Left-click on the thumbnail image to view the full-size image. In some browsers, you may hover the mouse pointer over the image to view a brief description.

Kadlubowski, Walter Sr. ( – 1937)

  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Manufacturer (Star Concertina), Musician, Promoter
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1994)

Walter Kadlubowski Sr.; undated

Back to Top

Kadlubowski, Walter Jr. ( 1927 – 1991)

Walter Kadlubowski Jr.; undated

Back to Top

Kaminski, James

  • Lackawanna, New York
  • Musician
  • Bands: Steel City Brass, Buffalo Brass, Nickel City Boys

Back to Top

Kaminski, Mildred (Concertina Millie)

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Bandleader, Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1982)

Concertina Millie; 1964 Concertina Millie; 2003 Concertina Millie; 2006 Syl Janczak, Bryan O'Donnell and Concertina Millie; 2008

Back to Top

Kamont, Dick

  • Michigan City, Indiana
  • Musician, Promoter (Polka DJ – WIMS and WEFM)

Dick Kamont, Clarence Tylisz, Stanley Yagelski, Rick Yagelski; 1975 Dick Kamont, Clarence Tylisz, Stanley Yagelski, Rick Yagelski; 1975

Back to Top

Karmasian, Joe (Polka Joe)

  • LaGrange, Illinois
  • Musician

Joe Karmasian; 1990 Joe Karmasian; 1991

Back to Top

Karpek, Andrew

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Manufacturer (Karpek Concertina), Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1976)

Back to Top

Karpek, George

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Innovator, Manufacturer (Karpek Concertina), Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1982)

George Karpek; undated

Back to Top

Karwowski, Chris (1958 – )

  • Ridgewood, New York
  • Musician
  • Bands: Mike Niemiec’s Variety Band, The Hitmen, Jolly Rich

Back to Top

Katelan, George

  • Pennsylvania
  • Musician

George Katelan, 1920

Back to Top

Kath, Clarence (Ben)

  • Arlington Heights, Illinois
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2006)

Tom Sandel, Ben Kath; 2006 John Rakoski, Ben Kath, John Schnittker; undated

Back to Top

Kay, Sal

  • Hammond, Indiana
  • Musician

Back to Top

Kehl, Wally

  • Wisconsin
  • Bandleader, Musician
  • Bands: Wally Kehl Orchestra

Wally Kehl; undated

Back to Top

Keltgen, Kris

  • Mankato, Minnesota
  • Musician
  • Bands: Plum Krazy; Double Shot

Kris Keltgen; 2010

Back to Top

Kempinski, Mitch

  • Dearborn Heights, Michigan
  • Musician
  • Bands: DynaBrass

Mitch Kempinski; 2009

Back to Top

Kenderes, Roger (1938 – )

  • Fountain Valley, California
  • Bandleader, Musician
  • Bands: Roger and The Villagers

Back to Top

Kensy, Wally

  • Minnesota
  • Musician

Wally Kensy and Doug Dickover; 2007

Back to Top

Kerschke, Earl

  • Waukesha, Wisconsin
  • Musician

Earl Kerschke; 2006 Earl Kerschke; 2008

Back to Top

Kiewicz, Tadziu (1942 – )

  • Las Vega, Nevada
  • Musician
  • Bands: Jimmie Mieszala’s Music Explosion, 47th Street Concertina Club, Chet Lasik’s Concertina Jamboree, Dial-A-Tones, Chicago’s Milwaukee Ave, Little Richard Towalski, Chicago Polka Gents, Stas Bulanda’s All-Stars, Joe Walega’s Happy Hearts, Ed Klish and the Midnighters, Chet Kowalkowski’s Polish Carolers

Tadziu Kiewicz; 1965 Tadziu Kiewicz; 1982 Tadziu Kiewicz; undated Tadziu Kiewicz; undated

Back to Top

Kijek, Stanley

  • Naperville, Illinois
  • Musician

Stan Kijek; 1991 Stan Kijek; 2006 John Rakoski and Stan Kijek; 2008

Back to Top

King, Barney

  • Schofield, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1987)

Barney King; 1987 Barney King and Bernie King; undated

Back to Top

King, Bernie

  • Schofield, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1987)

Bernie King; 1987 Barney King and Bernie King; undated Bernie King; undated Bernie King; undated

Back to Top

King, Larry

  • Byron, Georgia
  • Musician


Larry King; 2009

Back to Top

King (Kusczynski), Max (Ervin)

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1983)

Max King; undated Max King; 1991

Back to Top

Klaman, Frank

  • Jackson, Wisconsin
  • Composer, Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1985)

Frank Klaman; 1985

Back to Top

Klinkosh, John

  • Muskego, Wisconsin
  • Musician

John Klinkosh; 2006 John Klinkosh; 2009

Back to Top

Kliszak, Casey

  • Depew, New York
  • Musician
  • Bands: Happy Richie’s Polka Band, Ampol Tones, Sunshine

Al Tucholski, Frank Stanczewski, Joe Spila, Joe Noworyta, Casey Kliszak and Len Jaskowiak; 1970 Casey Kliszak; 1992 Casey Kliszak (Photo by Al Block); 2003 Casey Kliszak (Photo by Al Block); 2004

Back to Top

Kloba, Ted

Back to Top

Klossner, Donnie

  • New Ulm, Minnesota
  • Bandleader, Musician
  • Bands: Donnie Klossner Band (Musik mit herz), Babe Wagner Band
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2005)

Donnie Klossner; 2005

Back to Top

Knapczyk, Joyce

  • Monticello, Indiana
  • Musician

Joyce Knapczyk; 2009

Back to Top

Kniess, Tom

  • Stratford, Wisconsin
  • Bandleader, Composer, Musician
  • Bands: Tom Kniess Orchestra
  • Honors: Wisconsin Band Leader of the Year (1996)

Back to Top

Knoll, Paul

  • Sarasota, Florida
  • Bandleader, Musician, Promoter
  • Honors: Wisconsin Band Leader of the Year (2004)

Paul Knoll; undated

Back to Top

Knoll, Robert

  • Harvard, Illinois
  • Musician

Robert Knoll; 1992 Robert Knoll; 2007

Back to Top

Kochanski, Andy

Andy Kochanski; 2008

Back to Top

Kocon, Ed

  • Hammond, Indiana
  • Musician, Promoter (Cicero Concertina Circle)

Ed Kocon; undated

Back to Top

Kocon, Mike

  • Griffith, Indiana
  • Musician, Promoter (Cicero Concertina Circle)

Mike Kocon; undated

Back to Top

Kocon, Peter

  • Hammond, Indiana
  • Musician, Promoter (Cicero Concertina Circle), Teacher

Pete Kocon; 2006

Back to Top

Kocon, Stanley

  • Hammond, Indiana
  • Bandleader, Musician

Back to Top

Kodet, Ambrose

  • Mankato, Minnesota
  • Musician, Technician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2004)

Ambrose Kodet; 2007

Back to Top

Kohan, Mark (1960 – )

  • Orchard Park, New York
  • Musician, Promoter (Author, Editor Polish American Journal)
  • Bands: Steel City Brass
  • Honors: Buffalo Music Hall of Fame (2003)

Mark Kohan; 1994 Steve Litwin and Mark Kohan; unknown Mark Kohan and Randy Krajewski; unknown Mark Kohan and Casey Kliszak; unknown

Back to Top

Kolpacki, LeRoy

  • Wausau, Wisconsin
  • Musician

Leroy Kolpacki; undated

Back to Top

Kondziella, Francis

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Composer, Musician

Back to Top

Konkol, Ray

  • Stevens Point, Wisconsin
  • Bandleader, Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2003)

Ray Konkol; 2003 Ray Konkol; 2005 Ray Konkol; 2006

Back to Top

Konrath, Lloyd

  • Germantown, Wisconsin
  • Musician, Promoter (World Concertina Congress)
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1999)

Lloyd Konrath; 2006 Lloyd Konrath; 2007 Lloyd Konrath; 2008

Back to Top

Kops, Earl (1930 – 2007)

  • Muskegon, Michigan
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1998)

Earl Kops; 1998 Earl Kops, Jack Zimmerman, Tom Sandel; 2006

Back to Top

Koryluk, Nick (1987 – )

  • Hicksville, Long Island, New York
  • Musician, Promoter (Internet Jockey: Polka Madness, Polka Jammer Network)
  • Bands: Lenny Gomulka and The Chicago Push, also performed with: Polka Country Musicians, Eddie Biegaj and Crusade, Dennis Polisky and The Maestro’s Men, Jolly Rich, John Steven’s Doubleshot, Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones, and Jimmy Sturr
  • Honors: Freddy “K” Kendzierski Memorial Scholarship (2005)

Nick Koryluk; 2005 Nick Koryluk; 2006 Nick Koryluk; unknown

Back to Top

Kostek, Tom (1951 – )

  • Hadley, Massachusetts
  • Musician
  • Bands: Billy Belina and Bay State, Sounds Unlimited, Heavy Chicago

Back to Top

Kotkiewicz, Leo (1937 – 2006)

  • Allison Park, Pennsylvania
  • Musician

Leo Kotkiewicz; 2003 Leo Kotkiewicz; 2004 Leo and Irene Kotkiewicz; 2006

Back to Top

Kowalkowski, Chet

  • Lockport, Illinois
  • Band Leader, Musician
  • Bands: Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones, Ampol Aires, Happy Hearts, Dial-a-Tones, Music Explosion, Paliga Polka Dots, Vibrasounds and numerous others.
  • Honors: Stan Wozniak Jr. Memorial Award (1987); United Polka Association – Best Trumpet Player (1988), International Polka Association – Hall of Fame (1991)

Eddie Blazonczyk and Chet Kowalkowski; 1965 Chet Kowalkowski; 1968 Chet Kowalkowski; 1974

Back to Top

Krafjack, Mike

  • Janesville, Wisconsin
  • Musician

Mike Krafjack; 2008

Back to Top

Krajewski, Randy

  • Toledo, Ohio
  • Musician
  • Bands: Crusade, Holy Toledo

Back to Top

Kramarczyk, Jerry

  • Harvard, Illinois
  • Musician, Teacher
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1994)

Jerry Kramarczyk and Ted Kiewicz; 1973 Jerry Kramarczyk; 1975 Jerry Kramarczyk; 1994

Back to Top

Kramas, Paul

  • Greenwood, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2003)

Paul Kramas; 2003 Paul Kramas; 2006

Back to Top

Krawiec, Greg Sr.

  • South Bend, Indiana
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2003)

Greg Krawiec; 2003 Greg Krawiec; 2006

Back to Top

Kreis, Ed

  • West Bend, Wisconsin
  • Musician, Technician (Kreis Concertina)

Ed Kreis; 2006

Back to Top

Krueger, Roy

  • Illinois
  • Musician

Rick Zarek, Dick Zarek, Roy Krueger; 2007

Back to Top

Krukowski, Erv

  • Wausaukee, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2006)

Erv Krukowski; undated

Back to Top

Krystopolski, Andrew

  • New Jersey
  • Musician
  • Bands: The Alliance

Andrew Krystopolski; undated

Back to Top

Krzebiot, Edward (Slats) (1914 – 1992)

  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Musician
  • Bands: 47th Street Concertina Club
  • Honors: United Polka Association – Special Rcognition Award (1982), Mother Theresa Home – Appreciation Award (1980)

Back to Top

Krzmarzick, Jerry

  • Rochester, Minnesota
  • Musician

Jerry Krzmarzick; 2008

Back to Top

Kubowski, Marie

  • Stevens Point, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Bands: Norm Dombrowski and the Happy Notes

Marie Kubowski; 2009

Back to Top

Kucera, Emil (Kutch)

  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Musician

Ed Pavlik, Emil Kucera and Ted Kush; undated

Back to Top

Kucera, Frank

  • El Monte, California
  • Musician, Promoter
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1983)

Frank Kucera; 1991

Back to Top

Kucera, Sonny (The Professor)

  • Arizona
  • Musician, Teacher

Sonny Kucera; 1991

Back to Top

Kujanik, Joseph

  • Gary, Indiana
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1998)

Joseph Kujanik; 1998

Back to Top

Kuklinski, Edwin

  • Rosholt, Wisconsin
  • Musician

Edwin Kuklinski; 2009

Back to Top

Kula, Tom

  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Composer, Musician
  • Bands: Ampol-Aires, Chicago Concertina All-Stars

Tom Kula; undated

Back to Top

Kurdziel, Kevin J.

  • Bloomfield, New Jersey
  • Musician
  • Bands: Variety, Jolly Rich and the Polka Stars, Freddy K Band ,Dynatones, Chicago Push, Brass Works, Chuck Pendrak, Rhythm and Sound
  • Honors: Grammy Nominee (1990)

Back to Top

Kurdziel, Richard (Richie) Sr. (1946 – )

  • Tonawanda, New York
  • Musician
  • Bands: Honky Hoppers, Buffalo Hi-Notes, Mix n Match

Richie Kurdziel; 2003 Richie Kurdziel; 2004

Back to Top

Kurszewski, Nicholas

  • Wausau, Wisconsin
  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1990)

Nicholas Kurszewski; 1990

Back to Top

Kush, Ted

  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Musician

Ted Kush; 1991 Ed Pavlik, Emil Kucera and Ted Kush; undated

Back to Top

Kwas, Irvin

  • Musician
  • Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1991)

Irwin Kwas; undated

Back to Top

Submit an Entry

Please Contact Us if you know of a person who should be included in this list of Concertina People or if you have any additions or corrections to the entries that are presented here.

Comments are closed.