Dave Dombrowski
Hall of Fame – 2026
Dave Dombrowski is a beloved figure in the world of polka music and one of the most dedicated concertina players in Western Pennsylvania. His musical journey began at the age of five, when he started studying accordion and piano. By the time he was ten, he had added clarinet and saxophone to his repertoire, and at just thirteen, he launched his professional career, performing at weddings, picnics, and parties throughout the region.
A pivotal moment came even earlier: at age six, Dave heard the legendary Li’l Wally perform and was instantly captivated by the sound of honky-style polka music. That spark of inspiration would shape the rest of his life. Dave led his own band through the 1960s, and in 1969, he joined the Invictas Band, where he played accordion, concertina, and piano, and recorded three albums between 1969 and 1980. In 1971, he purchased his first concertina, a Glass Concertina, from Walter Menarczyk at the famed Club 505 in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to teach himself to play using the Silberhorn Method and his own keen ear.
Since 1980, Dave has been a cornerstone of Ray Jay and the Carousels, one of the most popular polka orchestras in Western Pennsylvania, contributing more than four decades of dependable, heartfelt musicianship. A gifted songwriter, his original composition “Dancing Shoes” became a hit for the band. He is a versatile performer equally at home on concertina, accordion, and piano, and as a vocalist. Over a career spanning more than sixty years, Dave has brought his music to dances, festivals, church services, and community celebrations of every kind.
Beyond performing, Dave has made a lasting impact as a teacher and mentor. Using the Silberhorn Method, music theory, and the Suzuki approach, he has taught countless students across Western Pennsylvania, passing along both technique and a deep love for the concertina to new generations of musicians. In 2024, he hosted the 40th Anniversary Litwin Concertina Jam at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, carrying forward the legacy of founders Steve and Adele Litwin with warmth, organization, and genuine care for the concertina community.
Those who know Dave describe him as generous, reliable, down-to-earth, and deeply knowledgeable about the history of the concertina. He is not only an accomplished musician but a true ambassador for the instrument and its traditions, and the concertina world is richer for his contributions.