Joe Bernat

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Here I will provide some information about modern polka music. You will also find links to my favorite polka websites and polka bands.

Like many people of Polish descent, I was exposed to Polish customs and music through my grandparents, who immigrated to the U.S. around the turn of the century. My family observes many Polish customs and traditions to this day. Polka music is part of that.
Around 1960, musicians in Chicago, Ill., began to meld traditional Polish folk songs and American influences into what was to become known as Chicago style polkas. The basic instrumentation of the Chicago style polka band consists of 2 trumpets, accordion, electric bass, and drums. Some bands also use any or all of the following: concertina, clarinet and/or sax, violin. Vocals can be sung in either Polish or English.
This music is generally slower than Eastern/Slovenian style polka music, and with the slower tempo came a variation of the polka dance step. This is characterized by an even 3 footsteps on the first three eighth notes of the measure, and a pausing bounce on the last eighth note of the measure. This dance is known as the Chicago hop, or sometimes referred to as just hop.
At around age 5, my parents started bringing the family to polka dances throughout western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. We also attended many Polka Festivals, such as Polka Fireworks as Seven Springs Resort. In fact, I attended the 25th anniversary of the Polka Fireworks back in July, 1999. It's hard to believe I've been going to that festival for 25 years!
In 1980, I started my own polka band with some friends from high school. We called ourselves the Polka Power band. Here is a picture of us:
Click on image to view a larger version.

I played drums and sang, and it was in this band that I first learned how to read and pronounce the Polish language.
I have written a couple of MIDI files of polka music. You can listen to them by clicking on these links:

Here are some links to some of my favorite polka bands:

Toledo Polkamotion Band

Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push

The New Tradition

The Brass Connection

Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones

Here are some links to polka web pages:

Fiedor's Grove Picnic Grounds

Steve Litwin Polka Page

Tom Brusky's Polkasond Productions

PolkaFan.com