New York City's Last Accordion Repairman
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Alex Carozza has been building and repairing accordions in New York City since 1960. The last craftsman of his kind in the city, Alex is the living memory of a once vibrant musical culture that has all but disappeared from New York. This is the story of a true classic.
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In 2011, I took a one-month vacation in New York City, and I brought my malfunctioning accordion because I "knew" I could find a repairman in New York City. To my surprise, there only seemed to be a few places I could try. I ended up at Alex Carozza's place. I figured I'd have to leave my bass section with him for some untold amount of time (because, you know, instrument repair shops...). Well, he spent about two minutes teasing me about the previous attempted repair while he looked at it. Then he handed it back to me, fixed.
"Wow!" I said. "How much do I owe you?"
"Ten thousand dollars," he said. "Or nothing!"
We took a photo, which I now treasure.
One thing the article didn't mention -- Carozza's shop is on the third floor (if I recall correctly) of a walk-up. His knees have some some work over the decades, carrying him up and down those stairs. Even more so for his assistant.
He closed the shop down on 48th and moved to a small office on 54th last month (December 2016)
Thanks for sharing. What a guy
So sad! An accordion is the only instrument which can sound like entire orchestra.
So beautiful and rewarding...
My favorite instrument is the Bandoneon and I also love accordions. Very underrated
No, organ can too
In 2013 I was gifted a beautiful old accordion that needed some minor fixing. I had no case or anything for it, so I schlepped it on the subway from Brooklyn up to Alex's shop. Not only did they fix it for me while I waited, but they did it for nothing (even though I insisted on paying). Oh, and then Alex went and got a case for my accordion...and refused payment for that, too. I still get teary when I think about how kind he and his staff were to me that day.
Too bad this is only 2 minutes long.
It did end abruptly, was waiting for a solid 15-minute video at least.
They look like they're in their 60s...
Given Name Family Name Alex Is 88 years old And the other 93 bro. They aint 60 year old.
OMG How dumb are you Juan ?
@@juancarlosmoreno6509 he said LOOKS like 😂
Good Italian genes.
I just want to thank you for commenting on the internet using correct [there/their/they're]s.
I appreciate this video, and I will remember this man fondly. I cherish the photo of me and him, cheek to cheek, after I bought I new accordion from him. I meant to bring in my old Paolo Saproni, but alas, I waited too long. This store will be remembered, one of the last treasures of real New York City.
I feel like I need an accordion now
It is a fun and flexible instrument. It has a steep learning curve though.
It's very fun.
Go ahead, just look for what kind of music you want to play with the accordion, its a very fun instrument
@@quigpig455 expensive though, mine was like $200 used with one bass voice and two treble voices. It also wasn't really a high end accordion either.
@@astrocandy148 what kind of accordion was it?
I miss Alex! Every time I see this I want to cry. West 48th Street, Music Row, which was once the most wonderful street in the world, is now utterly transformed... Alex is gone, Sam Ash, Manny's, Rudy's... none of them left... my street of dreams, gone... gone... gone... Best Wishes to Alex, regardless, Happy Retirement!!!
Oh my gosh, I just saw this video and no chance to visit those amazing people . 😭
Some years ago, I sent a reed block from my circa 1965 Giulietti accordion for repair. He commented, "hey these-a reeds are from a nice-a box!" It would take years of apprentice with someone like this to learn a fraction of what he knows. Once artisans like this are gone, we'll really be seeing the end of an era in the U.S.
What a adorable couple those 2 laughing wise men....to see this here, it save my day., if you have any harm or trouble, dont go to the hospital, just visit them ..;)
hallo from lake constance / germany...
Good health to Alex Carozza and his team I will never meet the man but I send best wishes to such a good and committed repairman and artist.He is of a declining breed and as an accordion player I wish him well.
my father in law is an accordion repair tech down here in Florida. Being a rocker/guitar player, I didn't appreciate how rare this type of work is....Mr Carozza seems to be so full of life. What an awesome job
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artists, true talents and treasures
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What a wonderful Chanel this is. Really loving all of these videos.
David Blane I've been staring at your comment for about an hour now, but i just can't figure out the meaning of what your trying to tell me. Would you care to elaborate?
Thank you very much. Both guys look great don't they? Clap clap clap for u both. It sounded great !!
Can I just say that they look great for their age.
Love this guy
0:28 What a backdrop!
I remember when it was time for me to learn a musical instrument (10-12 years was the usual, if not a little late to master an instrument like The Violin, and many of the other stringed instruments, which is what I wanted to play, if not just because we had a German violin made in 1725 in our store-room that I swore to play)
But, although I had beautiful longer-than-usual tendrils of fingers on each hand, I also was a year into a diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, that came with hand and leg braces. No guitar, No bass guitar, and NO Violins!
But?...I might be very good at Accordion, as I was born ambidextrous, and you have to be able to do two different movements at once on each hand.The swelling on my hands didn't harbor too many problems, and at 12, I was winning trophies competing in gorgeous ballrooms and chateau chambers, playing my mock purple mother-of-pearl finish, with all minor keys made of what almost looked like amber traffic/car lights.
It was a beauty.
I kept it for a long time, moving on to other instruments in my teens. I finally sold it to an adult (I always played adult size), and...kind of wish--just because of it's style and colors, along with memories, of course--I would have kept it. But? It made someone very happy, and now it travels with a psychedelic band that cherishes and plays it like it was meant to be.
Don't knock the accordion...It made Weird Al Yankovic...
We’ve got a great repair person here in Chicago and the business has been around 100 plus years
I hope that this coming year I will see Alex in his shop. I need a good used accordion and I will buy it from him. The MASTER HIMSELF !!!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
It's permanently closed😢
He is not the last one. Maybe from old guards. There is some more accordion repair guys keep this still alive.
What are some other places you recommend?
Damn I need to get an accordion before all are left are broken ones that can never be repaired
Fantastic to see this man after a long time ago.....
Great man always a pleasure serving your table mr carroza
My accordion of 50 yrs is finally in need of repair! I hope I can find Alex Carozza easily - there aren't any accordion repair shops in my neighborhood. If anyone has any information on where to find him, please let me know - I'm googling, but cannot find his shop. I hope he's still around ~ he seems honest & really knows his business. Charming - Bravo, Alex!
A wonderful shop. Pasquale took care of my Guild acoustic for years. Top notch work. Miss this place.
Have visited his store in New York twice, he and other stuff were really kind
So many wonderful sentiments expressed in the older comments. Alex certainly is charming, but I won't go back to him. This is not because as he says in the video, he fixes accordions right, but because he fixes them wrong. Mine sat on his bench for weeks. Then with my gig deadline fast approaching, he rushed through the work, did it poorly, didn't do what I asked, and excused it because he had other local people coming in with their needs. Va fa Napoli!
What a charming life!!!
What a fantastic story.
This is so great
There was another accordion repair shop in the Lower East Side until late last year. I had no idea that it was the second to last one.
wish the stories could be 2 hours+ long. so interesting!
I love these instruments
Wonderful to see.
I hope his business became a worldwide. Because in my country, we don't have a person that can fix an accordion.
I will have to come here at some point.... Would love to know more..
Lovely story ❤️
Are they still open? Tried to find it.. but can't? Anyone help?
They closed about 7 years ago and I heard that he died already.
Golden two men
We all know he's going to pass away with a room full of accordions that no one knows how to reassemble again.
GOD I LOVE YOU AND YOUR PARTNER IN ACCORDION CRIME,, HAHAHA WOW 88 AND 93 I LOVE YOU SO MUCH A REAL NEW YORK STORY FOR SURE,, THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU ,,, KNOWING EVERY BELLOW OF THE WINDS OF AN ACCORDION! GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILIES LEGACY!
Bel mestiere. Senza di voi noi fisarmonicista non possiamo suonare.
Niks fancy werkplaats... Liefde voor je werk en het instrument, dat is het!
There are absolutely no more accordion repair shops in NYC. Not a single one. Unbelievable.
He’s not in business anymore?
@@edwinsalau150 - Store closed. He died a few years later i believe.
@@Izakokomarixyz May he rest in peace.
Very nice!!
Very cool!
Full documentary please.
This guys a living legacy.
Looks like a yesterday huh?
never met an accordion player that I didn't like.
We have in Greece too
they're enjoying life way more than I am
My dad works for him
Está tienda sigue?
Nice
Is there anybody can tell me if this place still open? Plz
what gentlemen happy content fellows craftsmen champions
Well I'm macedonian so evyrone I know has and knows how to fix an accordion😂😂
I want to own an accordion so I can have this guy repair it! De Nadal!
I like accordions but I don't have one :(
hello I'm from Indonesia, can you help me to get a sales link for Reeds accordion? thank you🙏
@ 1:48 Now I have all your secrets, can I become like you???
I have to meet Alex, next I'm in NY.
Hello Mr Alex Carozza s my name is John Goes I have a sonola accordion it needs tuning could you tell me how much it would cost O by the way I am 74 years old and I am Portugues thank you.
Does this operation still exist???Let me know!!
No
...I BELIEVE YOU-!!!
anyone knows what happened to the accordion repair shop that was in the LES or Chinatown? I forgot the name....but it was still there in 2010
I think you're talking about the Main Squeeze on Essex Street. The guy who ran the shop (Walter Kuhr) died several years ago and the shop closed down. Very sad.
Cant believe he is 88 looks like he is still in he's 60's
1:15, Larry King's cousin?
What type of face cream are they using?
Isn’t it a legal requirement that every time an accordion is shown on TV Weird Al has to be in the shot, too?
I realy. The video#100
Why doesn't he have an apprentice?
Were you. Location. Please. You. Address please.
Hi , Carlos , please !
We're new address accordeon repair in New-York ?!
Tell me please !
Victor.
He's so spry for his age. I hope i'll just as spry when I get to that age...Well hopefully medical science will be advanced enough by then...
Accordions are my culture and proud that its my Mexican culture
Nobody is gonna talk about his resemblance to Martin Short? Ok...
first
+Brad T You win!
Brian Lee wut I get
+Brad T chicken dinner