Ettore Eugene ( 1921 - 1985 )

Eugene Ettore was an American accordeonist, pianist and composer. He was born on June 2nd, 1921 to an Italian immigrant family of musicians. His father was an accordeon teacher who also played the accordeon in Vaudeville shows int the early 1900's.

At the age of four Eugene took lessons on the banjo, ukelele and the guitar. One year later his father started to teach him how to play the accordeon. His father also put his son under the capable guidance of teachers who gave him a solid grounding in solfege, harmony, composition and musical appreciation.

While in high school Eugene Ettore also studied the French horn, which he continued to play his entire life. He eventually became principal French horn in several orchestras. His good musical foundation and the running of his own trio formed the sollid base for his further musical carreer. WW II gave him wider practical experience, while he was playing in Military and Dance bands and had the responsability of running a Special Services Radio Show Quintet.
Before the war ended he took over the direction of the Nunzio Accordeon School, while Charles Nunzio was still serving in the US Navy. At the same time he went on with his studies of theory and harmony and he continued his composing acitvities.
Eugene Ettore was a person with many interests: in 1968 he started a two years course to Volunteer Braille Transcriber and in 1970 he was certified by the Library of Congress as a Braille transcriber. 
Ettore also became a master piano technician, not only tuning pianos but also rebuilding them, which made him well known for his excellent work.
As he was a strong believer in the Power of Positive Thinking, Eugene Ettore taught his students methods of focusing, concentrating and relaxing, which helped them in preparation of accordeon competions but also in the everyday life.

Ettore specialized in composing original works for 120 bass accordeon and bayan. He arranged music for accordeon solo and accordeon groups and he wrote method books for accordeon, French horn, recorder and melodica. He was the chief editor and arranger for Pietro Deiro Publications from 1955 to 1965.
From 1952 till 1955 and from 1963 to 1965 Ettore was President of the American Accordionist Association. He was Vice President of the Accordion Teachers Association of New Jersey from 1959 to 1960.

Many of his compositions were commisioned works. His arrangements included concertos, concert solos, duets, polkas, marches, etc.
Works for accordeon

Bambi Samba
Spanish Holiday
Tema e Variazioni
Butterfly Fantasy
Samba Polka
Bass 'n Boogie
Amelia
Tarantella Abruzzese
Fuggi Polka
Ettore's Etude
Schools Out
Musette Polka
Junos
Springtime Caprice
Sources:
http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/pearl/pearl02.htm
http://www.accordions.com/memorials/mem/ettore_eugene/
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