I was born in Italy and started playing the accordion at the age of nine.
Date of Birth: 10.4.1944 Ozzano Monferrato (Alessandria) Italy
“64 Successful years of Musical Achievements apart from by Professional Career.
Accordion Achievements:
1957 South African Junior Champion (Classic).
1958 South African Senior Champion (Classic).
1961 South African Advanced Duet Champion (Light Music).
1957 – 1984 Frequent Artist on National Television and Radio (SABC -South African
Broadcasting Corporation).
1980 SABC Artes Nomination for best light music performance.
1990 SABC Artes Nomination for best light music performance.
1992 Jury Member 42nd CMA (Confederation Mondial de L’Accordeon) Recanati Italy.
1994 Started the hitherto unique combination of MIDI Accordion and Harp Duet with my wife
and made 120 arrangements for this combination and 4 CD’s.
1994 Jury Member 44th CMA (Confederation Mondial de L’Accordeon) Alassio Italy.
1998 Nominated for Best Instrumental Performance at the SAMA Awards.
2002 Jury Member 52nd CMA (Confederation Mondial de L’Accordeon) Belluno Italy.
2002 Invited to contribute my Hand impression in clay (now in Gold leaf) in Recoaro Italy at the
Museum of World Famous Accordionists.
2012 Started with my wife Amarillie Ackermann a Music School “Music at your Fingertips”
which includes the Accordion.
2015 Awarded the title of Brand Ambassador of the National Eisteddfod Academy, for the
exceptional contribution to the encouragement of young musicians in South Africa.
2017 Awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the London College of Music (University of West
London) based on life time professional achievement.
2017 Created in conjunction with my wife an Accordion Syllabus for the London College of
Music Examinations.
2019 Nominated by “Accordion and World’s Best Contemporary Accordionists 2019”.
The world’s 100 most liked & most popular accordionists (Times Square Press New
York – Stars Illustrated Magazine).
2019 World Ranked #5. By the International Vote: Accordionist of the year 2019 (Times Square
Press New York – Accordion Stars Illustrated Magazine).
2019 Top 50 Ambassadors Accordion Leaders Round the Globe 2019 (Times Square Press
New York – Accordion Stars Illustrated Magazine).
2019 Jury Member 69th CMA (Confederation Mondial de L’Accordeon) Loulé – Algarve –
Portugal.
2019 Nominate for Life Achievement Award and Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2019 (Times
Square Press New York – Accordion Stars Illustrated Magazine).
2020 Jury Member PIF (International Accordion Prize Castelfidardo Italy)via virtual Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2020 Jury Member 70th CMA (Confederation Mondial de L’Accordeon France) via virtual Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2020 Jury Member PIF (International Accordion Prize Castelfidardo Italy)via virtual Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2020 STARS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE. The New York World Music Awards (NYWMA) are granted each year by the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists Incorporated (FAMSPA) to individuals who have meaningfully contributed to the world of music:
- Duo of the year, category accordion and another instrument: Duo 2000 (South Africa)
- Musician of the year: Sergio Zampolli (South Africa)
- Music Life Achievement award: Sergio Zampolli (South Africa)
2021 Man of the Year: Contribution to the Accordion) Sergio Zampolli (South Africa)
From Anna Cordoba, managing editor, Accordion Stars Magazine, New York. The Editorial Board and writers of Accordion Stars magazine choice of the 2021 accordion personalities of the year.
2021 Jury Member British College of Accordionists International Online Anniversary Festival & National Graded Solo Competition. Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2021 Jury Member Accordion Star International – The First US International Festival / Competition. Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2021 Jury Member 1st. National Accordion and Bellow Instrument Competition Turkey. Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)
2021 Jury Member 12th Italia Award World Accordion Contest 2021. Streaming from Johannesburg (South Africa)