Born in 1958, the Elk Grove resident believes he is the first Caribbean-born solo musician to play the accordion as his main instrument. He has performed for years in a Latin jazz group based in Puerto Rico, has appeared twice at the Cotati Accordion Festival in Northern California, and makes his primary living playing corporate events and by repairing and customizing accordions in his Santa Clara shop.

Rosa will make the trip to Orange County to be a featured performer at “The Big Squeeze,” the 1st Orange County Accordion Festival, slated for Sunday, October 11 at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa, the weekend swap meet at the fairgrounds. He will be among more than 40 other accordionists and musicians, ranging in ages 8 to 91,
showcasing a variety of music styles to demonstrate the squeeze box’s versatility and cross cultural appeal including Cajun, zydeco, folk, jazz, gypsy, French, German, tango, Russian, Tex-Mex, Latin, blues, rock and much more.

Rosa’s path to accordion mastery wasn’t easy. He began studying at the age of 8 with a German teacher at his church because “I liked the shape of the instrument and because my father played. But I was the worst student in a group of 23.”

After six years of taking classes, Rosa didn’t feel he was excelling. “My problem was that I wanted to learn more by ear than from reading music because the music I was studying came from other countries other than Puerto Rico.”

But after the way a new student from Italy played the instrument, Rosa began playing in earnest. “I wanted to play just like him, so I started practicing an average of four hours per day,” he said.

When he was 18, Rosa won first prize in a music contest and, after studying the instrument in college, began performing professionally. His first job: playing in a group that his Italian friend, Mario, was forced to leave when he moved back to Italy.

What sets Rosa apart from most of his peers is his preference of playing Latin music, such as merengue, salsa, bolero, danza and Latin Jazz. “The type of music I play is different from what most accordions on this side of the Western United States play,” he said. “I never was exposed to the Tex-Mex style or that from the north of Mexico because that music wasn’t played in Puerto Rico.”

Another distinctive aspect of Rosa is that he blends the traditional sound of the accordion with electronic textures supplied by plugging into a MIDI. “That helps me create the effect of a musical quartet or even a seven-person group,” he said. “I can play up to five channels at the same time, like bass, chords, strings, organs, synthesizer as well as the accordion. And that is important in these days for a professional musician because you have to get the attention of a crowd right away.”

The effect is a musical style, and sound, that is far different from what many people may think of the accordion.

“The stereotype among many people is that the accordion is used for polkas only,” Rosa said. “But the instrument has a lot of potential if you know how to play it. It’s also a very complex instrument, but once you conquer it, you can express your mood and use it as an extension of your soul. It really allows you to make the music seem alive for people. I think that a good accordion player forms a bond with the instrument and can distinguish the individuality that each instrument has. You can hear the different nuances and feel the vibrations of the tones getting in your heart. And by blending those sounds you can truly transport people into different moods.”

Rosa will be perform five sets during the Festival scheduled for 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the Squeeze 4 Stage.

The Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature four stages of accordion music and accordion based bands and orchestras. In addition there will be a section for specialty vendors in the Main Squeeze Stage area. Along with the Festival is the regular base of Market Place vendors, food operations and other attractions.

Though the talent is rich, the Accordion Festival will not put a squeeze on your wallet. All activities including entrance to the swap meet are included in the price of Market Place admission, which is $2 or FREE with a canned food item to help the Orange County Food Bank. Children 12 and under are free. A complete schedule for “The Big Squeeze” is available at the website www.ocmarketplace.com.

All attendees will have the opportunity to win a FREE Hohner Bravo 48 II accordion donated by Hohner USA. Free sign up to win the accordion, which is ideal for beginners, will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Big Squeeze information booth. The winner, who must be present to win, will be announced at 2:30 p.m.

In its 40th year the Orange County Market Place is held every weekend (except during the Orange County Fair) at the O.C. Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information on these events may be obtained by visiting www.ocmarketplace.com or calling 949-723-6660.