".... I loved your video. I watched the whole thing and thoroughly enjoyed the wartime theme and then listened to the whole thing a second time. (Well I think they were wartime?) You really are Number One Ladies!"

Karen Tweed is the mercurial, wacky and elegant English accordion queen, known for her inspirational teaching and ground breaking collaborations.  Since deciding to pursue a musical career in the late 1980s, Karen has risen to become one of the leading lights on the UK and international folk scenes working with amongst others Kathryn Tickell, The Poozies, Swap, Two Duos Quartet and May Monday.

Her latest adventure is The No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra, a fountain of fabulous female accordionists, presenting arrangements that cascade effortlessly from Piazzola to polskas; Stevie Wonder to Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye; musettes and swing waltzes to tango.

This stunning new orchestra brings together accordion gals from all around the UK with a shifting line-up of up to 16 performers as well as showcases by smaller ensembles and soloists. It’s an orchestra the likes of which has never been seen or heard before, promising fun, frocks and musical frolics!

“What Tweed has done is further liberate the piano accordion from the oompah band stereotypes and demonstrate the instrument’s full melodicism.” Irish Echo