hank
haller
Haller earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Case Western Reserve University, worked at NASA for 20 years, and another 15 for the U.S. Department of Defense... but never mind that.
What matters to Oktoberfest-Goers is Hank Haller's prolific career as a recording
artist. To his credit, he has 62 albums and three videos, with
an estimated one-quarter of a million albums sold.
While a leading proponent of German-style polkas, Haller is also a big
fan of Cleveland-style
polkas.
His parents, Henry and Katherine, emigrated to Cleveland from a German settlement
in the former Yugoslavia, seven decades ago. At the age of eight, Haller started
playing the piano accordion, but swtiched to clarinet after his teacher expressed
doubts as to his talent. At age 16, he picked up the accordion
again and joined his uncle Jake Haller's band. Within 5 years,
Hank became the leader, and the Hank Haller band was just beginning a run that
would last for 48 years and counting.
Haller started playing on a regular basis for his friend Steve Bencic, at the
Sachsenheim Club, in 1958. A few years later, Bencic opened the "Hofbrau
Haus" restaurant in Cleveland, and named Haller the house band.
When Bencic first introduced "Oktoberfest" to United States audiences,
Haller was thre. In the intervening years, the numerous Oktoberfest celebrations
held each fall created a showcase for Haller and his band, who play over 110
dates per year.
In 1987 Haller's album, "Thank
You Dear and Give Her Roses" was nominated for a Grammy.
For 30 years he was joined on stage by his wife Maryanne, who sang with the
Haller Ensemble. Haller sings on many of his recordings,as well as featured
vocalists Ray Young and Ken Umeck.
During the 27 years in which Polka Varieties' was
on air in Cleveland, the Haller Band made over 200 appeaances.. He also
found time to host a German radio show.
Haller has expanded his repertoire to includein Bohemian,
Slovak, and Austrian polkas.
DON WOJTILA BAND
Record of the Year winner for 2006's Polkas on Broadway, the Don Wojtila Band features five time vocalist of the Year Christine Hibbs, Al Bambic on drums, Dave Skajnor on bass guitar, Ted Carillo on banjo, and brothers Joe and Mike Wojtila on piano and saxaphone respectively. Other recording by the Don Wajtila Band include Country House Polkas, Red Hot Polkas, and Polka Lovin' Gal. Now in their 38th year of producing some of the finest Bavarian flavored music around, Oktoberfest is thrilled to have the creators of Polkas on Broadway play some polkas on Bagley!
dan
zola swing big band
Ever since the release of Swingers, a whole new generation has come to appreciate swing dance and big band music. Steeped in the tradition of famous swing and dance bands like Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Harry James, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra, The Dan Zola Orchestra has kept audiences hopping since 1962. Whether it's Swing, Latin, or Fox Trot, this 19 piece ensemble brings back the thrilling and nostalgic days of big band music.
Recreating the legendary sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Helen Ward, Doris Day, vocalist Dianne Palmer is a true virtuoso.
The Dan Zola Orchestra has accompanied name personalities, been featured on television, radio and performed live throughout the region.
deutscher
musik verein
Oktoberfest is excited to present Deutscher Musik Verein (or auf englisch, the German Music Society) of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Deutscher Musik Verein is a 25-piece German brass band, under the direction of award-winning musician and band leader Fred Ziwich. Beyond orgainzing a wonderful band, Deutscher Musik Verein has done exceptional work as an organization--its mission being to preserve and celebrate German musical heritage and culture.
fred
ziwich & the
international sound machine
Nominated for a Grammy in 2007, Fred Ziwich of
North Olmstead, Ohio, is one of the seminal musicians
in the world of polka. If he were said to have an emphasis, it would likely be the Slovenian style.
Well grounded musically, Fred has earned a Bachelor of Music Education
(BME) degree from Indiana University. His own award-winning band--the
International Sound Machine--has produced numerous recordings since its
inception in 1977.
The National Cleveland-Style Polka
Hall of Fame has honored Ziwich on multiple occassions with Musician of the
Year, Button Box Musician of the Year, and Recording of the Year honors.
In addition to receiving numerous awards,
Fred has worked as a studio musician and has shared the stage
with such well-known musicians as Hank Haller, Don Lipovac, and Adam Barthalt.
JOE WENDEL
Dr. Joe Wendel began his broadcasting career in 1961 on former ethnic radio station, WXEN as a sportscaster! He was the voice of the Cleveland Stokers, a professional soccer team that was brought over from England by some local investors. But, the Stokers only lasted a couple of years and Joe – an Austrian native – turned his radio focus to spreading the word about Greater Cleveland’s German-speaking citizens. Sports and radio aside, Joe has also boosted the German culture through his expertise on the “stomach Steinway” --- the accordion he sports as the leader of the Joe Wendel Orchestra. This ensemble regularly tours around the country, playing numerous local festivals, as well as such entertainment hot spots as Las Vegas and the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Music, whether it is on the radio or on the stage is a labor of love for Joe Wendel. In addition to being an entertainer, Joe has a long history as an educator, holding a doctorate in Educational Administration and School Law.
S.t.V.
bavaria
Website: stvbavaria.org
For
more than 70 years, audiences all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, have turned
out to watch the colorful "Dirndls" twirl into the arms of Lederhosen-clad "slap
dancers" as S.T.V. Bavaria performs.
Schuhplattling in Cleveland dates back to the early 20's when four couples joined the German-Austrian singing society "Blau Donau." This group of Alpine dancers, singers, and musicians would later form the Schuhplattler und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau.
In January of 1966, various Schuhplattler groups from the U.S. and Canada united to form the Gauverband Nordamerika, which also holds a bi-annual convention and dance competitions. On October 21, 1966, members of the Schuhplattler und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau voted to become independent of their parent singing society and remain in the Gau. Thus, the Schuhplattler und Trachtenverein "Bavaria" as it is known today, was formed.
In May, 1972, about 1,200 dancers and guests came to Cleveland to dedicate the club's flag at St. John's Cathedral. During that same year, Steve Bencic started the Oktoberfest where "Bavaria" continues to entertain hundreds of thousands every Labor Day weekend.
In 1973 STV dancers placed first in the Gaufest in Washington, DC, and have since brought back to Cleveland 7 gold medals and various other honors.
Bavaria consists of a children's
group and a teen through adult group, each performing dances
from the Tyrol region in Europe, wearing authentic costumes or "tracht."