Al Truszkowski, better known by his fans by the stage name "Jolly Joe", has been active in the polka industry for some thirty years.
Born in Warrior Run, Pa, Al "Jolly Joe"Truszkowski is a graduate of Meyers High School (Pa). He served in the United States Navy, from which he was discharged with honors.
Jolly Joe grew up in a musical family, led by patriarch Lefty Truszkowski, who is a polka legend in his own right. Joe's brother, Pete is an accomplished drummer, accordionist, and guitarist. His sisters, Christine and Lorraine, are both masters at Guitar and piano. Joe himself is proficient at the accordian, drums, clarinet, sax, piano, & voice.
ON THE JOB TRAINING
Joe's musical knowledge was acquired soley through on the job training. He never attended music school or engaged in private instruction. "I learned it all through my father, Lefty, who for the past sixty years has been a polka musician" explains Joe.
While in high school, Joe played accordian in his father's band, Lefty and the Polka Chaps. "I was 13 or 14 at that time" he remembers. You played for the old time polka weddings and the old time polka dances. Thats where I really got my education. Thats where I really started my polka business.
Lefty Truszkowski is known for his hits, "The Anthracite Polka" and "Christmas Tree in Heaven". Says Joe, "he's a man who never got recognition that he truly deserves. He belongs, before a lot of other people, in the polka music hall of fame."
FIRST CLASS PROMOTIONS
For the past thirty years, Jolly Joe has made his living as a self employed musician and polka promoter. Over the years, he has promoted his annual Mothers Day Weekend (May) and Oktoberfest Weekend (September) at Valley View House in Kenoza Lake, New York; cruises to various exotic destinations; tours of Florida, which he runs in conjunction with the Kryger Brothers Orchastra; and tours of Germany. He was the first promoter in the country to run an International Fest, which combined German and Polish music and brought the two nationalities together. The 1976 event, held in New Jersey, was a booming success. Joe was instrumental in promoting both Oktoberfest and the Polkafest at Rocky Glenn Park (Pa). "It was my ideas", he says, "that brought other people into the promotion with me."
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Jolly Joe's dedication to the polka industry has not gone unseen. In 1983, The Polka News ( a Michigan based newspaper) named him their 1983 Polish Citizen of the Year.
"Thats an honor the will stay with me the rest of my life" says Joe. " I'll cherish it until the day that I die."
At the present time, Joe is a nominee for the International Polka Association's annual Polka Music Hall of Fame inductions. "My full time profession has been polka music for the last thirty years. This goes from promotions to television to radio to cruises to weekends to being with the band and playing all over the place."
A LOOK AT THE FUTURE
Jolly Joe insists that he will be involved in the polka industry until he takes his last breath. In addition to his own performances, radio shows, and promotions, Joe actively supports a number of polka organizations.
"There isn't a polka organization that I don't support." Says Joe.
"My future plans are to continue what I'm doing in the polka field. If I see anything wrong in the field, I'm going to open my mouth and let people know what I stand for. Honesty and fairness."
