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Playing for Edsel Ford

by Joe Recchia

July 2011 since we took in my Uncle Tony Dannon 3 years ago, I stated playing the accordion again mainly for Uncle but it was to the point where I was starting to get accordion jobs at restaurants and recently I have been booking many Mansion Parties here in the Detroit, Grosse Point area just as my Uncle Tony and Grandfather had done in the past; it is a great honor!

Back in July of 2011 night a job I will never forget….the gentlemen that owned the home and who hired me knew about my Grandfather working & playing the accordion for Mr. Henry Ford and was telling many people at the party about my Grandfather and I. He then did something very special…he introduced me to Henry Ford’s Great Grandson Edsel Ford and his wife Cynthia, I was in awe…I could not believe it!….I played several songs that my Grandfather had played for Henry Ford and we talked about the old mansion parties. Edsel and Cynthia said what a great legacy this is to be together and knowing our Grandfather’s new each other through the Accordion! He asked me for 2 of my business cards and we took a photo. I felt as though my Uncle Tony Dannon and my Grandfather were with me the whole night and I just knew that they would be very proud that I am keeping the accordion tradition and legacy going.

I also attached a photo of my Grandfather Augostino D’Annunzio (Tony Dannon’s father) with the accordion that Mr. Henry Ford had custom built for him by the International Accordion Company in Detroit back in 1933. This Accordion is still with our family today.