Michael Zampiceni
7 reviews- Hayward, CA
- Accordion Player
- Travels up to 120 miles
- $100 and up
Overview
My extensive repertoire includes playing and singing American standards from the 30’s to the 70’s, European, Latin, jazz, and classical music. I have a B.A. and M.A. in music from San Jose State University. I perform as a soloist, as a duet, or as part of a trio. I have over 40 years of entertainment experience in the following types of events:
Ethnic events, such as Italian festivals, Octoberfests, Bastille Day, St. Patrick's day
Seasonal celebrations, such as July 4th, Christmas, and Valentine's Day
Wedding services and receptions, dances, grand openings, birthday parties, corporate events, accordion festivals, and conventions
References and endorsements are available.
7 Reviews
Michael Zampiceni is everything we had hoped for when hiring an Italian accordionist. He’s a very skilled musician, timely, communicative, humble, very Italian in his delivery as we’d hoped and his voice is quite charming! He receives 10 stars for being intuitively sensitive to the responsiveness of the audience, this was a event)! His rates were better than most, very reasonable! We’d hire him again!!!
Accordion Player
Response from Michael Zampiceni:
Sharon,
Thank you so much for your glowing review. For potential clients interested in my musical services, I also perform other European music, such as French, German, and Irish, as well as Latin and American standards from the 1930s through 1970s. I'm also an operatically trained singer, and sing and play some of my repertoire as well.
We hired Michael to play the accordion for my noni's 90th birthday celebration, and he did an amazing job! Prior to the party, he asked me some of my noni's favorite songs, and he ended up playing (and singing along with) many of them for her that night. That kind of attention to detail and personalization was very much appreciated. Michael was easy to work with. He was professional and prompt with his communication leading up to and during the party. He did a little birthday medley towards the end of the evening which was fun and entertaining for our guests. Having him there added so much joy to this special occasion ~ Thank you, Michael!
Accordion Player
Photos from this event
I hired Music Mike last month to surprise my husband at his 40th birthday party. My husband grew up loving accordion music, and Mike did not disappoint. He was responsive through communication, thorough in making our surprise plan, arrived on time, and entertained all our guests from little kids to older adults. He took requests, played a special birthday song for my husband, and sang and played songs for the kids. We were very pleased with Mike, and I would recommend him to anyone inquiring his services. Thanks Mike!
Accordion Player
Response from Michael Zampiceni:
Katie,
I'm ecstatic that you were so pleased with my entertainment services, and I hope I have the opportunity to perform for you again sometime.
From Esther:
My husband of over 50 years passed, this event was a celebration of his life. He LOVED the ACCORDION!!
Michael's is so kind, so in tuned to all those in attendance at the funeral reception. He was very cautious to keep the music appropriate, quiet and calm, for the event. YET, he received requests for polkas, singing and increase of volume after the event was on its way. He met those requests. He has incredible skills as a player and singer. We were more than happy we hired him :) Bless you Michael!
Accordion Player
Michael , Was wonderful. It was a surprise for my wife and guests to have an accordion player at my wedding reception. When the guests started coming in from the ceremony Michael was playing what I had requested which was French accordion music. Everyone was surprised and delighted to hear him play. While we were taking photos before coming in the DJ came out to go over a few things and said "Michael is killing it in there" His words not mine .
Once again thank you Michael for making our wedding so memorable.
Eric T Swanson
Accordion Player
Response from Michael Zampiceni:
Eric,
I'm gratified that my objective of providing quality, uplifting, and amiable entertainment resulted in a rewarding experience for your wedding party.
Best wishes,
Music Mike
We hired Michael for our annual Oktoberfest, an event to show our appreciation to our customers. Not only did he play great music for the occasion, he sang some of the songs as well! Everyone attending the festival loved Michael.....we hope he will come back next year and do it again. We highly recommend Michael Zampiceni!
Accordion Player
Response from Michael Zampiceni:
Patty,
Thank you for your positive feedback, and I'm gratified that you and your customers were pleased with my musical services.
Music Mike
Mike Zampiceni played for my daughters wedding and it was a delight to have him "roving" the area and entertained the guests with numerous selections. He played a waltz for the father and bride dance which was picked up by the other musicians and gigged with the other musicians giving a festive atmosphere to the occasion.
Accordion Player
Response from Michael Zampiceni:
Alan,
Thanks very much for providing this review. It was an interesting wedding, in that Italian and Jewish families were represented, and I was able to play solo repertoire for both. My versatility also enabled me to sing a few ethnic songs during the reception, and later sit in with the jazz band that played. I'm pleased that my services met your utmost expectations.
Booking Info
Price Range: $100 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
Unions: AFM
Website: Visit website
Phone Number: Call
About
I was raised with accordions from birth. My father, Joseph Zampiceni, was a noted accordionist, teacher, composer, arranger, and accordion music publisher, so accordions were part of the Zampiceni household from day one. I began formal study of the piano at age 7, then the accordion at age 8, and had my first series of paid engagements at the age of 11 when I played for San Jose area parades on the back of a promotional flatbed truck.
When I was 14, I advanced to my father’s orchestra where I played either the accordion or drums. I began leading my own band at the age of 17 when I joined the musician’s union. During high school I discovered I had a beautiful tenor voice, and was encouraged by my choral teacher to compete in a regional high school music competition. After winning first place in the vocal category, I started taking voice lessons at 16. I received the Bank of America Achievement Award in music upon graduating from high school.
I entered San Jose State University as a music major. My performance concentrations were voice, piano, and organ. After graduating with a B.A. in music, I returned after a year and worked on an M.A. in music. It was during this time that I was chosen as tenor soloist with the San Jose Symphony in a performance of a Bach cantata.
After teaching, performing, and selling pianos and organs for about five years, I decided that I needed to switch careers and became a technical writer for thirty years before retiring in 2014. Nevertheless, I had never left the music profession and continued to play engagements and teach students. For example, I've played for special performances with accordion selections in the San Jose Symphony and San Jose Civic Light Opera, and have also twice appeared as a guest artist at the renowned Cotati Accordion Festival.
VENUES:
Accordionists and Teachers Guild Festival - Chicago
Concert artist, clinician, and adjudicator - 2017
Leavenworth Accordion Festival - Washington
Concert artist, clinician, and adjudicator - 2016
Las Vegas Accordion Convention
Concert artist and clinician - 2016
Cotati Accordion Festival
Concert artist - 1998 and 1999
Tee Nee Thai - San Jose
Weekend entertainer - 2015 to present
Paesano Restaurant - San Jose
Weekend entertainer - 2012 to 2016
Isabella's Italian Seafood Restaurant - Monterey
Weekend entertainer - 2010 to 2012
A' Bellagio Restaurant - Campbell
Weekend entertainer - 2001 to 2004
Di Cicco's Restaurant - San Jose
Weekend entertainer - 1999 to 2009
Additional Booking Notes
I'm an acoustical player, but my instrument is also electrified for amplification when necessary.
Past Booked Events
| March 11, 2018 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| December 14, 2017 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Corporate Event |
| December 01, 2017 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm | Christmas Party |
| November 04, 2017 • 5:00pm - 5:45pm | Wedding Reception |
| October 19, 2017 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Cocktail Party |
| October 14, 2017 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | House Party |
| October 07, 2017 • 4:30pm - 9:00pm | House Party |
| October 06, 2017 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Dinner Party |
| October 06, 2017 • 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Festival |
| September 09, 2017 • 5:00pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
| September 09, 2017 • 12:00pm - 4:00pm | Fair |
| September 03, 2017 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
| June 16, 2017 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Dinner Party |
| June 10, 2017 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| June 03, 2017 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
| April 01, 2017 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Fundraiser |
Influences & Inspiration
The great classical accordion masters of the past, such as Charles Magnante and Pietro Deiro
The great jazz masters of the past, such as Art Van Damme and Frank Morocco, as well as current artists Richard Galliano and Cory Pesaturo
Classical music symphonic composers, particularly of the 19th century romantic era
Stan Getz and the Brazilian bossa nova movement of the early 1960's
Setup Requirements
No special set-ups are required.
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