these 14 years has included men like Pietro Deiro, A. d’Auberge and Professor U. Gigante of the Academy of Music. It was 14 years of serious work, culminating in a masterful performance that night in Philadelphia. He packed them in. The S.R.O. sign was hung out that night and finally even that had to be taken down.

         The high spot of his program, which included some Chopin an Tschaikowsky, was Pietro Derio’s “Concerto in E”. In the first presentation of the concerto with a piano accompaniment he was ably assisted by Frank Cusumano at the piano. The Concert was such a huge success that it is being repeated at the Carnegie Chamber Music Hall on June 29th at 2:30 P.M. Mr. Carrozza’s sudden popularity causes us to predict another sell out, so those of you around New York who don’t want to miss special event should get your ticket orders in early.

          At the same time a concert tour of the eastern states is being organized for Mr. Carrozza, and all accordion schools planning concerts in the fall that would like to feature Mr. Carrozza as guest soloist should contact Pietro Deiro, Jr. here at the Headquarters for future particulars. An artist of Mr. Carrozza’s   caliber will definitely add much to school concert.