TAXI

The Carnivaleros

Bandleader Gary Mackender formed The Carnivaleros in 2001 after drumming with The Mollys from 1993-2000. During that time he dragged his accordion across the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and learned how to play it, slipping away to practice late at night after the gigs when everyone else was asleep. Mackender says of the accordion, “it’s even more organic than the drums. It responds to every move, it breathes, it wheezes, it can be loud and demanding yet it can whisper and seduce. I’ve discovered material on it that would never have presented itself on the piano, which is where I used to do all of my writing.”

The Carnivaleros has allowed Mackender a vehicle to record and perform the music he's been writing since those years on the road: strains of Zydeco rhythms mixed with Tex-Mex polkas, moody Eastern European themes and a bit of blues and swing thrown in for good measure.

The group now has three CDs of music to share with the world. Some of the best talent in Tucson, Arizona has contributed their talents to the sound of the group, with Mackender's writing and accordion style setting the tone for the project.