Meet The Guys

	Jason is one of the better known faces around polka music. He's played with Eddie Blazonczyk, Tower City Drive, and more. He's one of the finest trumpet players in the business, and definitely one of the most approachable personalities in Polka Music. He's a Cleveland icon! Ok, Jason - do I get the $200 now? Jason has recently been nicknamed "The Tin Voice Of Polkas"! (Not sure if he likes that one yet!) Jason's also in charge of personnel in the band, making sure everyone knows where to be and when.
Jason Uzl
	Jimmy K began playing professionally at the tender age of 11. He's composed original songs that were regional hits, and had a strong following in Michigan for many years. Jim led the "Harmony Jac's" band in the early 70's, which continued nearly 20 years. Jim later played with the Dynabrass, The Polish Kid, and then formed "Jimmy K & Power Play" in the mid-1990's, a group that lasted only 2 1/2 years. It was at that time, Jimmy K decided to "retire" from playing. After a couple of years, he was approached by Mark Janson & the Brass Express to play. He agreed to join if he could play bass guitar, do vocals & MC work, and played in the band for 5 years in that role. A couple years passed, and he was approached by Toledo Polkamotion to play accordion. He had not even picked an accordion up in nearly 8 years, and the thought of re-learning the accordion, playing new material, and playing the bass on the left hand of the accordion (for the first time ever) was daunting. He did join the band, and worked to re-gain his skills. He stayed with TPM until the band disbanded, and gained life-long friendships with the other members, Joe Zalewski, Jack Beachly, Eddie Siwiec, and our own Jack Beachly, who persuaded him to join Ethnic Jazz in 2006. Jimmy K is in charge of bookings for the band. Call him today and book us! 440-846-0404 - Really - call him!!
Jimmy K
	Joe's been around a long, long, LONG time! Man, that's a long time! I mean, holy .................................... He's played with TBC, Bruno Mikos, Ray Budzilek, Tower City Drive, and other local Cleveland bands, has filled in for numerous "road bands", and more. Joe's nick name is "J.R.", reminiscent of the old "Dallas" TV show - a name started by Bobby Calvert in the TBC days. Joe started playing drums at 5 years old, and has carved his way into the music scene in a big way, with his very own unique style of drumming. Joe's love for the music is only surpassed the the love he has for his blushing new bride, Sandy. In his spare time, he enjoys a ride on the new "bike", and especially enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. Favorite bands - Eddie Blazonczyk & the Versatones (the early years), and The Tones of the 1970's. Ethnic Jazz is proud to have him!
Joe Rosinski
	Jack's definitely a fixture in polka music. He's played with Lenny Gomulka, Frankie Liszka & TBC, the Trel Tones, Toledo Polkamotion, Dynasonics, John Gora & Gorale & more. He's filled in with dozens of Polka bands all over the country, and traveled from coast to coast while playing. Jack is a very accomplished concertina player, excels on bass guitar, plays trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax, guitar, keyboard, accordion, banjo, mandolin, violin, and about 50 others we couldn't think of in time to type this bio. Jack's smile rarely leaves his face, and he's made thousands of friends in music during his relatively short career (20 plus years is short to the old guys!) Jack's also the equipment manager for the band, in charge of getting all the "Stuff" to the gigs, as well as the band members!
Jack Beachly
	We'll get Verne's real bio soon! Verne is our bass player & sometimes concertina player. It's difficult to judge which instrument we like him better on, as he's absolutely rock solid and equally comfortable on both.
Verne Maddie
	At the age of nine, Rich started to play the concertina after his father brought a Star Concertina home from Chicago in 1964. He took lessons for a few years from Mr. Adam Wisnieski in Pittsburgh and the Polka-Aires of Ambridge asked him to join the band in 1969. The Polka-Aires recorded three albums between 1969 and 1973. Rich then played for Bruno Mikos’ Harmony Stars from 1974 through 1979 and recorded four albums. From 1979 to 1987, Rich organized, performed, and recorded six albums with award-winning TBC (The Brass Connection). In the past two years Rich has performed with Ethnic Jazz from Cleveland, Ohio, Freeze Dried from Chicago, Illinois, and Badinov of Toledo, Ohio He is married to Barb and they have two children Krystin and Mark.
Rich Benkowski