They say that Richard Galliano (Cannes, France, 1950) changed the history of the accordion when he put it into musical contexts where it had previously been ignored, like jazz festivals and classical music halls. The musical emphasis he uses to treat the melody, rhythm and harmony have made him a reference and source of inspiration for accordion players world-wide.  His style reflects diverse influences that range from French music, jazz, and Mediterranean sounds to Italian rhythms, classical repertoire, and more recently, South American music.
In 1983, he initiated a friendship with the bandoneon player and composer Astor Piazolla, with whom he carried out important projects. His long list of musical collaborations includes other figures, such as Chet Baker, Ron Carter, Charles Aznavour, Michel Petrucciani, Al Foster, Enrico Rava and Toots Thielemans.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Havana, Cuba, 1963) is one of the most notable Afro-Cuban jazz pianists on the scene in the last 20 years. With elegance, versatility and surprising technique, he perfectly blends Cuban rhythms with American influences to form a powerful combination of innovative sound. The trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and the double-bass player Charlie Haden quickly noticed him, protected him and accompanied him during his training as leader.
In 2001, Rubalcaba was awarded a Grammy for the best Latin Jazz album for Supernova. Since 2002, along with pianist Chucho Valdés, he’s a resident artist at the Montreal Festival.

www.richardgalliano.com
www.g-rubalcaba.com