As Lawrence Welk said: Conversation didn't seem necessary when I put the accordion down and swung some young lady around the floor".
I have been playing and performing with this fabulous & underrated instrument, as well as other keyboard instruments, for over 40 years. I perform all styles of music & my accordion,piano,organ styles can create the right mood for the appropriate occasion. Italian, French, Eastern European, American Folk, strolling entertainment, weddings, church choirs. I have performed in South America, Canada, China, many states in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I have accompanied pop stars from Lithuania, quartets from Los Angeles, and am part of of a folk duo: Eastlande
6 reviews
Ron L.
October 25, 2021Rimus strolled among our guests as they arrived for the event playing in the style of the Oktoberfest event. His appearance added greatly to the event.
Hired as: Accordion Player
Lissie L.
October 8, 2021Fantastic experience working w Rimas. Very talented musician and he made our party a success. Would definitely recommend!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Mark S.
October 8, 2019I hired Rimas for a unique gig involving a drive to New Paltz, NY and a hike up a mountain to play for my company's 10th annual offsite (over 100 people). Even though Rimas mentioned he never played a gig like this before, he approached the day with kindness, professionalism, and enthusiasm. He was determined to deliver a memorable and tailored experience for my company's offsite, and that is exactly what he did.
A few weeks later, and my employees still talk about that "awesome accordion player"!
I would without a doubt recommend Rimas to anyone looking for a versatile and talented musician.
Hired as: Accordion Player
Shannon P.
January 5, 2019Rimas was great to work with. It was a last minute thing, and he quickly got us a quote and was very responsive with questions. I didn't have much of a plan, but he helped put together a plan for the entrance/surprise, and then came prepared with plenty of music. He also plays the piano, so as a finale, he played my parents wedding song which was a huge hit. I can't recommend Bellows and Ivory enough. A fantastic evening!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Carrie W.
October 7, 2018Rimas was such a wonderful edition to our Oktoberfest celebration! Everyone loves his energy and we can’t wait to have him back next year!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English , German , Other
Gig length: 60 - 240 minutes
Authentic Music, Artistry, and a Wonderful Time....
Rimas has been playing piano & accordion since an early age; he has fond memories of sitting on stage, strapped to an accordion, and performing with his younger brother and sister at the Los Angeles, St. Casimir Lithuanian parish. He can recall the sacrifice of his mother as she drove him and his siblings to weekly accordion lessons in West Hollywood, and learning the techniques from a master who taught Garth Hudson of the Band and who was close friends with Myron Floren and Lawrence Welk.
Rimas’ early musical aptitude, and continued love for musical performance, is not surprising when one considers the musical background of his father: baritone with a Lithuanian – American men’s quartet for over 40 years & continued soloist and member of various choirs.
With many years of piano and accordion lessons behind him, Rimas ventured into the world of musical performance, starting as an accompanist for a Lithuanian folk dance group – Audra. Subsequent musical performance highlights in Los Angeles included accompanist for the Lithuanian men’s quartet, Lithuanian folk dance group Spindulys, soloist and accompanist for a stage production “Viva Europa”, member of the band “Rok & Shlock”, organist for the St. Casimir parish church choir.
Rimas’ keyboard performance offered him the opportunities to perform in Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, Germany, U.K., and Canada, and in many cities and locales in the U.S. Rimas has performed with pop stars from Lithuania, for the governor of California, and even at the Hollywood Palladium. Since moving to Conneticut in 2010, Rimas has formed a folk duo (Eastlande) and has performed on stages in Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and California. As a member of the Little Theater of Manchester, he was honored to be the 1st to play the built - in 1886 E. & G. G. Hook tracker organ, for a stage production at Cheney Hall.
This diverse and global exposure to music and musical performance has allowed Rimas to create the right mood for the right occasion: Italian, French, Eastern European, American Folk, Standards, Pop; even the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Free Bird" along with the guitar solos on the accordion…
Friday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
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Glastonbury, CT
Saturday
Wedding Reception
1:00pm - 3:00pm
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New Britain, CT
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 5:00pm
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Ellington, CT
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
5:00pm - 6:00pm
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Granby, MA
Thursday
Festival
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Newport, RI
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 8:30pm
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New Britain, CT
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Watertown, CT
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
12:00pm - 2:00pm
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Bennington, VT
Sunday
Birthday Party
5:30pm - 6:30pm
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Avon, CT
Saturday
Festival
11:00am - 1:00pm
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Bennington, VT
Saturday
Holiday Party
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Thomaston, CT
a Vie en Rose
Under Paris Skies
Besame Mucho
Guantanamera - Jamaica Farewell
Eidelweiss - Sound of Music
Charade - Around the World
Satin Doll
Lady in Spain
Fly Me to the Moon
Never on a Sunday
O Sole Mio - Santa Lucia - 3 Coins in a Fountain
More
Can't Help Falling in Love
Blue Moon
On the Street That You Live
The Weight - The Band
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Girl from Ipanema - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Yesterday - Something - While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Let it Be - the Beatles
Good Lovin' / La Bamba / Twist & Shout Medley
Mrs. Robinson/Sounds of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
My Way / Something Stupid / Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is / Color My World - Chicago
On My Own - Les Miserables
Try To Remember - The Fantasticks
Aquarius - Hair
Sunrise Sunset - Fiddler on the Roof
Mame - Mame
Summertime - Porgy & Bess
Don't Cry for Me Argentina - Evita
What I Did for Love - Chorus Line
Send in the Clowns - Little Night Music
Tomorrow - Annie
Memory - Cats
The Impossible Dream - Man of La Mancha
La Paloma
Beer Barrel Polka
Pennsylvania Polka
Tea For Two
Tinker Polka
Por Una Cabeza
Spanish Eyes
Clarinet Polka
Sway
Liechtensteiner Polka
La Cumprasita
Abondono
Libertango
Too Fat Polka
From ABBA to Aerosmith to the Beatles to Billy Holiday to Leonard Bernstein to Beethoven to Cat Stevens to Chicago to Chopin to Crosby to Clapton to Sinatra to Stravinsky to Supertramp to the Rolling Stones to Willie Nelson, and list goes on and on and on...
Accordion Player
