Destined to be a prominent figure in the polka circuit, Chet Kowalkowski began his musical career with the accordion at the age of eight. At twelve, he already won his first merit of achievement for the accordion on the John Nieminski WOPA Polka Show. After entering high school, he became fascinated with the trumpet. His expert ability with this instrument earned him the first chair in the school’s concert band and shortly after…
Joe Marcissuk was born in Hamtramck, Michigan. After high school he joined the Armed Forces spending two years in World War II. In 1946 he married Wanda Kawucha and had three children, Patricia, Ronald and Sandra. In September 1958, he engaged in his first polka promotion. Obtaining sponsorship from the Am Vets, he brought into Detroit Li’l Wally to the Veterans Memorial Ballroom. Because of its tremendous success and the enjoyment which it…
John Check was born near Rosholt, Wisconsin. When he was 14, he had saved a total of $15 from picking cucumbers on his father’s farm and used this money to purchase his first single reed concertina. Within several days he had learned to play several simple melodies. Buying additional concertina music from the Vitak-Elsnic Company, he learned to play these new selections with the usual pattern of reading numbers instead of notes. Within…
By age 12, Henry Jasiewicz discovered his love for music and was practicing with a muted trumpet in his basement, often while his parents were sleeping. In the years that followed, he also spent as much time as possible learning the violin. His musical career began in the 1930’s. In 1935 he helped organize the Polish Ambassadors Orchestra. It was at this time that he DJ’d a weekly radio broadcast over WHJB radio…