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(New) Washington Post Review May 17,
2001 |
Born in
Concepcion, Chile, Manuel Bobenrieth began studying the accordion at age five.
He studied at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland and received a Bachelor
of Music Degree in Performance from The Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C., becoming the first accordionist to graduate with such a
degree from that institution.
Mr. Bobenrieth has performed in
many different musical contexts including Broadway musicals, Contemporary Music
Forum and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. He has appeared with
legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd in a tribute to the music of jazz
accordionist Art Van Damme. He can also be heard on the soundtrack to the
Discovery channel television series, "The Great Chefs" as a guest artist with
the Charlie Byrd Trio. Recently, The Manny Bobenrieth Sextet was featured at
the world famous Blues Alley Jazz Club and performed to a sold out audience. As
accordionist for Norwegian Caribbean Lines from 1984-1986, Mr. Bobenrieth
toured Europe and the Caribbean aboard the SS Norway.
In 1986, Mr. Bobenrieth became a
member of the United Stated States Army Band. As the accordionist with the Army
Strolling Strings, he has performed for three Presidents, including Ronald
Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton at numerous White House State Dinners in
honor of foreign dignitaries such as Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev,
Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Boris Yeltsin, King Hussein, the Emperor of
Japan and Nelson Mandela. In addition to his performing duties, Mr. Bobenrieth
has written many arrangements for the Army Strings, which have been featured at
the State Department, the Vice President's residence and The White House.
More about
the Manny Bobenrieth Ensemble |
