Originally from Chicago, Paul Betken studied with Leon Sash and performed in the Chicago-land metro area for over 30 years. Now, residing in Phoenix, AZ for the last 17 years, he enjoys casual engagements and jam sessions all around town. Subject to the adversity of the pandemic conditions imposed on entertainment activities in general, Paul has kept active performing at local music venues, recording, and writing composition books. In the last 10 yrs., he has appeared in duet format with the re-known accordionist, Jerry Cigler, at numerous concerts in Las Vegas, NVand Dallas, TX.
Paul’s past concert appearances include the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018; Florida Smash, Southeast Accordion Association, Orlando, Florida, November, 2012; Cotati Accordion Festival, Cotati, CA, August, 2015; Cotati Accordion Scholarship Concert, Redwood Café, Cotati, CA, August, 2015, 2017 and 2018; National Accordion Association Convention Concert, Dallas, 2014; 2015; 2018 and 2019; 78th ATG Festival, Lisle, Illinois, 2017. He participated in the Mesa Accordion Event 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Paul has played in concert for many accordion organizations including the North Hollywood, CA Accordion Club, July 2012; Silicon Valley Accordion Club, San Jose, CA, January, 2015, the Chicago Accordion Club, Elmhurst, Illinois, July, 2017, Napa Valley Accordion Assn, 2019, and the Arizona Accordion Club.
Paul has given numerous national accordion workshops at national events including the National Accordion Association Convention, Dallas, 2014 through 2019; Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, Las Vegas, NV, June, 2015; 2018; ATG Festival, Lisle, Illinois 2017; and at the Cotati Accordion Festival, Cotati, California, August 2017. He is a judge for the Cotati Festival Youth Scholarship Fund (2019 and 2021).
Paul has published music books for jazz accordion instruction, “JAZZ ACCORDION ARRANGEMENTS” with CD, Paul Betken Productions, © 2017; “JAZZ ACCORDION ARRANGEMENTS” with CD, 2nd Edition, © 2019, Paul Betken Productions. His CD RELEASESconsist of “PAUL’S TURN – JAZZ ACCORDION,” Paul Betken Productions, © 2014 which achieved international recognition and “BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE – ECLECTIC JAZZ ACCORDION” Paul Betken Productions, © 2018
