polka
Thursday, 02 May 2019
polka
Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music; it originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, and is still a common genre of Czech folk music; it is also common both in Europe and in the Americas. In classical music, many polkas were composed by both Johann Strauss I and his son Johann Strauss II; a couple of well-known ones were composed by Bedrich Smetana and Jaromír Vejvoda, the author of Škoda lásky («Roll Out the Barrel»).
The polka (a 2/4-beat dance of Czech origin) should not be confused with the polska (a Swedish 3/4-beat dance with Polish roots); cf. also polka-mazurka. A related dance is the redowa.
Polkas are played in Hungary as well; in Hungarian they’re called porkák (plural).
Styles
There are various styles of contemporary polka. Of the US types, the North American «Polish-style polka» has roots in Chicago, Illinois, and can be identified as ‘Chicago honky’ and ‘Chicago push’ styles. This ‘push’ version or style of Polka features accordion, concertina, bass, drums, and (almost always) two trumpets. The ‘honky’ variation of this style uses clarinet and one trumpet; accordion is almost never used in this setting. North American «Slovenian-style polka» is fast and features piano accordion, and is associated with Cleveland. North American «Dutchman-style» features an oom-pah sound, often with a tuba, and has roots in the American Midwest. «Conjunto-style» has roots in Northern Mexico and Texas, and is also called Norteño. In the 1980s and 1990s several bands began to combine polka with various rock styles, sometimes referred to as «punk polka», «alternative polka» or «San Francisco-style».
In the pampas, there is another kind of polka (that is called polca). It is a very very fast beat, with a 3/4 compass. Instruments used: acoustic guitar (usually six strings, but sometimes seven strings), eletric or acoustic bass (sometimes fretless), accordion (sometimes piano accordion, sometimes button accordion), and sometimes some percussion is used. The lyrics always praise the gaucho warriors from the past or tell about the life of the gaucho campeiros (provincial gauchos who keep the traditions).
Organisations
The International Polka Association based in Chicago, Illinois works to preserve the cultural heritage of polka music and to honor its musicians through the Polka Hall of Fame.
Samples
Download a recording of «Jenny Lind», a polka from the Library of Congress’ California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties Collection; performed by John Selleck (violin) on October 2, 1939 in Camino, California
Some polka artists
Slavko Avsenik
Big Lou and her Polka Casserole
Eddie Blazonczyk, Chicago push
Brave Combo, alternative, two-time Grammy Award winner
The Dynatones
The Polish Muslims, Detroit polka rock band
Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
Johnny Krizancic
Global Kryner, Austrian band/pop/jazz/polka
Harold Loeffelmacher, Dutchman/Oompah
Walter Ostanek, Canada, three-time Grammy Award winner, Slovenian-Canadian
Polkacide, San Francisco punk-polka band
Stanky and the Coal Miners, Nanticoke, PA
Stephanie, «America’s Polka Sweetheart»
Jimmy Sturr, United States, fourteen Grammy Awards
Dick Suhay & His Cleveland All Stars
Lawrence Welk
«Weird Al» Yankovic
Frankie Yankovic, Slovenian-American
Norm Dombrowski and the Happy Notes
The Goose Island Ramblers
Stan Wolowic & The Polka Chips
Primus (band)
Plastyczny Ser Orkestra
The Backyardigans
The Polka Family
Polka Radio
Many communities have a dedicated polka station or a station that plays a daily/weekly polka show. If you live in the US or Canada, to find polka music on the radio in your city, a good site to visit is http://www.radio4polkas.com/
- Steve Litwin’s PAJ Polka Page – Polka news, performers, music and links from the Polish American Journal.
- Edward S Grzyb & Sons – Located in Massachusetts, with over 25 years experience as a distributor of contemporary polka CD and cassettes. Includes a catalog.
- FolkLib Index – Wisconsin Polka Bands – Comprehensive website with links and discographies for all known Wisconsin Polka Bands.
- Gloria’s Memory Lane Polka midi files – Polka and oldies memory lane. Includes MIDI files of Polka music.
- International Polka Association – Nonprofit organization promotes polka music, hosts annual convention in North America, operates the Polka Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Its Polka Time! – Craig Ebel is the host of It’s Polka Time!, a polka music radio program produced from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Jimmy K Polkas – Retailer of Polka Music recordings and videos.
- John Jeski – Polka, accordion, multimedia pages, recordings, polka party radio shows.
- Matts Polka Party – IPA Hall of Famer Matt Wasielewski, featuring his radio show, with links to polka music, it’s history, Poland, and western Pennsylvania.
- Nancy’s Place For Polkas – Comprehensive polka site for musicians wanting to sell recordings and list show dates. Also includes links to other polka sites, radio shows, and news.
- National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame – Includes info on «Cleveland-style polka,» the annual awards show, museum hours, and membership info.
- Polka CD Reviews by Nostradamus – Devoted to reviews and ratings of polka CDs. Reader submissions are welcome.
- Polka Dues and Polka Don’ts – A blog for polka musicians and fans interested in the preservation and continued development of Polka Music. Includes CD and LP reviews
- Polka Jammer Network – «The Internet’s Polka Alternative» featuring streaming 24 hours a day, polka news, and an events calendar.
- Polka John – Tex-Czech polkas and waltzes, includes links and Real Audio music files from central Texas polka bands.
- Polka Maniac – Full of fan interaction for the die hard polka fan. Reviews, quizes, sounds, dance schedules, and photos.
- Polka News – On Line Polka news from Polonia Today
- The Polka Review Show – Cindy & Larry Placek’s Polka radio show. includes polka happenings, requests and dedications, new recordings.
- The Polka Store – Tee-shirts, cups, hats and more for Polka Lovers.
- Polka USA, Felix & Stella’s Polish Dance Calendar – Polish style dance calendar, listing events near Detroit, MI., USA, and Florida.
- Polka: Wisconsin’s State Dance – From The Smithsonian Institution’s «The Mississippi River of Song» project, a survey of the main styles of polka music, and profiles of modern-day local musicians in Wisconsin.
- 247PolkaHeaven.com – 24-hour audio streaming of polka music and waltzes.
- Polkaholics Weblog – Beer drinking Polkaholic blog by the bass player of punk/polka fusion group «The Polkaholics.»
- Polkas of Yesteryear – Polka nostalgia, old forgotten sounds of familiar bands and some obscure ones.
- Polkas on the Internet. Polka Music. – John Jeski’s listing of password-free Polka Music shows and streaming programs on the Internet.
- Prime Time Polkas with Pam, Jerry and Don – 24/7 online broadcasting, news, events, and new recordings over the Pittsburgh, PA airwaves.
- Suhon.com – A computer based midi and digital audio recording facility. George Suhon is a polka recording artist. Hear some of his work in mp3 and real audio.
- Tom Coss Polka Place – Polka music, and news.
- United States Polka Association – Official website. Includes newsletters, history, and upcoming events.
- Wisconsin Polka Music – Tom Brusky’s Wisconsin polka news. With editorials, and articles on bands, organizations, dance halls, events, radio shows, awards, and more.
- ZmansNetwork – Offers 5 streaming internet radio broadcasts. Includes show information and brief host biographies.
