Critics refer to Nick Ariondo as “the Yehudi Menuhin of the accordion”.
The Los Angeles Times says ...“a force to be reckoned with!”...“the irrepressible avant-garde accordionist!”.... "Preeminent L.A. accordionist" ...”infinitely expressive and technically dazzling!”
Times Media Group says "(Ariondo) has a resume most musicians would envy ... others may say the world -renowned accordionist's success comes down to talent."
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, USA ~ received BA/MA Degrees in Music Performance & Composition/Cal State Univ. Los Angeles, CA ~ 25 ASCAP Awards for his compositions/performances ~ onstage with opera legend Placido Domingo in Daniel Catan's "IL Postino"/L.A. Opera world premiere ~ studio session work at Capitol Records with Paul McCartney, Michael Buble ~
Double Grammy A
ward winner with
the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra ~ played on Oscar-winning
film score 'Life of Pi' /composer Mychael Danna ~ featured
soloist, Disney Hall with Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat/L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra ~ cameo on-screen appearance in award-winning film 'Bridesmaids' ~ first American to receive Italy's Ancona/Castelfidardo Prize for his chamber music ~ inclusion in the International Who's Who in Music/14th Edition, Cambridge, England ~
1990 Artists Fellowship Grant recipient/California Arts Council ~ composer/arranger of numerous works cataloged with ACCO-Music Publishing/ASCAP ~ diverse musical background includes classical to modern contemporary, jazz, gypsy, multi-ethnic world styles ~ his accordion is heard on film soundtracks with composers John Powell, Randy Newman, Mychael/Jeff Danna, Danny Elfman, Joseph Trapanese, Chris Young, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, Joel McNeely, Dan Romer and others ~ Ariondo's arrangements of Russian folk songs were featured in Warren Beatty's film "Love Affair", music by Ennio Morricone (1994, Warner Bros.) . . .
In concert, Nick performs his original compositions & arrangements in solo recital, with orchestra, chamber music ensembles & vocalists throughout Southern California and abroad ~ his videos can be viewed on his Youtube channel: nickariondo1. A pioneer in his field, Nick Ariondo continues to inspire audiences while exploring new avenues and innovative techniques through his music.