Rees Wesson - timeline 1974 – Mike James turned up at our folk club with a melodeon. I was smitten. Bought a Hohner Pokerwork for £30 and off I went. Learned to play on the night shift in a cheese factory in West Wales. Early influences, Rod Stradling of The Old Swan Band and Reg Hall of The Rakes, then Oscar Woods and Percy Brown. Discovered Sidmouth Festival. Spent much time in Wales, the West Country, East Anglia and elsewhere talking to the older generation of musicians. 1984 – Began importing Castagnari instruments and fixing up old Hohner accordions. 1988 – Went to Italy and Louisiana to meet accordion builders. Started trading at UK festivals. 1989 – Joined Edward the Second and the Red Hot Polkas. Much touring in Europe and America. Regular trips to Italy and Ireland to meet makers and players. Began teaching melodeon. Honed my tuning skills to a professional standard. 1992 – Formed Joe Le Taxi Zydeco Band. 2007 – Started building single row accordions (melodeons, same thing). I was a skilled engineer, wood was different! Steep learning curve. Pictures on my website Gallery at www.melodeons.com 2026 – Joined Pogue McClone. Joe Le Taxi is now 34 years old. I have a new ceilidh band, May Contain Nuts. I'm still playing gigs of all types. Currently recording another CD of folk tunes.
Rees' links:
Website | Bandcamp | Joe Le Taxi | Willie Badger | Facebook
Replay Rees' Melinar tutorial:
https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/melinar-rees-in-171004965
Livestream concert from my kitchen!
Grace Smith Trio + Archie Churchill-Moss 29th November:
https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/
Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Absolute Beginners L1 October 31st:
Intro & outro music:
'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.
Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':
www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com
Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk
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