Introducing The Bardonelle group. Our world premier will be at the Maleani Cafe at 6734 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119 on Saturday night November 15th, 2025 on the same stage as the Great Rusty and Jan Band. Doors open at 5:30 pm. PLease come check us out!!!!!!
The Bardonelle Group is an incarnation of Melanie and the Lost Vaqueros, a Philadelphia Band formed in 2017. The Bardonelle Group is made up of Don Garfinkel on guitar and vocals, Melanie Jones on Vocals, Robin Herman on flute, Elliott Schmuckler on upright double bass, concertina and hammered dulcimer and Barry Bell on percussion. The band plays a variety of music from the British Isles, Latin America, songs from the great American songbook and original songs composed by members of the band.
Melanie Jones- Melanie is bilingual in Spanish and loves to sing in languages from all over the world. She formally led the band Melanie and the Lost Vaqueros from which the Bardonelle Group was formed.
Dr. Barry Bell- After training extensively as a modern dancer, Barry began to study Afro-Cuban world hand percussion in 1974 at Bennington College and continues to study and perform. Barry received his PHD in Clinical Psychology in 1985 and remains in practice to this day.
Dr. Elliott Schmuckler-Elliott has been a practicing solo dentist for the past 40+ years. He has also been a practicing musician, for the past 60+ years utilizing controlled precision, variation, relaxation, versatility, balance and joy to produce a "strong auditory harmonic foundational playground for people to revel in."
Robin Herman- Retiring from a lifetime career as a music educator, Robin reconnected with her beloved flute during the Pandemic. This led to her joining the Chester County Concert Band in 2021 which led to playing in various musical ensembles along the way including the illustrious Bardonell Group. "Making music together is a gift."
Don Garfinkel-Don is the leader of the Bardonelle Group. An old folky at heart, Don starting playing guitar taking lessons from Philly's own John Oats at the Esther Halpern School of Guitar while in high school. Song writing and exploring interesting chord progressions and rhythms has led to Don's involvement in Melanie and the Lost Vaqueros and now-The Bardonelle Group.
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