“Igor, a sort of Russian Rick Wakeman of the button accordion, switches from a conventional instrument to a Midi accordion – a veritable Tardis of an instrument, from which he coaxes everything from guitar tones and saxophone solos to a James Brown back-up band”  The Scotsman. 
"He sings, with all the earthy passion of a Russian tenor – but he's not above a quick rendition of I Feel Good." The Scotsman
 

 

Igor - One Man Band

midi and acoustic accordions, vocal

 

Igor is a unique muster of a midi accordion out of which he manages to produce a full sound of different bands 100% live.

He is also a versatile singer. 

He is a good improviser and in demand for recording sessions.

Igor provided a live accompaniment for several silent films.

 

Igor has a broad and versatile repertoire:

Classical favouirits, Latin, Operatic, Jazz and Hot Club standards, Pop evergreens from ABBA, Boney M and Donna Summer to James Brown, Tom Jones and Gipsy Kings as well as a wast amount of Russian Folk, Romances, Tango, Foxtrots, retro Pop and rock, soviet film classics and Igor's original pieces,. 

music from France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Hungary and Serbia as well as Klezmer and Balkan music.

 

Igor studied accordion at Electrostal Music College in Russia and and traditional singing at the Gnesin Institute in Moscow.

He also took vocal lessons from  Kyra Vayne and Nikolai Gedda.

He came to London in 1990 with the gypsy band Loyko.

In 2004 he appeared in Almeida Theatre in London with Soft Cell lead singer Marc Almon playing and singing Russian songs and is featured on Almond's live DVD Sin Songs.

Igor appeared on screen in David Cronenberg's film “Eastern  Promises” (2007) singing “Dark Eyes”,

He appeared in ITV series "A Gentleman in Moscow" (2024),  performed a pop medley on ITV Britain Got Talent (2019)

Rercently he appered with Mazaika on Michael McIntyre's Big Show (2025) 

He has played on several major film soundtracks including The Man Who Knew Too Little, Birthday Girl, MirrorMask, La Vie en Rose and La Môme.

 

“You are the best entertainer I’ve ever seen, and I saw Elvis!!!” 

Audience member at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club 

 

 

 

Marc Almond and Mazaika - Autumn (Old Russian tango by Vadim Kozin)