Richie Zebrowski

Richard (Richie) Zebrowski is an accomplished musician from Monongahela, Pennsylvania, known for his expertise with performing with the chemnitzer concertina and piano accordion. He began his musical journey at age 6 by playing drums and accordion. At 18 years old he picked up the concertina and he didn’t look back!

At 16 years old, Richie started his performing career by joining The Grand Masters from Cleveland, Ohio. From there he took the stage with several other notable groups, including Bruno Mikos & The Harmony Stars, The Sounds, and Trel Tones. Over the years, he has also filled-in with such bands as Ray Jay and the Carousels, Party Time, The Beat, Versa J’s, Stas Golanka & His Chicago Masters, Polka Country Musicians, L’il Wally, The Knewz, the Burgh Boys, and many more. Richie is currently performing with the popular bands, the NuTones, Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push, and John Gora and Gorale.

Richie’s performance on concertina has been recognized by the International Polka Association and the United States Polka Association with awards for Song of The Year in 1982 and 1993. He has been featured playing concertina in numerous other popular recordings and live radio broadcasts with many of the bands previously mentioned.

Besides his many professional achievements, Richie has also made extraordinary efforts to promote and preserve the chemnitzer concertina. He has hosted and participated in the annual Steve Litwin Concertina Jam at the Polka Fireworks music festival; he is a prominent leader in musical Pro-Am events where aspiring amateur musicians learn from accomplished professionals how to perform their favorite instruments; he volunteers at musician clinics held during various Polka music conventions and festivals; and he has provided one-on-one concertina instruction to musicians in the Southwest Pennsylvania region. He has positively influenced many concertina musicians who desire to emulate his unique and entertaining style of musicianship.

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