AUBURN #- Accordion players are truly a unique breed. Though their choice of instruments is not so popular with the younger crowd, countless kindhearted musicians entertain millions #- especially those of older generations #- with their distinctive squeeze-box sounds.

In that spirit, accordion player Louis Nocilly was on hand at Seymour Public Library in Auburn on Saturday afternoon to entertain patrons with Christmas music.

“I love to read, so this gig is perfect,” Nocilly said in between songs in the library's rear room. Having begun lessons at age 14, he studied for six years under famed accordionist Frank Mucedola at his school in downtown Auburn, he said.

Nocilly, an Auburn resident, then branched out on his own to play weddings, luncheons and at various health-care facilities, he said.

A retired Auburn High School English teacher, Nocilly also plays saxophone in the local jazz combo Jazzitude, whose five members are from Auburn and Syracuse.

On Saturday, Nocilly entertained guests with a mix of Christmas favorites like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Away in a Manger,” along with standards such as “Autumn Leaves” and “Besame Mucho.”

Another favorite was “I'll be Home for Christmas,” which Nocilly dedicated to the U.S. troops overseas. “I think about those boys every time I play that song,” he said after he finished the tune.

Among the visitors to the library was Rob Morphy of Auburn, who said he was there with his niece, 8-year-old Peyton, to work on a school biology project.

“I didn't even know (Nocilly) was going to be here, but I heard him as soon as I walked in,” Morphy said. “I really love the accordion, so I thought, 'Wow, this is a bonus.'”