Chicago Accordion Club
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Chicago Accordion Club
Home
About
Schedule
Directions
Membership
Officers
History
Silent Reed
Contact
Club Music
Rina Rosa Scholarship
More
  • Home
  • About
  • Schedule
  • Directions
  • Membership
  • Officers
  • History
  • Silent Reed
  • Contact
  • Club Music
  • Rina Rosa Scholarship
  • Home
  • About
  • Schedule
  • Directions
  • Membership
  • Officers
  • History
  • Silent Reed
  • Contact
  • Club Music
  • Rina Rosa Scholarship

History of the Chicago Accordion Club

Celebrating our 33rd Anniversary!

The one and only Chicago Accordion Club was founded in 1988 by legendary accordionists from the Chicago area under the leadership of first President Lindy Kao. Past Presidents have included: John Simkus, Ernie Sandquist, Lenny Leto, Joe Pekarek and Gary Edgren.


Meetings of the Club through the years have featured performances from accordion greats not only from Chicago, but also from around the world including Italy, Russia, China, Poland, Sweden, and Moldova. Guests have come from as far as Chile and Brazil, too! Who can forget the legendary concerts at the Chicago Accordion Club through the years starring Art Van Damme, Frank Marocco, and Dick Contino. 


The loyal members of the CAC include both amateur and professional accordionists, as well as non-playing music fans and players of other instruments. Local greats among others such as John Simkus, Mike Alongi, Jerry Cigler, John Steciw, and Lenny Leto are regulars at our meetings and shows. Other regulars through the years have included wonderful accordionists like Stas Venglevski, Sean O'Donnell, Jim Merola, Frank Yakoubek, Ed Smollen, Gary Edgren, Bobbie Edler, Gene Kolasny, Tom Mara,  Richard Smrha, Eddie Korosa, Frank Rossi, Bob Hoge, and so many others. Be a part of the CAC!

The legendary Dick Contino performing at the CAC.

The legendary Dick Contino performing at the CAC.

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Chicago Accordion Club

Ensemble Concert

September 18, 2023

The CAC Ensemble is ready to present their concert in its’ entirety, after the five rehearsals during pre-meeting music time. First-time director Gary Edgren has selected a cache of songs sure to take you back through the 20th century, mixing up marches, swing, love songs and folk. You will recognize some of the pieces, and others will be delightfully pleasing even if you may have never heard them. The individual talents have been melded together to produce a full orchestral sound. This and past issues of the Accordiana have given you the musical backgrounds of our performers. This will be the evening when their collective histories join together to make beautiful music. Please join us for the moment in time!