John J. Kimmel

German-American accordionist and composer (born December 13, 1866 in Brooklyn, New York, NY, USA - died September 18, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, NY) Kimmel became known for playing Irish, Scottish, and American music on the one-row diatonic accordion (or melodeon). Though not Irish-American, but rather German-American (born in Brooklyn to German immigrants Margaretha Schmidt and John Kimmel), Kimmel's playing had an enduring effect on the playing of the Irish accordion. Kimmel began recording for Zonophone around 1904. In 1907, he moved on to Edison (1907-1929) and Victor (1907-1928), but he also recorded for Columbia (1915-1920) and Okeh (1922). On Edison wax cylinders, Kimmel's works often appeared under the more Irish-sounding name Kimmble or Kimble, and he was known to bill himself as the Irish Dutchman (i.e., German; Dutch = Deutsch).