Steve Roxton

STEVE ROXTON ON THE ONE SHOW JAN 2012

SteveRoxton — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:18:49 +0000

Middlesbrough based accordionist /vocalist received a standing ovation when he appeared on prime time televisions popular show hosted by Chris Evans and Louise Minchin. It was nostalgia all the way as the presenters, along with special guests Giles Brandreth, Ray Winstone, and Martin Freeman, acting as judges, gave acts that had won “Opportunity Knocks” back in the 1970′s, the chance to show the world “THEY STILL HAD IT“. With only a 30 second slot each, to impress an invited studio audience of mixed ages, from all walks of life, that they were still top entertainers, it was a real test of their ability. Unlike many TV programmes which are pre-recorded. “The One Show” goes out live so it’s one chance only. Short clips of the original “Opportunity Knocks” performance were shown before each artiste performed, and Steve’s wife Maggie was again in the audience as she had been in 1978. Still his inspiration and support.

Steve dubbed The English Verchuren

PeterBeaumont — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:32:42 +0000

Middlesbrough based accordionist/vocalist STEVE ROXTON impressed some 600 French devotees of the instrument at the 1st “Festval d’Accordeon, held in Avranches Normandy, with his performances on each night of the event. The weekend of the 14th and 15th March attracted well over 1,000 visitors to the Salle Victor Hugo, keen to listen and dance to the elite of the French accordion scene.The festival featuring both current and former world ,and European champions which included JEAN DAUVIN, JEAN-MARC TORCHY,JOCELYNE DANIEL & MICHEL LEMENAGER, was headed by non other than the legendary king of “bal musette” himself, ANDRE VERCHUREN, whose record sales top 70 million. At 88 years of age he gave anoutstanding concert on the final night, as he sang and played his hits to an audience many of whom had gathered around the stage see this remarkable performer. Halfway through his performance the organiser Daniel Dolley invited Steve on to the stage to be introduced to the master himself.

Steve who has followed Andre Vercheren’s career and studied French Bal Musette for many years, was overjoyed at this opportunity to meet his idol. “Whilst we were shaking hands the microphone was thrust in front of me to say something” said Steve, “For everyone in life special moments arrive, and for me this is one of them” he said, (In French of course) They then went on to play three well known musette pieces together, to the delight of the assembled crowd.

Steve’s rise to prominence in France was brought about through a chance meeting with ex world and european champion Jean Dauvin. During a twinning association event in St Helier Jersey with the Normandy town of Avranches, Steve was booked to play French accordion music and during his performance he was suddenly surprised to hear the sound of another accordion behind him duetting perfectly with him. Steve and his wife Margaret, ran”Les Amis de l’Accordeon de Jersey, at that time, and immediatly booked this player for a concert the following month. Since that time Jean and Steve have appeared at venues and festivals both in the UK and France and have recorded a CD together “Entente Accordiale”. Asked during a conversation with Andre Vercheren how he had obtained such a high degree of technique with French musette music confessed to having listened to Andre’s LP’s at half speed to capture the intricasies of his style. During the meal after the concert Steve was formally dubbed “The English Verchuren”

After some 21 years in Jersey Steve and his wife Margaret are now back home in the North East where he presents his one man show which covers Irish, Scottish, German Bier Keller, Country & Rock’n Roll along with Old time sing-alongs and great ballads

Steve Roxton Serenades H.R.H Princess Anne At National Brewery Re-Launch

PeterBeaumont — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:05:16 +0000

On Tuesday 21st September 2010 Steve provided romantic continental music for the arrival of HRH Pricess Anne as she visited the newly re-opened National Brewery Centre at Burton-on-Trent. He followed the princess and her retinue as she inspected the dray horses and brewery museum exhibits.

STEVE JOINS THE INVITED GUESTS AS THE PRINCESS CONTINUES HER VISIT

Steve Records Backing Track For Bollywood Star

PeterBeaumont — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:43 +0000

Steve has just completed his contribution towards the recording of a new CD, by Anu Shuklar, the notable Bollywood singer. The album is for the Global Rootz label and is being produced by Kiran Thakrar, multi award winning Indian music producer and band leader of Bollywood Pandits. This Asian Fusion, adds another genre of international music styles to Steve’s vast repertoire of international music.

Accordion World

PeterBeaumont — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:59:36 +0000

For the second time Steve has featured on the cover of the leading accordion magazine ACCORDION WORLD which came out on the 1st March ’09 .(issue 02/09). He was last given this honour in May 2002. Following a huge success with his appearance at the Avranches Accordeon Festival starring Andre Verchuren and the elite of the French accordion players including Jean Dauvin, World & European Champion and Jean-Marc Torchy, he was also featured on the news on the leading accordion web-site www.accordions.com (w/c 3rd April) Following his performance at the festival he was dubbed the English Verchuren by those present (Full report below)

ACCORDION WORLD Magazine is available from

Karina Fodden 64 Church. St Church Gresley, Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9NP

6 issues per annum tel 01283 219725