Tuulikki Bartosik (Estonia) — Cheerful melancholy from Estonia
Estonian Tuulikki Bartosik is a graduate of the renowned Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Since her studying days, she is interested in connecting traditional sounds and modern lifeworld. She was the first to adapt Estonian folksongs for the free-bass accordion.
Tuulikki’s music varies from introspective solo compositions to projects and collaborations with different close musical companions. Best known may be her successful collaboration with British accordionist, singer and dancer Hannah James for the project Chatterbox.
In small clubs, at big festivals, from Estonia to Japan, solo, as a duo or together with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tuulikki makes her mark.
Andrew Waite (Scotland) — High-Speed-Folk
Young Scot Andrew Waite was a small child when he was infected with the love for accordion by his grandfather. It went that far, that he would be playing accordion for two hours before going to school. Of his own accord!
At the age of 13 he performed at Royal Albert Hall at the first BBC Folk Proms. Andrew’s music has traditional Scottish, Irish and English roots, mixing with influences from various other genres such as jazz, gypsy jazz, bluegrass, funk and classical music.
He is touring with different bands, among others Dallahan, and has played together with Sting and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Jelena Davidović (Serbia) — Serbian Key Magic
Serbian Jelena Davidović performs as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles, she is commited to numerous projects of classical, pop and folk music.
As a member of the Live Music Now-Yehudi Menuhin Organisation, she showed her artistic dedication in humanitarian projects for children and adults with disabilities. Alongside her work as a performer and artist, teaching activities and pedagogical experiences are a vital part of her career.
She feels that her accordion with its 15 kilos is not a “male“ instrument: “Let’s be honest: if you do something with passion and love, nothing is too heavy!”
Alf Hågedal (Sweden) — Vintage Sound Caprioles
Swedish musician Alf Hågedal showed an early talent and interest in composing and consequently studied composition (contemporary classical music).
At the age of 22, he discovered his intensified interest in the accordion, learned it autodidactically and undertook serious attempts of promoting himself as an accordionist at the age of 25. Two years later he was voted Swedish “accordionist of the year“.
Alf plays intoxicating compositions from the early 20th century as well as own pieces with a retro touch — sometimes popular, sometimes classical operettalike.
Servais Haanen (D/NL) — The Master of Fine Sounds
Servais Haanen, that musical maverick mastermind! Not just the organizer of the Akkordeonale, he composes and arranges the festival’s ensemble pieces and guides the audience through the programme. Servais’ introductions to each composition and each musician have already acquired cult status, famous for their wit and wisdom.
For a long time now, he has been working on pushing the boundaries of what his accordion can do, integrating elements of New Music, minimalistic structures and other unusual and exceptional sounds. Thanks to his multifaceted work with bands (i.a. Appellation Contrôlée, Quatro Ventos, KlangWeltenFestival) and his activity as a composer for various productions at music theatres and for film documentaries, Servais brings into play diverse musical material.
In addition to the Akkordeonale and being an accordion teacher, one of his dearest activities is his ensemble work with exceptional or impossible instrumentations.
Accompanying Musicians
Christoph Pfändler (Switzerland), Hammered Dulcimer
An old acquaintance of the Akkordeonale, young Swiss dulcimerist Christoph Pfändler delights the festival for the third time now.
With his hammered dulcimer, Chris explores unconventional paths like heavy metal, rock, rock’n’roll and certainly (new) Swiss folk music, sometimes raw, sometimes tender, but always utterly melodic.
Alongside his bands Stalldrang and Metal Kapelle, Chris plays in all kinds of temporary projects, takes on studio jobs, is a dulcimer teacher and writes comissioned compositions and arrangements.
Charlotte Ortmann (Germany) — Saxophone/Transverse flute
Charlotte Ortmann studied jazz saxophone and transverse flute, loves improvisation but is also at home in classical music. Due to her musical curiosity, she does not want to commit herself to just one specific style.
Charlotte’s strength takes effect in her expressive emphasis on the tender and subdued passages, her clear tone, her strong melodiousness and quick reactivity. In Hamburg, her home of choice, she is active in several jazz, funk and soul formations.