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.

So sad! An accordion is the only instrument which can sound like entire orchestra. So beautiful and rewarding...

Too bad this is only 2 minutes long.

They look like they're in their 60s...

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.

I feel like I need an accordion now

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 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!!!

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.

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

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.

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 !!!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

. . artists, true talents and treasures . . .

Can I just say that they look great for their age.

What a wonderful Chanel this is. Really loving all of these videos.

Thank you very much. Both guys look great don't they? Clap clap clap for u both. It sounded great !!

Great man always a pleasure serving your table mr carroza

Fantastic to see this man after a long time ago.....

Love this guy

Damn I need to get an accordion before all are left are broken ones that can never be repaired

0:28 What a backdrop!

We’ve got a great repair person here in Chicago and the business has been around 100 plus years

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...

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.

Lovely story ❤️

Wonderful to see.

Have visited his store in New York twice, he and other stuff were really kind

This is so great

What a fantastic story.

Very nice!!

Very cool!

wish the stories could be 2 hours+ long. so interesting!

I love these instruments

He is not the last one. Maybe from old guards. There is some more accordion repair guys keep this still alive.

What a charming life!!!

I will have to come here at some point.... Would love to know more..

Niks fancy werkplaats... Liefde voor je werk en het instrument, dat is het!

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.

I hope his business became a worldwide. Because in my country, we don't have a person that can fix an accordion.

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!

Full documentary please.

Golden two men

This guys a living legacy.

We all know he's going to pass away with a room full of accordions that no one knows how to reassemble again.

never met an accordion player that I didn't like.

they're enjoying life way more than I am

Bel mestiere. Senza di voi noi fisarmonicista non possiamo suonare.

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!

Nice

There are absolutely no more accordion repair shops in NYC. Not a single one. Unbelievable.

We have in Greece too

Looks like a yesterday huh?

Are they still open? Tried to find it.. but can't? Anyone help?

what gentlemen happy content fellows craftsmen champions

I want to own an accordion so I can have this guy repair it! De Nadal!

Is there anybody can tell me if this place still open? Plz

My dad works for him

I like accordions but I don't have one :(

Está tienda sigue?

hello I'm from Indonesia, can you help me to get a sales link for Reeds accordion? thank you🙏

Well I'm macedonian so evyrone I know has and knows how to fix an accordion😂😂

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 BELIEVE YOU-!!!

Cant believe he is 88 looks like he is still in he's 60's

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!!

@ 1:48 Now I have all your secrets, can I become like you??? I have to meet Alex, next I'm in NY.

I realy. The video#100

Isn’t it a legal requirement that every time an accordion is shown on TV Weird Al has to be in the shot, too?

1:15, Larry King's cousin?

Were you. Location. Please. You. Address please.

Why doesn't he have an apprentice?

What type of face cream are they using?

Accordions are my culture and proud that its my Mexican culture

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...

Nobody is gonna talk about his resemblance to Martin Short? Ok...

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