Art Van Damme
American jazz accordionist who shaped a distinctive small-group sound with guitar and vibraphone.
- Years
- 1920–2010
- Country
- United States
- Instrument
- Jazz accordion
Art Van Damme was born in Michigan in 1920 and became a prominent American jazz accordionist. He played in clubs, recorded extensively and appeared on radio and television.
Pairing accordion with guitar and vibraphone, he developed a distinctive small-group jazz sound. His 1967 MPS albums Ecstasy and The Gentle Art of Art feature that quintet with bass and drums. According to MPS, he appeared on the cover of Down Beat in 1947, was voted top accordionist for ten consecutive years, and toured Europe about forty times.
Selected works, recordings and publications
- Ecstasy1967
A quintet recording with guitar and vibraphone, part of Van Damme's MPS sessions.
Release / publisherAlbum · MPS (1967)
Publication source - The Gentle Art of Art1967
Another MPS album by the Art Van Damme Quintet, continuing the accordion, guitar and vibraphone lineup.
Release / publisherAlbum · MPS (1967)
Publication source