Rhythm Orchestra (Hartford/ Springfield)


The Rhythm Orchestra Teraz Rhythm band was a Polish musical group that was active from the early 1970s to early 1990s in New England and eastern Canada. The group performed a wide range of folk and popular music styles including polka, oberek, waltz, rock, country, tango, cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, swing, and rumba. As a favorite among the Polish diaspora or Polonia of the Greater Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts region, the group played at dances, weddings, picnics, festivals, and anniversaries which were frequently held at venues such the Polish National Home in Hartford, Connecticut, Gen. Haller Post 111 and the Falcons Nest 88 in New Britain, Connecticut, Polish National Alliance Park in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Pulaski Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The group's first record album, Our Homeland, was released in 1972 on the Holyoke-based Rex Records label, which was founded by Joe "Papa" and Wanda Chesky, parents of Polka Hall of Famer Larry Chesky. Subsequent albums were released on the group's own record label, Wisła Records, which was based in Newington, Connecticut, and Westfield, Massachusetts. Four out five of the group's original members were born in Poland where their musical interests began.

Membership

Kazimierz Pabisiak - leader 1991s vocal, organ
Alicja kowalker - vocal 2005s
Michal Psutka. - vocal sax 2000s
Andrew Tokarz - drums
Stanley Kozlowski - vocal, guitar
Chris Wypasek - accordion, bass, vocal
Frank Barys - trumpet
Eric Binczewski - drums
John Burda - accordion
George Dziarkowski - reeds and guitar
Wieslaw Karolczyk - lead vocals, guitar, and bass
Bruce Krasin - reeds
Tom Lessing - drums
Felix Matecki - drums
Jenny Sierzputowski - vocals
Jesse Wrzosek - organ, accordion and vocals
Mark Bydlak - accordion and concertina
Halina Gormley - vocals
Mirek Zimniuch - vocals, guitar, bass

Discography

Our Homeland
Za Każdy Usmiech Twoj / For All of Your Smile
Coś Nowego / Something New
Dla Ciebie Polonio / To Polonia
Piękny Świat / Beautiful World
Złote Pszeboje / Greatest Hits