Todd Jurek
Hall of Fame – 2020
Todd Jurek of Fridley, Minnesota has been playing in a band for over forty years. He was taught the concertina by and played alongside Concertina Hall of Famers, Joe and Bill Czerniak with the Duluth Polka Dots and Polka Soul. Todd also played in Tony Blazonczyk’s South Side Sounds, was a founding member of Doctor Kielbasa, and most recently a founding member of The Main Squeeze. Todd appeared frequently on the Chmielewski Funtime Show and recorded with Joe Czerniak on his Hall of Fame LP, Bill Czerniak’s Mr. Concertina LP, and three CDs by Dr. Kielbasa: Just What the Doctor Ordered, The Doctor is In, and Tastes Like Chicken.
Todd has been featured at Art Ohotto’s Concertina Bowl for many years and is the organizer and promoter of the Annual Kolędy Celebration at St. Isadore’s Catholic Church in Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota which promotes the advancement of Polish Music and Culture. He plays the Polish Style of music and appreciates all styles and genres of polka music the concertina is associated with.
Todd and his wife Debbie have six sons who kept them busy over the years preventing Todd from playing steadily throughout the years. Todd, however, was always close to his music and concertina.
He is a very professional and humble entertainer and presents the concertina with pride and respect and sets a fine example for other concertina players and musicians.