Ross Maio is a multi-award-winning accordionist. Without out a shadow of a doubt – he is the best Italian Accordion player in Sydney.

In 1995 he was awarded the MO Award for Best Variety Instrumentalist and became the first solo Accordionist to win this award.He was awarded the Australian Club Entertainment Award for Instrumental Act Of The Year in 1998, 2004 and 2007. In July 2008 Ross was asked to feature on accordion with a 65-piece orchestra at Sydney’s State Theatre to premiere the Godfather Symphony.

Ross was featured soloist at Opera House Concerts with Tommy Tycho and David Gray, and was the Royal Command Performance for the Prince and Princess of Kent. He has also performed numerous theme events for Coca-Cola, Toyota, McDonalds, Mercedes-Benz, The International Convention of Undertakers, The Gamblers International Convention.

In addition, Ross Maio + accordion has had countless TV appearances, has performed his accordion magic for commercials and radio plus the movie “The Hijacking of the Achille Lauro”.

Born on the beautiful island of Sicily, he immigrated to Australia with his mother in 1954, to reunite with his father who had moved here two years earlier. They were in search of a new life after the war. Who would have known he’d become the best Italian Accordion player in Sydney if not Australia!

He wanted an accordion but was forced to wait until he was 10 years old, when his relative brought a brand new (and small) accordion over from Italy. A Greek cafe-owner overheard the sounds of Maio’s magical playing and convinced his father to let him start gigging at 11 years old in the cafe.

For Ross, life has been rich in performance and travel opportunities including the Variety Club’s Royal Command Performance at the Sydney Opera House, in the presence of royal guests, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

His career has kept him constantly on the move, captivating audiences not only in the Australian club circuit, but also in leading hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore, The United Arab Emirates, New Caledonia, and Mauritius, as well as on cruise ships worldwide.

Ross’s undoubted natural talents present him as an entertainer of the highest calibre. He has that rare feel for show business. Ross Maio is a chameleon, a performer with the innate ability to change the mood of his audience. One minute he will take your breath away with his flashing virtuosity on the piano accordion just before you find yourself drowning in tears of laughter at his zany antics.
Even his peers refer to him as the best Italian Accordion player in Sydney.

Switch from Minstrel to Court Jester – Ross Maio Accordion is them all! He is a showman in the true sense of the word. Being totally self-contained, Ross can work in any place, any time and anywhere in the world. Or, if you prefer, he can bring the world to you with a musical excursion through Greece, France, Russia, Spain, Germany, or even his native Italy.

Dame Margot Fonteyn once said, “Great artists are people who find a way to be themselves in their art”. Ross Maio is a great artist. Catch him in the act.

See credit below and see what he’s known amongst many as one of the best Italian Accordion players in Sydney if not Australia!

Credits: WINNER OF THE AUSTRALIAN CLUB ENTERTAINMENT AWARD 1998 INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR Winner of the 20th MO AWARD for Best Variety Instrumentalist, awarded in1995 (first solo Accordionist to win this award). Nominated consistently for the Best Variety Instrumentalist since 1986. Accordion tuition by Enzo Toppano and Piano coaching with Isador Goodman.

Television: 1997 Performance on The Midday Show with Maria Venuti. 1996 July The Midday Show with combined International Accordion Orchestra. 1996 Today Show Channel 9, feature story on Accordion Extravaganza Night at the Marconi Club. Featuring 25 piece Ross Maio Accordion Orchestra plus special guest artist from Italy , reporter : Tony Biancotti. SBS Cabaret Series, with Tommy Tycho and Orchestra.

Commercials: (Audio ) She Magazine, Raguletto, and McDonalds. (Visual and audio) – Pizza Hut (Visual) – AMI Insurance Radio: RETE ITALIA, interviews and song promoting “The Squeezer” CD. ABC Radio National, interview with Louise Adler featuring the novel by Anne Proulx: “Accordion Crimes”.

Movies: “The Hijacking Of the Achille Lauro”. During the filming of the Achille Lauro, Karl Malden saved his life. It happened when three mean looking characters pounding into Ross were startled by Karl Malden who appeared out of no where and yelled out: “Okay boys, that’s enough , he’s learned his lesson”.

Tours: 1995 Performed and adjudicated at the New Zealand Federation of Accordionists’ National Competitions in Christchurch. 1996 Performed and adjudicated at the NZFOA National Comps Auckland. 1996 Tour of Victoria, NSW, QLD and New Zealand, supporting the internationally renowned Scottish tenor , Kenneth Mckellar. Produced: That’s Amore Bavarian Kabaret Fest. Music Of the World. Overseas: Hong Kong – Sheraton Hotel Singapore – Hilton and Shangri La Hotels Arabian Emirates – Dubai Sheraton Hotel. Also Tahiti, Mauritius, New Guinea and New Caledonia. Cruises: 1992 Cunard Lines – QE2 and Sagafjord, P & O Cruises, CTC Cruises. 1998 &1999 Princess Cruises (The Love Boat) Island Princess,Sky Princess&Pacific Princess. 2000 Norwegian Star. 2002 Sagarose and Japanese Cruise Ship Asuka.

Charities: Amnesty International, Handicapped Children, Victor Chang Foundation, Rotary Conventions, Little Sisters of the Poor, The Red Cross And Variety Club.

When asked on his favourite setting to perform in, Maio emphasised that it is the variety which keeps him inspired. Whether performing in an orchestra at the Sydney Opera House or playing in an intimate setting – diversity and sharing are for Maio, the spice of life. When not performing, he is an inspiring music teacher of both adults and children.

Maio’s accordion is capable of playing a huge variety of songs, from traditional, folk, tarantella, to tango, and contemporary music such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles and David Bowie. “I want people to hear a contemporary tune on an accordion,” he said.
In Sydney he is the best Accordion player especially in Italian Style.

Ross Maio Lineup

Solo – Duo – Trio

Ross Maio Accordion Testimonials

They were amazing – our audience loved them so much, they were banging on tables for an encore and then absolutely did get a standing ovation!! They were brilliant. he came highly recommended as the best Italian Accordion player in Sydney….and did not disappoint.

Sam Zackey | Marketing Manager – Insurance Partners | Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd

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