Born June 4th, 1942, Richard (Rich) Sendra grew up in a Polish-Catholic musical family on the South Side of Chicago. Influenced and surrounded by music at an early age, his mother Helen took him and his younger brother, Bob, to dances to hear their father, Frank Sendra, play with the Chuck Stevens Orchestra. Dad on drums, Uncle Chuck on accordion and Uncle Gus Chuckla on clarinet and sax. When Rich was 10 his dad passed away, and Rich was 15 when his mother married Joe Novak, an accomplished accordionist. Music was a constant in the Sendra/Novak household.

Rich wanted to play the accordion and he practiced while listening to the modern style of the Naturals, Hi Notes and Li'l Wally's polish songs. Rich desired to emulate his idols: Jazz accordionists Art Van Damme and Tommy Gumina. Another idol, Jerry Stanley of the Musical Gems rounded out Rich's sound and Eddy Duchin and Peter Nero on piano influenced his overall playing style. The variety of influences Rich was exposed to helped define the distinctive qualities that would make him stand out.

At age 7 Rich started his formal musical studies with weekly lessons with local Instructors
- listening, learning and with a good ear for music adapting easily to reading and writing music.

In 1952, Rich and Bob's performing career began at ages 10 & 9, respectively, with their first 2-piece band (Rich on accordion, Bob on drums), playing family parties, showers and job referrals from Uncles Chuck and Gus. Joe Novak hearing Rich and Bob play encouraged them to get advanced music training and throughout high school Rich took progressive music lessons at the Andy Rizzo Music School, downtown Chicago. Early on, Andy Rizzo placed Rich in the Accordion Ensemble, where students performed solo recitals in front of live audiences. Determination motivated Rich to practice extensively and was key to his early success in accordion proficiency.

The 2-piece Sendra brothers soon added a clarinet and sax when Jerry Chocholek joined the band. While still in high school, the 3-piece group, adding a temporary trumpet player from the High School Band, Pete Drungle, entered a local talent contest and won First Place. The contest promoter, knowing of a band that recently broke up and is no longer playing, suggested the name 'Versatones'. The 3-piece Sendra band was now officially “The Versatones". In a DownBeat Magazine contest, the band played a Bill Haley rock'n'roll tune, took third place and were written up in DownBeat Magazine.

By 1960, the band's focus was polka music and they were looking to expand. With the addition of Chet (CK) Kowalkowski, the Versatones had a trumpet and a strong charismatic vocal voice to the mix. The band's popularity and exposure increased steadily as more jobs, radio shows and TV appearances followed. Stanley Jay, owner of “The Jay's Club” in Hegewisch, IL booked the band which led to jobs at Club 505, weddings, picnics and dances. Wally Skibinski, a WJOB radio station disk jockey that did remote broadcasts at 505, upon hearing the versatility of “The Versatones", on air, dubbed them the "Versatile Versatones”. It was a good fit. They were
"The Versatile Versatones” going forward.

In 1963, Chet Kowalkowski approached Eddy Bell, popular in rock n'roll, with an invitation to listen and sit in with the Versatile Versatones. Eddy had expressed a desire to get back into polka music and Chet felt that the band, with Eddy's skills and musical background, would broaden and expand the scope of the Versatones potential. Eddy's business acumen and visionary goals combined with the Versatile Versatones talent was a sign of things to come. Eddy took over the responsibilities of the band under the name "Eddie Blazonczyk & The Versatones". Ed's exceptional singing ability, individually and dually with Chet, added a whole new-dimension to the band which had a major impact on the diverse style of polka music in the 1960's through the '90s. Ed's talent for song composition and a keen insight of what the public liked added up to an exciting career for all members in the newly renamed band. Job volume and traveling increased steadily as the band performed throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ed formed Bel Aire Recording Co. and the band put out their first 45's, followed by the first of many albums thus expanding the nationwide prominence of The Versatones. Rich recorded on the 45's and on 11 Versatones albums. Another notable 45 recording Rich did with the Park Lane Singers was the 'Bride and Groom Waltz', Limelight label, Mercury records. Rich added piano to the sound of the band playing keyboards and also mentored and taught accordion at Bel-Aire Music Studio.

In July, 1965 the U.S. Army drafted Rich to active duty in Korea. By April 1967, his tour of service over, Rich rejoined the band and resumed his full time job as a tradesman painter at National Decorating. Rich soon met his future wife, Sally, at a church picnic where the Versatones were performing and in October, 1969 they married. In December 1969, Rich left the band - The busy band schedule and extensive out of town traveling conflicted with job and family obligations. Rich was a Versatone for 16 active and exciting years.

By 1970, a new band was in Chicagoland - The Tones Orchestra. Reflecting a unique style and personality, original key members were: Lenny Gomulka: trumpet, clarinet, sax and vocals; Wally Maduzia: concertina, clarinet, sax and vocals; Roger Malinowski: drums and vocals;
Jerry Mytych: clarinet, sax, trombone and vocals; Rich Sendra: accordion, keyboards and vocals; and Zack Ziobro: trumpet and guitar.

Regrouped and partnered together with mutual respect and friendship the band flourished.
They had a tight-knit group with a strong foundation and their musical style and sound differed from other bands. Wally and Rich pioneered the dual sound of concertina and accordion together for a driving positive energy sound that is copied by a lot of musicians and bands in the polka field. As a 'Tone' Wally used his famous concertina "bellow shake" creating that 'wow' factor that set The Tones apart.

The Tones Orchestra was one of the best bands around. They had a snappy, happy sound - The songs, the singing, the music - favorites of musicians and fans alike. Richie Gomulka, musician and radio personality, calls The Tones Orchestra "The Cadillac Sound" and Rich Sendra "The Foundation" for the innovative sound of his strong left-hand bass and bellow shake combination. Rich hung his accordion low and steady, a unique distinction for an accordionist.

The Tones recorded three popular albums on Ampol Records with songs that are part of many polka bands playlists today and are often heard on radio and internet broadcasts. Around 1988 the group disbanded but their music continues on.

Shortly thereafter, Rich's musical history included his participation in a new band in town. Whitey Ryniec, a well-known polka musician in the polka field, desired to start his own group and so with three other talented musicians formed 'The Chicago Wave'. Frequent band rehearsals kept the band's extensive library of songs a perfect mix well suited to the predominant wedding and anniversary niche the band focused on and over the next four years their numerous engagements and other functions were steady in local halls and ballrooms. The Chicago Wave made a name for itself in the polka industry.

Over the years Rich has shared the stage and worked with many bands and notable musicians, participated in radio, internet and TV show appearances, and enjoyed participating with Chet Kowalkowski's Polish Carolers. Rich's professional musical journey in the polka industry, with its exciting changes, has blessed him with wonderful opportunities to develop his craftsmanship while promoting polish music. His musical contributions are well-respected and emulated by current and aspiring musicians alike.

Rich worked as a tradesman painter for 37 years and retired from the construction industry at the end of 2004 and eased back performing professionally as a musician a few years later. He and his wife, Sally, continue their involvement in the polka field by memberships in The International Polka Association, USPA and Let's Polka USA Clubs. They support and promote polka music by attending dances, festivals and events throughout the year, locally and out of state. Rich likes to polka dance and he enjoys the friendship and time together with fellow musicians and fans from all around. The importance of sharing memories is instrumental in continuing the legacy of polish music to the next generation of young polka musicians to play it forward and keep the connection alive.

Rich and his brother, Bob, as the original 'Versatones' were and are part of the history of polka music.

The Sendra brothers, Rich and Bob, earned their reputation and notoriety by hard work, dedication, responsibility, perseverance and active ongoing support of polka activities and organizations. The timing of the events in their musical careers have enriched them and their love of polka music is still as strong today as it was when it all started with their first 2-piece band in 1952. They are veteran musicians who achieved and experienced satisfaction and enjoyment being an active part of polka music in its heydays.

As a performing and recording artist, the time has come for recognition of Rich's dedication, commitment, accomplishments and contributions in the support and promotion of polka music and makes him a deserving candidate for induction into The International Polka Music Hall of Fame.

Discography - list of musical recordings

Eddie Blazonczyk & The Versatones

• Polka Parade


• Polkas - Here Come the Versatile Versatones


• Something New Just for You


• Musically Yours


• Let's Hear a Polka


• Polka Tour


• Polish Party ADULTS ONLY


• Polkas A Plenty


• America's Most Wanted Polka Band


• Christmas Time With the Versatones


• Christmas in Chicago

Park Lane Singers

• Bride and Groom Waltz

The Tones Orchestra

• Polkas From the Heart of Chicago


• On Top of the World


• 200 Years of Polka Music