Trio Animato (Poland)
Harmonica ensemble Animato was created in Szczecin by Jerzy Grzesiukiewicz in 1978. Since 1992, the ensemble consists of three members who all play different harmonica instruments: Marek Jaroszyński (chromatic), Piotr Bieliński (chord harmonica) and Piotr Włodarczyk (bass harmonica). The ensemble is a laureate of Polish and international harmonica competitions. In 1996, they won the second place at the European Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany. In 1997, Animato won the first prize and the title of World Champion at the World Harmonica Festival in the same city with an outstanding performance. Since then, they have not participated in harmonica competitions, but have been invited to perform as guests at various music festivals in Poland and abroad, including Estonia.
From the beginning of their activity Animato have made efforts to popularize harmonica music, presenting technical possibilities and orchestral sound of this interesting, refined instrument. In their numerous concerts at home and abroad, they have tried to show that in harmonica has almost unlimited possibilities enabling them to play successfully every kind of music. The ensemble’s repertoire includes its own arrangements of various types of music, including popular classical music pieces, jazz and swing standards, pop music world hits, as well shanties and folk music from all over the world. Animato has recorded 3 CDs of diverse music, including the latest album titled “Animato in classic”.
http://animato.info.pl
https://www.facebook.com/animato1978?ref=hl
HamoAko (Japan)
Japanese musicians Nami Miyata (harmonica) and Rie Matsumoto (accordion) from Tokyo met over a glass of wine in a cafe in Paris. That’s how the duo HamoAko was born in 2008. From the “Bal-Musette” parties to the “Beaujolais Nouveau” wine festivals and concerts in France and Japan, HamoAko is more than happy to present their instruments in a great sonic affinity. The duo is listed among the musicians of the Paris Metro, it is regularly invited to the major Parisian “Guingettes” and “Paris Oktoberfest”.
https://www.facebook.com/HamoAkoParis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9qI70Mthc&ab_channel=HamoAkoChannel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bltfAd7pmGw&ab_channel=HamoAkoChannel