Thomas Smigielski
Hall of Fame – 1989
Thomas (Smiley) Smigielski (1909-1977) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin was known as the Polka and Latin King of the concertina. At the early age of 11, he began to play the concertina as he was influenced by his father and four brothers who also played.
Smiley formed his own orchestra in his teens and he always had more than one concertina playing in his band. Harry Jacobs, Max King, and Al Roberts were among them.
Smigielski taught music at Wojeck’s, Polonia, Karpek’s, and Lincoln Music Houses.