- Born
- Died
- Art Van Damme was born on April 9, 1920 in Norway, Michigan, USA. He died on February 15, 2010 in Roseville, California, USA.
- He was an American jazz accordionist.
- Van Damme toured Europe and was popular with jazz enthusiasts in Japan.
- He formed a quintet with several of his studio colleagues, and recorded his first album, for the small label, Music Craft, in 1944.
- "Accordion a la Mode" may be his best album, although "A Perfect Match," in which he pairs with the fine jazz guitarist Johnny Smith, is a favorite among fans of what's been called "light jazz.".
- Van Damme's introduction of the accordion as a featured jazz instrument was well-received critically, and in 1947, Downbeat magazine put his photo on the cover of one of their issues. He would go on to voted "Top Accordionist" in Downbeat's annual poll of jazz musicians for ten years in a row. Later, he was similarly recognized by Contemporary Keyboard magazine for five years in a row.
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