Thanks everyone for your feedback on playing the bass and chords on the single-row accordion. It's definitely a rhythm thing. I like the observation that it can be played with a subtle touch. I'd love to hear more thoughts. Interesting that some Quebec and Irish players omit it.

On the triple row, you might have 12 bass on up to 120 bass on the left side, like a piano accordion. I think both Corey Ledet and Keith Frank have a large array of buttons on the left side and play them well.

Clifton Chenier and John Delafose certainly made great use of the bass buttons in zydeco.

Two-row Irish system (B/C and C#/D) players often use their basses; often more for occasional accents like Uilleann pipe drone hoots, rather than for the continuous oom-pa effect. Much perspiration over what bass layout to order with your box: Paolo, McComisky, or your own special way.

In Cajun and Creole music, I always appreciate hearing the bass mixed in with an acoustic trio setup. I've never played against a bass guitar or bull fiddle, but I expect you wouldn't want to mic the accordion bass even if you kept playing it for reason of rhythmical counterpoint.
S'b'B

Most of the Tex-Mex styles don't use the left side for sound. Many Tex Mex boxes have the reeds removed on the left for faster bellows response and more free air.

Nice to know, Craig.
But how about the one I once saw: Santiago Jimenez?
He used his left hand (at least when he left stage and came to play in the audience.

Gus

Some do, many don't. Those who can usually play other styles as well. If you get a chance to listen to Ruben Coe, please do. He has no recordings but shows up on YouTube from time to time. One of his boxes is jazz tuned which sounds great! An excellent musician he is.
Craig

One big question left open: Why do Cajun bands rarely record the bass and chords? CDs by Horace Trahan, Ray Abshire, Steve Riley, Jimmy Breaux (and others) typically don't include this sound. Any thoughts on why it appears to be an exception to record the left hand parts? The new Les Amis Creole kickin' new CD is an exception, where you can pick out Ed Poullard's left hand pretty much throughout.