Without a doubt
Richard Galliano is the most famous accordionist of his generation. The French prodigy's career is remarkable. The now58-year-old Galliano studied in Nice and, as a teenager, won nearly every accordion contest he participated in. After he moved toParis, things went really fast for the sympathetic Frenchman. He was asked to perform with French legends like Charles Aznavour, Juliette Gréco and Georges Moustaki. In 1983 he met his great idol, Astor Piazzolla. The two remained friends until the death of the Argentinean grandmaster in 1992. From 1980 onwards, Galliano shared the stage with jazz stars like Chet Baker, Joe Zawinul, Michel Petrucciani and Toots Thielemans. He has been working on interesting projects with his own band for years. Since he developed the so-called 'New Musette' style in1991, the accordionist has been a shining example for an entire generation of new musicians. His latest project is the CD
Love Day: Los Angeles Sessions which he recorded together with pianist
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, bassist Charlie Haden and Mino Cinelu on drums.
Richard Bona and
Clarence Penn will take up the spots of the latter two. Virtuosity and a sense for both jazz and classical music will then be reunited.
