Bob Banoczi
Folk (polka) musicianPolkas are Growing on the West Coast
by Bob BanocziPolkas are alive and growing in California. In upcoming issues I'll be reporting on the California polka scene as well news of Polonia in the Western states.
Since this is my first polka column for the Polish American Journal, let me introduce myself.
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in suburban Parma. Still vivid are my memories of listening to the ethnic radio programs on Sundays while my mother prepared dinner, which usually included Polish chicken soup.
After the family moved to California in the late '50s, my older brother Jack on clarinet/sax, myself on drums and accordionist Eddie Pankowski, who previously performed with Ted Maksymowicz, started a Polka hand bringing the melodies of Bernie Witkowski and eastern style polkas lo California.
In the mid '60s, I joined four other musicians and started a group known as The Cavaliers. For the next 25 years we entertained polka lovers of all nationalities in what was considered "the most popular band in Southern California." With the state of California being the melting pot it is, the band played polka music of all varieties and styles. During that quarter century,The Cavaliers produced four albums and were featured on KNBC television.
The accordion player on the first three LPs was Sam Pecorilla, originally from Detroit, who now has his own Cleveland-style band in Oregon called Sam's Country Polka Gems. Sam and his group have released two CDs; The most recent CD, issued in 1996, is titled Dog-Gones Polkas and has, the old Slovenian standard "Barking Dog Polka" as the lead song. The "dog" theme was chosen because of Sam's pug dog who always accompanies the band as it travels across the nation. In early March, the band was brought to Southern California to perform at a function put on by local polka promoters known as "Polka World." Typical of most dances out here, local musicians brought their instruments and jammed for several sets of polkas and waltzes. Some of the artists jamming were Chuck Blasick and Frank Vidergar on button box, and Chuck's cousin Ernie Blasick on accordion. Of course I enjoyed a session on drums with Sam after all these years.
Leaving the band in the early '90s, I returned to polkas and now, as Polka Bob, co-host a six hour Polka Power program on radio station KUOR 89.1 FM from the University of Redlands in Riverside County every Saturday morning. To promote polkas on the internet, I established and maintain Polka Bob's Polka WEB Page. The Web site lists bands, organizations, and dances in the Southern California area. Look for it at http://www.netcom.com/~bbanoczi.
One of the better known Polish polka bands in this area is "Roger and the Villagers" headed by Roger Kenderes. Recently a new member, Jerry Malkiewicz on bass guitar and fiddle, was added. Jerry and his brother Rick previously were members of Canadian Fiddlestix. Rick presently plays trumpet and violin with the John Gora and Gorale band. The Villagers played recently at a dance hosted by the Orange County Dance Club in Santa Ana. This dance club has been active in promoting polka dance in the area for the last 30 years. For more information, call Stella Swakoski at (714) 893-2514.
On May 17 and 18, Bernie and Fran Endres of Polka World are hosting benefit dances to promote a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Frankie Yankovic. Frankie and his good friend Joey Miskulin, who is flying in from Nashville, will perform at Club Metro in Riverside, California and the American Legion Hall in Torrance. Call (310) 281-7881.
Polka promoter Gene Swick of San Diego, who brought Frankie Liszka and The Brass Connection to California last November, has scheduled Lenny Gomulka and The Chicago Push to perform on September 17 & 18 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Van Nuys, just north of Los Angeles. Watch this column for updated information on this event.
The Orange Country Dance Club holds monthly Sunday dances in Santa Ana, CA. Call (714) 895-1033 for their dance calendar. The Southern California Polka Boosters Club holds monthly Saturday dances in Ontario. CA. Their calendar can be gotten by calling (909) 984-7649.
Outside of California, Joe Cerveny is presenting the Third Annual America's Grand Polka Festival in Las Vegas, September 14 through 17 at the Plaza Hotel and Casino. Because tickets are not sold at the door, many of the local polka aficionados in California and the western states were unable to attend last year. Call Joe at (402) 894-1330 or Roman Possedi in Las Vegas at (702) 456-8353 for tickets (while they are available) and information.
In Southern California Polonia, Helen Rogal of Palm Springs, who has recently organized The Polish Social Club of the Desert, is continuing to host meetings every third Sunday of the month. Helen can be contacted at (619) 770-2819. At the March meeting, members discussed Polish Easter traditions and participated in the art of waxing and dyeing pisanki. In April, guest speaker Florence Zakrzewski Beane, (714) 831-6555, will discuss trips to Poland arranged through AmeriPol Travel. One trip is planned for July 26th. Florence will also report on the Polish American Cultural Network's bus trip to Paso Robles for the Paderewski Festival held in March.
Next time we will bring news of The Polish Social Club of Pasadena, dance events planned for the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda California and other items from Polka California.
Send any Westcoast polka news to: Bob Banoczi, 38275 Via Huerta, Murrieta, CA 92562.
Source: Polish American Journal, Apr. 1997