1968. Art Van Damme - Art In The Black Forest (... Apr 2026

While the accordion is often unfairly relegated to polkas, Van Damme used it to pioneer a refined, cool jazz sound. Art in the Black Forest features his signature quintet instrumentation: accordion, vibraphone, and guitar on the front line, supported by bass and drums. This combination creates a light, airy texture that is perfectly suited for the album’s mix of jazz standards and upbeat swing.

Art Van Damme ’s 1968 album, Art in the Black Forest , marks a sophisticated chapter in the career of the "hippest cat ever to swing an accordion". Recorded at the legendary MPS Records studio in Villingen, Germany, this album captures Van Damme at a creative peak, free from the commercial constraints of his earlier major-label years. The Sound of the Black Forest 1968. Art Van Damme - Art In The Black Forest (...

The album is a lean, 34-minute masterclass in swing. Standout tracks include: Art Van Damme Quintet – Art In The Black Forest - Discogs While the accordion is often unfairly relegated to