The polka is originally a Czech dance and genre of dance music familiar throughout all of Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the nineteenth century in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. The polka remains a popular folk music genre in many western countries, and is performed by many folk artists.
Frank John Yankovic was an American accordion player and polka musician. Known as "America's Polka King", Yankovic was considered the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style during his long career. He was not related to fellow accordionist and song parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic, although the two collaborated.
The 28th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 25, 1986, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year, 1985.
Damon Records was a United States record label.
The 31st Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 22, 1989, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.
The 29th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 24, 1987, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.
The 30th Annual Grammy Awards were held March 2, 1988, at Radio City Music Hall, New York City. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.
Larry Coryell was an American jazz guitarist.
Musikfest is an American music festival that has been held annually since 1984 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It claims to be the nation's largest non-gated free music festival. The festival begins on the first Friday in August and ends on the second Sunday thereafter.
Chesky Records is a record company and label founded in 1978 by brothers David and Norman Chesky. The company produces high-definition recordings of music in a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, pop, R&B, folk and world/ethnic. Chesky artists include McCoy Tyner, Herbie Mann, David Johansen and the Harry Smiths, Joe Henderson, Macy Gray, Chuck Mangione, Paquito D'Rivera, Ron Carter, Larry Coryell, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli, Babatunde Olatunji, Ana Caram, and Rebecca Pidgeon.
Polka is a music and dance style that originated in Europe in the 1830s and came to American society when people immigrated from Eastern Europe. A fast style in 2/4 time, and often associated with the pre–World War II era, polka remains a dynamic "niche" music in America.
Walter Solek or Walt Solek was a Polish-American lyricist, musician, performer, and radio show host who introduced English-language lyrics into polka music in the United States. Solek was known as the "Clown Prince of Polka" and died on April 1, 2005, at the age of 94.
The Rhythm Orchestra Teraz Rhythm band was a Polish musical group that was active from the early 1970s to early 1990s in New England and eastern Canada. The group performed a wide range of folk and popular music styles including polka, oberek, waltz, rock, country, tango, cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, swing, and rumba. As a favorite among the Polish diaspora or Polonia of the Greater Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts region, the group played at dances, weddings, picnics, festivals, and anniversaries which were frequently held at venues such the Polish National Home in Hartford, Connecticut, Gen. Haller Post 111 and the Falcons Nest 88 in New Britain, Connecticut, Polish National Alliance Park in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Pulaski Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The group's first record album, Our Homeland, was released in 1972 on the Holyoke-based Rex Records label, which was founded by Joe "Papa" and Wanda Chesky, parents of Polka Hall of Famer Larry Chesky. Subsequent albums were released on the group's own record label, Wisła Records, which was based in Newington, Connecticut, and Westfield, Massachusetts. Four out five of the group's original members were born in Poland where their musical interests began.
Café is the stage name of Edson Aparecido da Silva, sometimes credited as Edson da Silva or Café da Silva, a percussionist, singer, composer, and music producer born in Villa Maria, São Paulo, Brazil. He moved to the U.S. in 1985.
Holyoke High School is a public high school in western Massachusetts, United States that serves the City of Holyoke. Since 2015, the school, along with the district, has been in state receivership and through a series of changes in practices, such as innovative restorative justice disciplinary programs, has seen marked improvement in student retention and graduation rates. In the 2017-2018 school year Holyoke High received higher combined SAT scores than the average for schools in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
Mark Sherman is a jazz vibraphonist, pianist, drummer, producer, arranger, author, and classical percussionist.
Larry Chesky, born Lawrence J. Ciszewski, was an American accordion player, Polka band leader, inductee in the International Polka Hall of Fame, and manager of the Rex Records label.
Dana Records was an American record label for Polish and polka music. Founded by Walter Dana in New York 1945, it was a significant player in the United States' recorded music market for a few years mid-century, its most successful year being 1952.
