Bob Piven

Bob (Bobby) Piven was born and raised on Chicago’s Southwest Side and has carried the sound of the Chemnitzer concertina in his hands and in his heart for nearly his entire life. Coming from a proud Polish-American family steeped in polka tradition, Bobby was introduced to the instrument at an early age by his father, Bob, and his great-uncle Eddie Bojan, a gifted player in his own right. As a boy, his love for the concertina deepened as he listened to Chicago polka legends Li’l Wally, Eddie Zima, and Casey Homel, while his parents nurtured that passion by bringing him to polka events and encouraging him to play alongside family and friends.

By his teenage years, Bob was already performing locally and eventually formed the band Golden Classics. His career gained new momentum when Joe Walega invited him to join the Happy Hearts, giving Bobby his first experience in a well-known polka band. He went on to play with the Windy City Brass, where he honed the honky-style concertina technique that would become his hallmark. Over the course of his career, Bobby has performed with more than fifteen bands and shared the stage with some of the greatest names in polka, including Jimmy Mieszala, Li’l Richard, Wally Maduzia, and Casey Homel, learning from each and forging his own distinctive sound along the way.

A pivotal chapter in Bob’s story began when he married into the family of respected polka musician Richie Gomulka. Having grown up playing along to the “Here’s Richie Gomulka” album, Bobby never imagined he would one day call Richie his father-in-law. Richie’s guidance and firsthand stories of polka icons like Li’l Wally and Eddie Zima gave Bobby a richer understanding of the music and the instrument he loves.

Today, Bobby continues to perform with Keith Stras and Polka Confetti, where his meticulous yet seemingly effortless playing style has earned him an affectionate distinction: he is introduced at every show as “the number-one concertina performer in the universe.” Beyond the stage, Bob is a passionate advocate for the concertina’s future, mentoring younger musicians and serving as a living bridge between the classic Chicago polka tradition and the next generation of players.

Back to Hall of Fame Page