“The San Francisco Bay Area is home to legendary accordion maestro, Lou Jacklich. In the 50s he launched the successful Lou Jacklich School of Music in Castro Valley. With over 75 years playing professionally and teaching he has performed at every venue imaginable – private and public. One of his many students is Tibor Sárkány, a member of the Hungarian community around the San Francisco Bay Area, who has been studying accordion with the master for four years, and who admits that the harmonica is "a remedy for homesickness because it is always with me and I can take it out when I need it."

Presently Lou Jacklich is a jam band leader of the SFAC, performer and accordion instructor.”

“Lou Jacklich is now semi-retired but still practices at least 4-6 hours daily, teaches, creates jazz arrangements and entertains.  He has received prestigious honors recognizing his contributions in leadership, teaching, performance and community service.  In 2014 he received the first San Francisco Accordion Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his dedication to the accordion profession.  In 2016 he was named the Cotati Accordion Festival’s Honorary Directory.  Also, that year at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention he was honored as a co-recipient of the inaugural Art Van Damme Educator’s Award.”

Source: Lou Jacklich, An Accordionist’s Accordionist by Pamela Tom

More about the maestro and his music: Lou Jacklich's YouTube page

Event organized by Éva Szabó