Phoenix Polka Band 1

The leader of this Phoenix Polka Band started playing polka music in 1957, at that time playing the trumpet. He picked up the concertina in 1960 and has been performing both instruments ever since. He was the original trumpet player with the Jolly Brothers Polka Band from 1960 to 1964. During his four years with the "Brothers," he composed and arranged most of the music on the first two albums by the Jolly Brothers: Polka Special and Come Dance With Me. During the summers of 1962 and 1963, the Jolly Brothers along with him, toured the upper midwest with the Golden Voice of Polkas, Marion Lush from the Windy City of Chicago.

In a musical career that spans over five decades, he has performed with Lil' Wally, Marion Lush, The Mrozinski Brothers, Lil' Richard, Joe Tomaszewski's Polish Show Band, Bill Czerniaks Polka Soul and countless others.

Phoenix Polka Band style

This Phoenix Polka Band plays Polish-American music, specifically, polkas, waltzes, mazurkas and obereks. Their form of polka music is called 'Honky Style' and can be compared to a 'Dixieland' style of Polka Music. The trumpet is the main drive and lead instrument. The clarinet wanders above and below the melody line. Rhythm is held together by the string bass and drums playing a strict, solid beat. The concertina plays the melody line, some solos, and keeps the band together.

The band's "Honky Style" music is basic, simple, and from the heart. The listener must be able to feel the music. Solid, yet loose, disciplined yet fluid, the music offers a lesson in how something as abstract as a feeling can be released each time the band starts to play. The band also plays the best in variety music from the traditional two-step, fox-trot, rock & roll from the 50's & 60's, to old and new country.

This Phoenix Polka Band has recorded sixteen, one hour television shows that can be viewed almost daily on local cable access. They have recorded ten TV shows. They have recorded three albums containing all original compositions, including Polish and English vocals.

The first album was released in 1990. With the limited number of 'Honky Style' bands in America, the release of their second album in 1992, put them second to none in the polka music field. Another album, released in 1999 with fourteen original melodies, again demonstrates their unique 'Polish Style' honky music. The original Polish and English compositions establish this band as an exceptional 'Honky Style' band.

In 2004, this Phoenix Polka Band released their fourth CD featuring the ‘hits’ of yesteryear. The Band has performed extensively throughout Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts. They have performed on four live radio broadcasts on the 50,000 watt CBS affiliate-WCCO 830AM with Dave Lee and The Morning Show. The Band performed four days at the 2001 Minnesota State Fair on the Heritage Square Stage and on Sept. 1 & 2, 2002, Labor Day Weekend, at the Ramberg Center Stage.

In November of 1997, they performed on two radio broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion starring Garrison Keillor. A Prairie Home Companion show is currently carried on 425 U.S.Public radio stations and on the Armed Forces Network (Europe and Far East) America One via the Astra Satellite. A Prairie Home Companion can be heard on FM radio in dozens of European cities.

Phoenix Polka Band award

The leader of this Phoenix Polka Band was inducted into the prestigious World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame on September 16, 2005. The induction ceremony was held at the Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee, MN and attended by 450 guests.

Fred joined this Phoenix Polka Band in 1993. With a variety of experience from jazz, rock and roll, country and now polkas, Fred says, “I love to play with this Band because I’ve learned so much about Polish Music and the Polish people.” As graduate of Columbia School of Broadcasting. Fred also hosted his own Internet show.

Gary is one of the original members of this Phoenix Polka Band. Gary recorded all of their previous albums. His solid technique on the clarinet and saxophone on these recordings compliment the ‘soul playing’ of John on trumpet.

Robyn has been surrounded with polka music her entire life. Her grandfather played violin and her father plays guitar. She started playing piano in church at the age of 9 and took violin lessons from the fifth through ninth grade. As a self-taught guitarist, Robyn turned her sights on the concertina. With a few lessons, the concertina became another challenge she conquered. Learning to play bass guitar was a high school project. Since 1994, Robyn has played bass, concertina, fiddle and vocals with this Phoenix Polka Band. She has also been the pianist and music coordinator at St. Lucas Community Church in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, a Polka News writer. In 1997-1998, Robyn was crowned the United Polka Association Queen in Chicago, IL.

John plays trumpet and hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Following in the footsteps of his father who also plays trumpet, polkas have been a part of Johns life. John has performed with CMA, Taste of Chicago, Tony Blazonczyk’s Southside Sounds, Jersey Polka Richie, Roger Majewski and this Phoenix Polka Band. In 1993, John traveled to Michigan, Minnesota and the East coast with this band and has played with the Band when scheduling allows. John enjoys spending his free time in his wood shop building things for friends.

Raymond has played accordion, piano, clarinet and saxophone for many years with the local Polish polka bands and other musical groups in the Twin City area. Raymond and John jobbed together forty plus years ago when John performed mostly on trumpet before starting his own band in 1983. Raymond currently performs with this Phoenix Polka Band.