CAA Blog

Hey Everyone!

Our concert on May 19 was a huge success!  Thanks to all who came to support the CAA Orchestra!

Thanks to our dedicated orchestra members and our devoted Maestro, Peter Peluso!

Kudos to the fantastic guest artists who graced the stage with their talent: Abby Mc Gough, Jim Lawrence, Emily Gauthier, Maryjane Peluso!

And finally...thank you to Ginger Grider and "Polka Man Jack" Baciewski for the video of the concert!  You can see and hear the concert in its entirety by going to our Videos section!

Pictures from the March 25 CAA Gathering

Michael Clarke led a traditional Irish "Seisiun" consisting of Irish songs, and stories.  He was joined by vocalists as well as several CAA members, including Steve Balog, above.

Mike performs solo below.  A wonderful time was held by all!

To our CAA family:

I am deeply saddened to inform all of you in the CAA of the passing of a very active member of our Connecticut Accordion Association family.  Our dear Mary Mascolo passed away very suddenly yesterday, February 17.

Mary was an active member of the CAA orchestra for years.  A student of Bob Vitale's as a child and adolescent, Mary returned to the accordion world when the CAA was formed, played in the orchestra as well as in the ensemble known as "Vitality" under the direction of our dear teacher, Bob Vitale. She was a dedicated player, a wonderful friend and an active member of the accordion community in Connecticut.  She was also a member of the American Accordionists' Association and participated in its yearly festivals on a regular basis.

Mary was a dear friend to those of us who studied with Bob in the heyday of the accordion in Waterbury. She will be deeply missed by our accordion family.

I ask that you keep Mary's husband and 2 daughters in your thoughts and prayers.

Our next CAA Gathering on March 25, 2018 at 1:00 at the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire is going to be nothing short of a BLAST!

Noted accordionist, CAA member Michael Clarke has an impressive history and background. A founding member of Celtic Cross, a celtic-rock band formed in the 1980s in the New York metropolitan area, Mr. Clarke ushered in the tri-state’s homage to the "Celtic Tiger” movement by writing and performing on Celtic Cross' popular first album, entitled Part the First.  Mr. Clarke has recorded with Tommy Mulvihill, John Nolan, Kitty Kelly, Susan McGrath and Eileen Crowley, and has performed with Paddy Noonan, Dermot O’Brien, the Saw Doctors, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Michael “Jesse" Owens, the Wolfe Tones, the Commitments, the Jamie Kelly Band and the Andy Cooney Band.  Currently, Mr. Clarke regularly performs live an eclectic mix of Irish and 1980s music with the two piece band, McBueller.

He is going to be hosting a traditional Irish “seisiun” along with vocalist Kathy Mrazik. Everyone is invited to bring instruments and join in music and song!

Don't miss this one...but please RSVP!!!

Many thanks to all of you who attended our FABULOUS concert last Sunday, December 3, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Waterbury.

For those of you who missed the live performance, you can see the concert in the video section of this website!

There will be no CAA Gatherings in January and February of 2018. We are noticing that the weather can be an issue that affects attendance at these gatherings.  SO.....we will see you on March 25, 2018.  We are scheduled for the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire at 1:00.  Details TBA.

Also, our next concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 at St. John's Episcopal.  Don't miss it!

Happy Holidays!  May 2018 bring all of you JOY!

CAA IN CONCERT ON DECEMBER 3 AT 3:00!

St John's Episcopal Church in Waterbury CT will be the setting for our annual Holiday Concert this year!  The CAA Orchestra, led by Peter Peluso, will charm you with classical holiday favorites, a little rock and roll, guest artists and special vocalists!  See the details under "Next Meeting" on this website!

THANK YOU to all of you folks who braved last Sunday's stormy weather to attend our CAA Gathering at The Waverly Tavern!  We had a great time jamming under the direction of CAA Orchestra Conductor, Peter Peluso, playing Carolina in the Morning, Somewhere My Love and The Happy Wanderer.  And the CAA Orchestra gained a NEW MEMBER !  Welcome Linda Riley to the CAA Orchestra Family!

Special thanks to Paul Ramunni for bringing instruments for folks to try out and play!

We had several special guest performers at open mic who charmed the crowd! Paul Ramunni gave a great tribute to Tony Lovello.  Performances by Doug Codianni, Mike Dran, Peter Peluso along with young vocalist Olivai Smailes. Anita and Bob Siarkowski charmed the audience in Octoberfest costume.

On to our next gathering....our annual Holiday Concert!

Join us on October 29th at 1:00 at the Waverly Tavern for a GROUP JAM led by CAA Orchestra conductor Peter Peluso.  Sheet music to be provided. Bring your own accordion and jam with us! If you're new to the accordion, or curious about playing one and don't have an instrument, a limited number of instruments will be on hand for your use, courtesy of the New England Accordion Connection and Museum! Come see what it's like to play an accordion!

The Jam will be followed by ACCORDION PLUS OPEN MIC!

Bring a musical friend for the OPEN MIC portion of the event and perform for the group!

Get more details by pressing the NEXT MEETING button on the website.

On Sunday, September 24, at the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire, CT, the Connecticut Accordion Association dedicated its gathering to Bob Vitale, who passed away last July 15. The crowd of some 75 CAA members viewed a slide show dedicated to Bob and heard tributes from his 2 sons, Michael and Mark Vitale.

They were entertained by Eddie Monteiro, joined by Mitchell Guido on Sax and Jack Varanelli on drums. All 3 of these musicians had the pleasure of knowing Bob personally as well as professionally and shared a mutual respect for each other as musicians.  Eddie paid a visit to Bob during his last days, coming to Bob's house and delivering a private concert to Bob just days before he passed. Mitchell Guido, Conductor of the AAA's Youth Involvement Jazz Ensemble in 2016 and 2017, played under Bob as a participant of that program. Jack Varanelli is a well known and respected jazz percussionist who played alongside Bob in their younger days as well as with the CAA orchestra.

The program closed with a video of Bob leading the AAA's Youth Involvement Jazz Ensemble, which he directed in Alexandria, VA in 2015. Finally, AAA Vice President Joe Ciccone presented a declaration from the AAA officially naming the Youth Involvement Program after Bob.

Accordion icon Tony Lovello passed away on Sunday, September 3. A number of us in the CAA had the pleasure of hearing Tony play over the years at various AAA functions, at the Florida Smash and most recently at the New England Accordion Museum, compliments of Paul Ramunni. It was an honor to know and hear Tony. He will be greatly missed....

NICHOLASVILLE -Tony Lovello, 84, died Sept.3, 2017, at St. Joseph Hospital. Born in Buffalo, NY, he moved to Los Angeles, Ca. at the age of 12. There he became a Master of the Accordion and consummate showman. Tony played with "The Three Suns", and such stars as Eddie Cantor, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante and many others. He was a Korean War Veteran and spent his time entertaining the troops. In later years, he managed the Campbell House Inn for 31 years. He continued performing and teaching throughout his life. He taught students all over the world via Skype. He is survived by his wife Jo Ellen, daughters: Lee Gehefer, Louise Lovello, Toni (Gary) Comeaux, and Jill Hartfield; 8 grandchildren: Jessica, Olivia, Jolene, Ryan, Natasha, Nicole, Jason and Michael, 5 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Joe (Dianne) Lovullo, sister-in law, Grace Lovullo and numerous nieces and nephews.