International Accordion Festival in Geert Tess

Johnny grew up in a musical family, his parents played in a country and western band along with his aunt and uncle who toured the UK with Chet Atkins. His paternal grandmother was a skilled pianist, and his mother’s parents played in the Salvation Army brass band. Johnny became fascinated with the piano at a very young age and it was through this instrument that he discovered his love for music and singing. At the age of 14, Johnny played the accordion that his grandfather had bought him and it was here that he found his passion for the instrument.

From the age of 17, Johnny began playing the accordion and singing semi-professionally with a Gypsy Jazz band from Nottingham called “Maniere des Bohemians” along with his brother Matt Keery and three other members of the band. His inspiration comes from greats like Sinatra, Monroe, Pizzola, Reinhardt, and Richard Galliano, with whom Johnny has personally studied and whose repertoire includes a range of styles such as Jazz, Gipsy Jazz, Bossa Nova, French Musette, Tango, Classical and Folk.

The program also consists of the following artists: Marieke Kroes (classical), Pietro Adragna (IT-Virtuoso Entertainment), René Trok (easy listening and Amsterdam music) and guitarist Paulus Schäfer.

The program is from 13:30 to 17:00 with a 30-minute break. Tickets cost €15.00 in advance and €17.50 at the box office. You can order tickets via www.accordeonfestival.nl, [email protected] or 06-83014316. For more information about the artists, see: www.accordionfestival.nl