Nick Pepe

Renowned as one of Perth's most accomplished accordion players Nick Pepe was hardly a five year old when his late father Michael (also an accordionist) introduced him to this traditional instrument and to the world of music in general.

A natural talent for music along with professional tuition from such notable names as Sarina Grida Cucco, Dave Krygger, Sammy Pizzata and Peter Piccini ensured Nick was still very young when he started to perform in public.

Having competed and gained a second place in the accordion under 14 W.A.A.A.T. Nick went on to better that performance the following year with a first place in the under 15 category.

During this time Nick appeared on the popular Children's Channel Seven TV program and on the Ted Bull Morning Show also on Network Seven. Further appearances on television were to follow including a memorable performance of a medley of French songs all of course done in times when everything went to air "live".

Highlights of his musical career so far have been many and include the time he accompanied vocalist Nola Ricci during WA Week at the Perth Concert Hall and when Nick was commissioned to provide lively and entertaining music during a week long festival for the opening of the new flagship Perth Myer Store.

His very popular quartet, the Nick Pepe Band, has been delighting crowds at clubs and private functions for over thirty years and continues to be very much in demand as one of the most polished and professional combos in Perth.

When the inimitable Giorgio Consolini of Sanremo fame toured Australia some years back with the famous Italian recording star Nilla Pizzi , he was accompanied by Nick and his band at the Toscany Club and was so enthralled that he proclaimed them the best band he had performed with in Australia.

Over the years Nick, either solo, as a duo or with the band, has performed in many of Perth's premier venues including Tawarri Lodge, Riverside Hotel, La Tenda Night Club, Hyatt, Sheraton and Parmelia Hilton hotels and in any number of the city's more exclusive restaurants and night spots.

Nick is currently also performing regularly on the accordion at various up-market bistros and cafes together with well known vocalist/guitarist Fernando Civitella. The latter was for many years part of the famous Reno Bro's cabaret duo which toured extensively not only in Australia but also in South-east Asia where their witty comedy and vocal antics proved extremely popular.

Some years ago Nick released "Accordion After Dark", an LP album of ten songs which also included four of his own compositions and which had until recently remained his only commercial recording.

But more recently and after more than two years in the pipeline, Nick finally brought happiness to his legion of fans with the release of a brand new work simply titled, "The Accordion".

The new CD, again a mix of originals and covers, also features the smooth, velvet voice of Nick's great friend and colleague Roy Multari, the evergreen singer always favored and never forgotten by Perth audiences.

GMP is delighted to present a selection of works from this highly regarded professional accordionist who, with his passion for latin, jazz and continental music, remains an inspiration for many a fellow musician.