Nick Ariondo

Nicholas Ariondo (Born, 7 September 1955) is an American accordionist, composer, pianist. "Ariondo's skills as a composer and arranger contribute enormously to the effectiveness of his performances" Keyboard Magazine/Titus Levi Throughout his career, the artistry of Nick Ariondo has created a large repertoire of original compositions & arrangements showcasing the accordion's dynamic range and artistic capabilities. His videos are a global presentation of diverse music styles and influences from traditional folk and ethnic to current modern classical forms. He is known for his work with various singers, such as Paul McCartney and Placido Domingo. A double Grammy Award winner with the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, he became the first American to be awarded Italy's Ancona Prize for his "Kalamatiano for Viola & Free-bass Accordion" (ACCO-Music Publishing), a contemporary composition utilizing Greek dance music as displayed in this video. Ariondo received over twenty awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for his compositions and arrangements. Willard Palmer, historian, pianist, accordionist, composer, and editor for Alfred Music Publishing, nominated Ariondo for inclusion into the International Who's Who in Music. Ariondo has appeared as featured artist in the Los Angeles Times, Keyboard Magazine, Accordion Arts, Strings Magazine Journal of the American Viola Society and in several international accordion-related newsletters & periodicals. Upon review of Ariondo chamber work for viola and accordion, Strings Magazine wrote "the combination was fresh to the ears: Ariondo, a virtuoso accordion player, gave a dazzling performance, exchanging bravura variations with the violist. They should go on the road with this one!"