Manny Bobenrieth
Web Site
January 2001

Tangata
R and L Records
2000

Tangata
Reviewed By
Joel Roberts

Born in Concepcion, Chile, Manuel Bobenrieth began studying the accordion at age five. He studied at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland and received a bachelor of music degree in performance from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., becoming the first accordionist to graduate with such a degree from that institution.

Mr. Bobenrieth has performed in many different musical contexts including Broadway musicals, Contemporary Music Forum and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. He appeared with legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd in a tribute to the music of jazz accordionist Art Van Damme. He can also be heard on the soundtrack to the Discovery channel television series The Great Chefs as a guest artist with the Charlie Byrd trio. Recently, the Manny Bobenrieth Sextet was featured at the world famous Blues Alley and performed to a sold-out audience. As accordionist for Norwegian Caribbean Lines from 1984-1986, Mr. Bobenrieth toured Europe and the Caribbean aboard the SS Norway.

In 1986, Mr. Bobenrieth became a member of the United Stated States Army Band. As the accordionist with the Army Strolling Strings, he has performed for three presidents and at numerous White House State Dinners in honor of foreign dignitaries such as Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Boris Yeltsin, King Hussein, the Emperor of Japan and Nelson Mandela. In addition to his performing duties, Mr. Bobenrieth has written many arrangements for the Army Strings, which have been featured at the State Department, the Vice President's residence and the White House.