I live in Winnipeg, so, any of these festivals are a ways. I had not heard of the NB festival. Could be a good one in the years to come.
I first heard of the Montmagny festival from M. Robert Boutet, in Quebec, whom I bought my second accordion from a few years ago. I know that you are familiar with him from some of your postings. Anyway, he knew that I was interested in the cajun side of accordions, and he told me that Marc Savoy, among many other Louisiana builders frequently showed up at this festival. Among accordion festivals, Montmagny apparently ranks among the top ones in the world, in terms of variety, of genres (german, irish, cajun...... and on, and on.
He told me that at any given festival year, you could meet among the best builders and performers in the world of accordioning, in most genres. By the way, out of all 4 hand built accordions that I have owned, Robert Boutet's accordion was the tightest one of them all. It had the quickest action, the least leakage, and turned out to be the easiest to play. I eventually sold it back to him(for a reasonable price ,I might add), only because I wanted so much to have a Louisiana built one. Secondly, the reads he had used were not top quality. I contemplated re-reading that box, but did not. I now wish that I had kept it. It was a wonderful little box. Slightly smaller dimensions and lighter that any of my LA boxes.
What I hope to do in Montmagny this fall, is to just have fun trying out a variety of Quebecois boxes, and possibly buy one eventually. I love my two Martins,...... will never part with them, but from what I have seen so far, there are many Quebecois builders who very much rival LA builders in quality, but I have noticed that they typically pay more attention to more refined woodwork details. They can often be pieces of woodworking art.
Larry Miller took apart my Boutet box when I was down in LA last, and he was very intrigued by it's construction and it's attention to woodwork detail. I got the sense that builders very much like to see other craftsmen's work, and when they see good techniques used, I'm sure try to adopt them and share them. Maybe that is what these festivals mean most to these builders. They get to frasternize with fellow craftsmen, and share Ideas.
Been wanting to go to Montmagny for a few years. Have not made it yet, but hope to this year or next.
Cheers Maz. I always read your postings......... They are always helpful, and insightful, not to mention entertaining. Hope you get your Bb soon ! You'll never want to put it down.
Merci Claude, le premiere link il travaille pas pour moi.
Looking at the second link, it looks like Messervier builds his own bellows, or does he just tape his own? I wish I could look at one close up. Looks very similar to a Louisiana one in the pics.
Speaking of builders, I did meet a few at the Memramcook fest two weeks ago. Robert Boutet was there, Laurencio Beaudin, and a few other top players and builders. I too, was impressed by the quality of boxes displayed. Prices range between $2k - $2.5K Cdn. I still prefer the Cajun craftmanship.
C'est un peu comme si tu comparais les torchons et les serviettes .
L'amour te rends aveugle, mais cela, nous arrive ,a tous, de temps en temps, on oublie ses racines,son patrimoine, amoureux que nos sommes d'une nouvelle passion.
Mais tu est pardonne, car je suis aussi , comme tant d'autres avant toi, passe par la.
Enfin .
PS: Excuse l'absence des accents, quelque qu'ils soit , car je n'ait pas encre installe leur programme sur mon nouveau ordinateur.
Yes Maz, I fly,...... and you were gracious to spend some time with me last year. I hardly make it to Halifax. When I first met you my reportoire was minuscule, and I was hesitant to play for others. I'm still a shy, quiet sort but my reportoire is a bit more respectable now