Lionel Reekie is an Auckland entertainer, who has performed extensively in many of New Zealand's top venues, Lionel is a member of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand and has appeared on stage as a soloist in many countries including USA, Europe, China, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2007 he was a guest vocalist for the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at their “Last Night of the Proms Concerts”, performing songs from modern musical shows.

As well as being a versatile singer and musician, Lionel is also an accomplished conductor. In August 2007 Lionel conducted the New Zealand North Shore Accordion Orchestra in Washington DC and New York, including a concert on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

In September 2002 Lionel conducted the Musicale Accordion Orchestra during their concert tour of China. One of these concerts was televised by a Chinese television network.


Ideal for: corporate function, private party, wedding and setting themes for Italian, French, German, Latin American or European themed events.
Also useful when there is no power at event

Lionel's professional expertise has been honoured with many awards and nominations including:
2006 & 2007 Nominated for the Agnew Excellence Award - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1997 Nominated for Top Male Vocalist - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1996 Nominated for the "Shure Microphone" award for most professional act - The Variety Artists Club of NZ
1994-1997 Nominated 4 times as top New Zealand Instrumentalist - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1991 Winner of the "Rising Star" award – The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1990 Winner of the "Show Business" class at the AFNA competition ( USA )

Other Performances as Guest Artist include:
2005, 2006, 2007 Gold Coast – appearances at Southport RSL, Sharks Club, Albert Waterways
Annually since 1992 South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival (New Zealand)
1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2008 Australian Accordion Teachers Association International Championships
1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 Accordion Teachers Guild International and American Accordionists’ Assn (USA)
1994 Cotati Accordion Festival (USA)
1993 Frankfurt Musik Messe (Germany)

Musical Background
1985-1997, Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra member and was lead vocalist on the 1992 and 1996 tours through Europe, as well as the 1994 tour of USA/Canada. The orchestra's 1994 CD "On Tour" featured much of the programme from these three tours.
Lionel was a featured soloist at the American Accordionists’ Association festivals in Houston, Texas (1995), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1996) & Washington DC (1997). At these festivals, Lionel gave several concerts, and held workshops on MIDI with accordion.

Recordings:
No stranger to radio and television, Lionel has had performances and interviews broadcast throughout the world. In 1987 Lionel recorded an album, " Lionel Reekie Sings", under the ODE record label and in December 1996 he released a CD entitled “Starlight” using MIDI accordion with vocals. Lionel has also featured on many other recordings.

Continental Themed music:

ITALIAN

Come Back to Sorrento
Quando Quando
Santa Lucia
Tarrantella
Its Amore
La Spagnola
Volare
Bueno Sera
Arrivederci Roma
Bel Viso
Finiculi Finicula
O Sole Mio

FRENCH

Under Paris Skies
Reign de Musette
Domino
Chanson D’Amour
La Vie en Rose
C’est Si Bon
Autumn Leaves
Eifel Tour
I Love Paris
Can can
Je ne regrette rien
La Ballade de Pauvre Jean

GERMAN – OKTOBERFEST

Muss I denn
Hofbrauhaus
Beer Barrel Polka
Happy Wanderer
Lilli Marlene
Little Brown Jug Polka
Du du Herszt mein lieber
Tavern in the Town
Pennsylvania Polka
Ein Prosit

STANDARDS / EASY LISTENING

Girl From Ipanema
Sway
Spanish Eyes
Save the Last Dance for Me
Its Now or Never
I Cant Help Falling in Love with You
Unchained Melody
If
Everything I Do (I Do it for you)
Crying
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Spanish Eyes

DANCE / ROCK AND ROLL

Love is in the air
Rave On
Promised Land
Reet Petite
Rock Around the Clock
Tequila
Lambada
La Bamba
Lets Twist Again
Rockin’ Robin

Hi Robyn,
It went very well, thank you! Our residents loved Lionel :) I'll keep an eye out for anything we might need in the future.
Thanks,
Kayla
Bert Sutcliffe Retirement Village
Oktoberfest   

Yeah it all went well thanks.
Michael Jones
Joneseys Youth Foundation
Gala Dinner 

Hi Robyn,
More than satisfied, he was great. 
Poynton Residents Committee
Retirement Village event

Yes Robyn as always it was wonderful and Lionel was an absolute delight.
Regards, Helen
Helen Vlasich
Village Manager
Bupa New Zealand
Glenburn Village

Lionel was awesome - highlight of our day. 
Cheers
German Oktoberfest
Fruhlingsfest event

Robyn,
Lionel was perfect… we will rebook him next year. I am also looking to plan for a mid winter event in July August so will be in touch in the new year
Cheers
Patrick Girvan 
Bowe

Dear Pete,
Lionel was much better than satisfactory.  He did an exemplary job.  Lionel was a true professional.  He took up a difficult job on the night (warming up an otherwise sober crowd) and performed brilliantly.  Several people commented to me personally on the night how good he was in setting the atmosphere we were after.  I would happily book Lionel again or recommend him to others without hesitation.
Mina.

Hi Pete
Thanks for your follow up email. It was a huge day so I am still recovering. Yes everyone did a great job. Both Lionel and The Strolling Tones were delightful and very accommodating.
I certainly will keep you in mind for any further entertainment that I may require and I appreciate the assistance with this event.
Many thanks.
Lynette White
Events Project Manager
House of Travel

It was wonderful Robyn, thank you
Helen Vlasich,
Village Manager
Bupa New Zealand,
Glenburn Village

went very well.....Thank you enjoyed Lionel Reekie's music.....
Many Thanks...Val Opera

Thanks Robyn. It was all great and Lionel was just what we needed. We had some lovely comments about the atmosphere his playing provided.
Kind regards,
Kirsty

Hi Robyn
You should know that Lionel was just the exact “flavour” that we needed for our night in Provence.  He played an excellent role in the evening, and he was a very gracious and personable man who I am so pleased to have met.  He was the correct choice for my mother’s birthday celebration, and I believe he also engaged her in some conversation which was wonderful.  Our memories from the evening at La Cigale were certainly enhanced by Lionel’s performance, and we thank both you and him for making that all come together.  
Kind regards
Nina Blair

We had Lionel Reekie perform for us today. All the 100 people thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It was of a very high standard. Very happy to recommend Lionel to anyone.
Lorraine Butcher
Manurewa Ladies Probus Club

Robyn,
He was, as he always is, fantastic. He was the perfect fit for what we wanted. Upbeat enough to make dancing possible and encourage everyone, quiet when he needed to be, soulful when he needed to be and really engaged the crowd.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Helen Vlasich 
Village Assistant
Glenburn Village
Bupa Care Services


Lionel was superb, he really set the tone for the night. The communication was clear and there were no hassles.
Barry Johnston

Hi Robyn
Lionel was a star hit at the party. He performed with skill, confidence and flair. Our guests responded with spontaneous applause on many occasions.
He was also unfailingly professional, well dressed and punctual.
We would recommend him to anyone.
Thanks
Catherine Buchanan

Hi Robyn,
Yes everything went well and Lionel did a great job.
Kind regards
Bronwyn Mosley

Robyn,
Of course it was fabulous and Lionel is getting rave reviews and I have had two people ask me for you details to find out more about booking him for other venues.
Thank you for providing us with such stellar entertainment and I can’t wait to get working on September Spring Symphony!
I’ll be in touch.
Regards, Helen
Helen Vlasich
Village Assistant
Glenburn Village
Bupa Care Services

Thanks,
Yes it went very well and Lionel was excellent.
Cheers
Daniel Mikkelsen
Activity Manager
Wrigley
German themed Corporate event

Thank you. All went well and Lionel Reekie's show was much enjoyed. Pity he could not stay for a cuppa and Christmas fare with us.
Aline Gee

Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your email, I was going to send a message to you anyway.
I am pleased to say that Lionel's performance at our club's 30th Anniversary Christmas Dinner last night went down extremely well with our audience of about 85 seniors and several young adults. Lionel's repertoire was well chosen and appealed to everyone present. His expertise on the accordion is stunning and his voice quite amazing. His easy stage personality with a touch of polite humour really captivated our club members and guests and brought a standing ovation. At the end of our evening function, many favourable comments were passed on to me and today, with less than 24 hours passing since the event, I have received several more messages remarking on Lionel's performance, one person suggesting he was the best entertainer the club has engaged in its 30 years.
Would you please convey the sincere appreciation of the Whangarei Probus Club to Lionel personally and to his agent.
Thank you,
Peter Faber,
President
Whangarei Probus Club

Dear Robyn,
Lionel has been to perform this afternoon. He was fantastic, as last time. We really enjoy him.
Yes, we will definitely get him back again.
Kind regards
Barbara Johnson
Village Manager
Glenburn Village
Bupa Care Services

Hi,
Thanks Lionel was excellent and very professional.
Thanks,
Sian Noble 

Hi Robyn
They were both fantastic, thank you for organising such great acts.
Regards,
Melissa Vranjes 
Macquarie

All went well. Thanks Robyn
Cara Cantwell
Events Executive
Crackerjack Promotions 

Good Morning
Lionel was totally Satisfactory – he was wonderful. I have had a lot of texts and emails from my friends to say how much they enjoyed his playing and singing. Once again, he was just perfect.
Thanks so much
Regards
Ingrid Blyth 

Hello,
Yes he was very impressive!
Many thanks
Kristen
Hobsonville RSA
Octoberfest night

Hi there, yes thanks for everything, Lionel's performance went down very well. Please pass on our thanks to him.
Regards
Kieran Forde

Lionel was FANTASTIC! Thank him soooooo much from all of us.
Regards,
Helen Vlasich
Village Assistant
Glenburn Village
Bupa Care Services


They were all great, as usual. Self directed and very easy to manage. Great help amongst everything else going on.
Thanks,
Jeremy Randerson
Grey Lynn Theatre Stampede
(Lionel Reekie, Tracey Collins, French Toast)

It was absolutely fabulous thank you, Lionel just arrived and started playing and it gave the evening focus and created a great atmosphere.
Regards,
Gitti Harre 

Hi, just wanted to let you know how pleased we were with Lionel's performance last night at our party. It really was great and it set the mood perfectly..
Thanks so much.
Louise Morrison 

To Pete
Thanks for suggesting Lionel and assisting with the booking

To Lionel
Thank you so much, we've had calls and emails to say how much people enjoyed your performance - even if they were not the ones dancing.
My parents were delighted and we're so pleased to hear you again!
For myself ..... Couldn't be happier!
Best Regards
Ingrid Blyth

Hi Kellie,
Thanks for the follow up.
The entertainment you provided was great.
We will definitely be using your services again.
Kind regards,
James Walsh
Marketing / Promotions
Celsius (German themed event)

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