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Special Guests
Saturday, November 23, 2002
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Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
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One might say EDDIE BLAZONCZYK has always
been destined for a life in music. Born to immigrants from the rural Tatra
Mountain region of southern Poland, he spent his hildhood participating
in a Gorale, a Polish music and danceensemble in which both of his parents
performed. He became interested in Rock & Roll during his teen years,
but after high school a friend convinced Eddie to join him in a local
"up and coming" polka group. They would become EDDIE BLAZONCZYK'S
VERSATONES. The Versatones' classic six piece format and multi-influential
roots have developed from a mixture of past Rock & Roll experience,
Country & Western, Cajun, and Tex-Mex music. Their progressive sound
has modernized polka music. They have recorded over 50 albums and in 1967
a Congressional committee awarded the title "The Nation's #1 Polka
Band" to the Versatones. Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr. has recently retired,
and his son, Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., has taken up the reins of the band
to continue the family tradition of making great Polish music.
In seven years, the SONES DE MÉXICO ENSEMBLE has established
itself as Chicago's premier Mexican folk music group. Specializing in
son, a rich and lively Mexican music, their sound is both unique and familiar.
The group's cross-cultural view of music links son to the diverse ethnic
roots of Mexico's mestizo culture: Native American, Spanish, and the often-overlooked
influence of Black music in Mexico. In 1996, Sones de México released
¡Que Florezca! (Let It Bloom) which explores Mexican
music through an ancient Aztec legend about the origin of the world and
the finding of self. Their most recent recording, Fandango on 18th
Street (2002), showcases an upbeat, all acoustic parade of music and
dance styles from across the country.
Born in Rock Island, Illinois in 1912, FRANZ JACKSON has been playing
professionally for over 70 years. He learned the Chicago Jazz style from
its originators and has become one of the greatest tenor sax players of
all time. At the age of 17, he played in a band led by Albert Ammons.
This was followed by stints with Carroll Dickerson and Jimmy Noone. He
later had the distinction of replacing Ben Webster in the bands of both
Roy Eldridge and Fletcher Henderson. His musical career then led him to
work with Earl Hines and Fats Waller. After spending time in Europe after
World War II, Jackson returned to Chicago where he formed his band Original
Jazz Stars. He can be heard on the 2001 release Yellow Fire (Delmark).
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Howard Levy
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Although he's also known for his performances on
piano and other instruments, HOWARD LEVY is best known for his
work on the harmonica. The London Observer said that "it is
hard to believe he is laying only a harmonica, for he has the expressive
range and depth of a axophonist." Levy studied piano and theory at
The Manhattan School of Music for four years, then studied pipe organ
for two more years. He went on to perform with big-name groups -- he was
a member of the jazz group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (1989 to 1992),
toured with Kenny Loggins (1993 and 1994), and played with Dolly Parton,
Styx, John Prine, Paquito D'Rivera, and others. Levy has collaborated
on several international projects, including The Music of Jimi Hendrix
concert at the 1995 Stuttgart Jazz Open. His harmonica is the featured
instrument on the score for the film A Family Thing and his recent
albums include The Old Country (1999, M.A. Recordings) and Stranger's
Hand (1999, Tone Center).
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