I was up on stage with Joel Guzman and his two Dino Bafetti three rows on wednesday night at the Central Texas Accordion Association meeting. At first I was playing my mandolin, but pulled out my LeCapitaine a bit later. Great night. J. J. Barrera backed things up with his bass. If you don't know about Joel, check out his recent release with Joe Ely: "Live at the Cactus". He said he loved the sound of my Binci reeds.

Where do these people meet, John? Sounds like a hoot.
Tell J.J. we need him back at the Fiddlers for the Jam. I'm gettin' callused fingers from having to play so dang much guitar. Actually, I need the practice.
See you at the second one in Sep.
JB

If anyone hasn't heard of or heard Joel Guzman.. well worth the trip into Youtube or his CDs.. ( with Aztec or Mexican Roots Trio )..

wonderful person, and the undisputed king of triple row conjunto diatonic .. ( see his jazz improvisations on Youtube for an ear and eye-opening performance )..

Glenn

top notch. just listen to his accordion jam on youtube. Nice blues jam going on.

The CTAA moved it's meetings to Schultz' Beer Garden on the third Wednesday of each month beginning at 7. Joel was a special guest this meeting to kick off the new meeting place. Special time. He is at the forefront of the campaign to expand the popularity of accordion music in Texas. A great ambassador to the world. Fun group of people at the meetings. Check out their website at link 3 above.

Capt.

Funny that you should mention Joel Guzman. Back in late June, He played at the Smithsonian Folk Festival as did Ed Poullard. They had these discussion presentations; and for one of them this lady interviewed Joel, Ed, and one othe person whose name I can't remember - he was also from San Antonio. Anyway, the interviewer asked them to play a tune together. Now if Ed had wanted to, he could have totally overpowered them with Lawrence Ardoin's diatonic accordion; but of course he did not. But it was real neat to hear this "accordion trio" playing together - one of the things you will not forget.

Jack Bond

Jack,

Now Mr. Poullard and Ardoin play different style of accordions and music then Mr. Guzman and that's where any other comparisons ends.

Ed , ( who is one of the braves here ).. plays triple row as well .. and Joel plays most anything ( diatonic, chromatic, keyboard.. he studied jazz comp in college )..Joel also does asides into blues, cajun, bluegrass and Irish music in his repertoire.. he makes it all look very very easy.. but is the product of being a musical prodigy and 40 yrs of playing/recording in public..

I am sure they have a few songs in common somewhere.. : )

My friend Charles Thibodeaux also played the Smithsonian and some other friends Marlon McAllister and Beth Coffey did Cajun dance demostrations. Austin has a big music presence.