EASTBOURNE ACCORDION FESTIVAL     OCTOBER 2007

If you were not at the Eastbourne Festival from 12-15 October you missed a fabulous experience. John and Jackie Romero really excelled themselves this year and treated us all to a truly remarkable programme.  What a line-up of artists and teachers!  We were dazzled by a feast of talent and kept busy from the time breakfast finished until long after midnight - well into the small hours.

From the moment we arrived we knew this weekend was going to be a blast.  We had been into the town and bought a free-standing towel rail, complete with towel, and walked into the Cumberland Hotel to be greeted by ‘You'll be wanting a rub down with a wet lettuce then?’  Sometimes you meet a person who makes a big impression on you and thus it was we met George Syrett.  Of course we did not know who it was at the time but his cheeky smile and infectious good humour worked its irresistible charm and we were in love!  But then we spotted Harry Hussey and we are in love with him too – what is a girl to do?

The concert programme was thrilling with superb performances every evening.  Harry Hussey got things started on Friday afternoon and put us all in a great mood before dinner.  The evening concert was a treat – George Syrett, Mauro Carra, Julie Best and Jean Corrighan and Murray Grainger all played superbly.  Murray introduced the Roland accordion range and gave a fascinating demonstration of their capabilities.  Unfortunately he had to leave early on Sunday and so this was the only chance we had to hear him.  The others played every evening.  The young Italian, Mauro Carra, played many virtuoso pieces which were very exciting and his fingers became a blur as they raced up and down the keyboard at breathtaking speed with amazing accuracy.  World class playing indeed.  Whatever his fee, it was many thousands of notes to the pound, no doubt.  Julie Best treated us to some beautiful playing and luckily she had persuaded Jean Corrighan to return as her duet partner, giving us all a first-class demonstration of skilful duetting. They had travelled 399.7 miles on Friday and were still fresh and lovely to listen to.   Of course, the ever popular and well-loved Harry Hussey was there, performing in his own unique way until the audience ran out of titles. George Syrett was, well, George Syrett: full of fun and dazzling the audience with his high kicks – we liked the playing and singing too!

On Saturday the great Oleg Sharov joined us.  He talked about musical education in Russia in his seminar and answered questions about various techniques which he demonstrated and, of course, made it all look so easy.  Everyone was eager to hear his recitals in the evenings and he did not disappoint.  What can we say about Oleg except that it was a privilege to see and hear him perform?  Such musical playing, the incredible timbres and colours of his beautiful Russian accordion, his total mastery of the instrument and the huge variety of styles from Bach to the A Train, plus Russian folk melodies, Piazzolla  (‘Oblivion’ – fabulous), the funny ‘Telephone Talking’ and popular pieces like ‘Carnival of Venice’ as well as his own arrangement of ‘The Blue Danube’.

On Saturday morning, work started for everyone: first the orchestra with Jean Hanger who quickly sorted us all out with parts and whipped us into shape: with only two practices before the performance on Sunday afternoon there was no time to lose.  Then straight into a session with Alastair Cameron for a busy hour of lively Scottish music, followed immediately by an hour with Angie Lukins who gave us a great session of music and produced some quackers to add sound effects to the tune ‘Ugly Duckling’.  A three hour non-stop session – what happened to the coffee break, John?  We had to work even harder for the same sessions on Sunday morning too – still no coffee and no time for a pit stop either!!

Each afternoon there was ample opportunity for guests to perform as well as listen. The session hosted by George Syrett was great fun and some of his introductions added to the entertainment, whilst Harry could not resist joining in during his session on Sunday.  Many brave souls had a go and all were encouraged and appreciated, from very young beginners to talented professionals including Rosemary Wright.  We actually had time for a tea break in the afternoons – how civilised - during which the young and talented George Bennett stole our hearts with his blend of music and humour.  And he is so gorgeous!  (We call him Gorgeous Georgeous).

In addition there were various seminars taken by Harry Hussey (jazz), Alastair Cameron (Scottish), Trevani (Klezmer) and Mauro Carra, assisted by Gennaro Fiondella who translated, as well as tuition for absolute beginners by Sue Bennett, lunchtime concerts in the bar and many opportunities to get help and advice from all the artists as well as from the various trade stand personnel who were happy for us to try their beautiful instruments, even if we were not serious buyers, and there was plenty of music to buy from Trevani’s well stocked shop too.  We also had the chance to get advice on repairs, tuning and general maintenance from experts such as Stan Mayhew and Alan Young.

The last evening came all too soon with another wonderful concert and the raffle on behalf of John and Jackie’s pet charity, Winston’s Wish which was followed by an amazing pro jam session featuring all the artists strutting their stuff and clearly having fun. All that remained was to have breakfast on the Monday morning, enjoy the final farewell concert and say goodbye to new and old friends.

Roll on February 15-18^th 2008, the next Eastbourne Festival.  We have booked already (and for the October 10-13^th 2008) because these events are too good to miss.   Get your place reserved early as they are sure to be a sell out.  Don’t forget to bring something for the raffle, Winston’s Wish is a really deserving charity.  The fantastic news is that there will be an extra accordion festival in September 2008 at St Audries.

Finally  many, many thanks to John and Jackie Romero for organising these festivals so well and to the Cumberland Hotel for looking after us.  Great artists, great venue, great food and the opportunity to meet old and new accordion friends – what more can anyone want.

Rene Mairis and Lilian Scaddan,   Isle of Wight