Gumina was one of few people who followed Art Van Damme’s example and explored the jazz accordion. Gumina is most remembered for his collaborations with Buddy DeFranco, clarinetist, on their quartet recordings in the early 1960s. Gumina was part of Harry James’ smaller band in 1951. He toured for two years with James. After that, he began to record solo albums for Decca. He joined DeFranco in 1960 to form a quartet, which played both standard and original compositions. The group released albums on Mercury and Decca, but they were not commercially successful. In 1964, DeFranco and Gumina left to start the New Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gumina was to be a designer and marketer for an accordion manufacturer. Gumina started Polytone Musical Instruments in 1968. They specialize in the manufacture and sale of amplifiers for professional musicians. Named after one of his albums with DeFranco. He also released several albums as a side project, including one with DeFranco, and three with Joe Pass, a Polytone endorser. These albums are almost impossible to find due to the fact that most copies have gone directly from Gumina to a small group of friends and customers. from http://www.spaceagepop.com
