depends on the use and need
for the last 35 years or so i have used complex portable
setups, with MIDI backgrounds running through top quality
soundbanks, the purpose being to give the audience in ANY setting
and i mean anywhere from private home, to a garden party to an
amphitheatre to a Church Auditorium to a Vineyard to a Stadium
a live Professional quality rendering of the music they love.
When i first started moving away from the Quartet format,
i did duets with MIDI (Vocalists, Trumpet, Drummer) but gradually
it ended up just me, solo..
in other words the MIDI parts are playing in real time, i do the rest..
the Vocals the lead lines the bass the hooks, and with authentic
sounds (when accordion reeds are not appropriate) hence using
a MIDI accordion or a Digital accordion
this has been a very rewarding and fulfilling way to give the gift of
Music to many people.. sometimes i am just adding to the ambiance,
sometimes as the main event, always stirring memories by being
true to the songs. That means playing the songs the way they live
in the memories of the people, using whenever possible sounds that
also reflect the original and much loved hit version..
sure, in the privacy of my studio i do some accordion only
arrangements, but i seldom play for accordionists,, on occasion i have
done some deeply accordion takes on songs like Angel Eyes,
'Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and other songs that I love because of
Sinatra or Torme of Mathis or Ella
my way has always been driven by the simple fact that i am a
fan too, a fan of the music, of the hits, of the creators and
performers.. and so the way i have done it all is to be as true
to that as possible.. i am lucky that i have been able to
use all these great musical tools, a mix of traditional and
high tech instruments and gear, and put my systems together,
and believe me i am also very thankful this kind of equipment
came to fruition in my lifetime
the trip i have been on is FAR from being a dead end
