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The Band
Alpine Squeeze! is made up of experienced musicians who have two things in
common. Their individual love and passion for music, and making their audiences happy
when playing as a group!
Each member of Alpine
Squeeze! has a variety of unique talents that when brought together, blend with
each other to produce an energy level not normally found in a small band.
As a group we are always sensitive to what our audience's hear...
not just in terms of sound level, but the quality and variety of songs that we
perform.
We hope you enjoy reading about the members of Alpine Squeeze!, and invite
you to contact us at any time! See you at the next festival!
Eric Baal - Band Leader, Accordion and Vocals
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 The
music "gene" comes from Eric's mother, who played the
accordion as well as the piano when she was a child. Eric
was six years old when he picked up an accordion
for the first time. Weekly
lessons with Frank Vance soon followed until age 14.
As a second generation American,
Eric's
German heritage brought him to his first "real" accordion job at Maxl's
Rathskeller Restaurant in White Plains, NY. Eric had the privilege
to play along side an excellent pianist and organ player by the name of
Shelly Daum. "Shelly taught me how to play the music that people wanted
to hear and dance to."
During the 1980's, the integrated
circuit and microchip were making their way into mainstream musical
instruments. At that time, he took the big leap to MIDI, which
stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
His goal was to blend the traditional reed sounds of the accordion with
the new sounds available through MIDI.
After leaving Maxl's, Eric found a new home
at the Bavarian Inn in Garrison, NY where he soloed there for ten years while
playing with some bands off and on. After the restaurant closed in
1996, he moved to the Black Forest Mill in Highland Mills, NY,
where patrons still enjoy listening and dancing to a wide variety of his music,
not to mention the traditional songs of Munich's Oktoberfest.
In 2000, Eric had the opportunity to
participate in the Y2K Accordion Celebration in Washington DC.
Sponsored by the American
Accordionist Association, accordionist's from all over the country
(and some from overseas) got to participate in workshops, and compete in
the various music tracks. Eric has won several awards over
the years including 2nd Place Polka Solo at the American Accordionist's
Association competition.
Whether performing solo or with the
Alpine Squeeze! band, Eric succeeds in presenting an even mix of
technology with the traditional sounds of the accordion. Although
the accordion may still suffer from a bit of "Lawrence Welkism," it
remains a passionate instrument which allows him to push the limits of
creativity each time he plays.
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Cherie Baal
- Vocals and Percussion
 Cherie
sings her heart out! All-County Choir in High School, lead
singer for "Wild Oats," (a Southern Rock Band in Westchester
County, NY in the 1980's), and a singing waitress during the
late 90's at various restaurants, Cherie brings her experience
and love for music to Alpine Squeeze! Cherie adds her talent
in several tracks of "Tropical Squeeze," Alpine Squeeze's debut
CD released in July, 2006. In addition to vocals, Cherie adds
excitement to the performances by getting audiences involved,
resulting in pure fun! As a duo, Eric and Cherie perform all of
their selections "live" with no pre-recorded midi files or
"karaoke" type songs. For smaller venues, Eric and Cherie are
sure to please any audience with their professional and creative
style.
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Joe Mariany
- Saxophone, Clarinet
 With
35 years experience in symphonic orchestra, wind ensemble,
chamber music, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, Dixieland bands,
German bands, Polish bands, music composition, orchestration,
arranging and music instruction, Joe is a true music
professional and Alpine Squeeze! is honored to have him on the
team. Joe has performed with some of the best bands in the
country including but not limited to the Florida Symphony
Orchestra, Walt Disney World Band, US military Academy Concert
Band, the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Al Martino and the Jersey
Knickerbockers.
Dana
Sylvander - Trumpet, Euphonium, Alphorn
 When
in the 10th grade near Pittsburgh, PA, Dana played his first
professional gig - playing Taps at military funerals
....and the rest is history! Although a trumpet major with
a BS degree from Juilliard, Dana has played virtually every
brass instrument except tuba.
Classically trained, he has played in numerous orchestras
throughout the NYC metropolitan area and many Broadway shows
throughout NJ.
Currently he is a member of the Garden State Band, the Imperial
Brass Band of NJ and the International Alphorn Society.
After getting teaching degrees at Columbia, he became an
orchestra director in the Tenafly, NJ School System.
In the
German/Polish polka field, Dana has played with no less than 15
different bands throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New
York. Most recently, he has played with the Schwarzenegger
Connection, Dominos International, the Ray Barno Orchestra and
the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra.
Bob Carapezza
- Drums
 Bob
has played many different styles of music including classic
rock, oldies, country and ethnic. He has worked with such people
as Kenny Laguna (of Joan Jett, Tommy James, Darlene Love, Bill
Medley and Tony Orlando fame) Kenny produced the first album by
Radio City 79 which Bob played on; Don Roeser, aka Buck Dharma
from Blue Oyster Cult; the Schwarzenegger Connection (Governor
Arnold's relatives); and, Manny Daum, international recording
and television star. One of Bob's top flight road gigs took
place in Atlantic City, playing the Taj Mahal's "Oktoberfest",
starring the guest of honor, and that year's NYC
Steuben
Society Parade's Grand Marshal, Mr. Donald Trump. Locally, Bob's
presence has graced the Harry Chapin Stage at Eisenhower Park
(with Manny Daum and the Schwarzenegger's), My Father's Place
of Roslyn (with Full Circle); and, the catering halls,
restaurants and bar rooms of the Greater NYC/LI area.
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