Ray Henry
Living Category - Inducted 1972
While still in his early teens, Henry Mocarski, of
Windsor, Connecticut started a polka band with Emil Juda on drums, Ray
Zak on sax, and Henry Mocarski on accordion. Using the first names of
Ray Zak and Henry Mocarski, the Ray Henry Orchestra was born. This
group played in a local restaurant for
 approximately 2 ½ years with much
of their earnings used to build up their polka library. Then they made
plans to have a 10-piece orchestra. Running ads in local newspapers,
all positions were soon filled and rehearsals begun. Hired to play a
wedding, the exposure brought immediate response. They soon found
themselves performing in many polka dancing spots in the Connecticut
area.
In 1947, while rehearsing in Hartford, Frank
Wojnarowski happened to visit the rehearsal hall. Already a popular
recording artist, Frank suggested that Ray contact Walter Dana with
respect to making records. Following his advice, “Don’t Get Married,
Son” was recorded on a 78 rpm single. The name of Ray Henry reached
national prominence. Bookings followed in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Ohio and
Detroit. The orchestra recorded some 84-78 rpm records for Dana.
“Blonde Bombshell Polka” became a hit in 1952. “Ballroom Polka” became
a hit in the mid-60’s and is standard in the polka music field today.
Since the disbandonment of the Dana Record Company,
Ray has produced two albums for the Steljo label and is presently
recording for Rola Records. Their most recent release at the time
of his induction was an album recorded
live at the Polish National Home in Hartford.
Ray Henry, his wife Gloria, and son Mark, resided in
Windsor, Connecticut, where, in addition to maintaining a full playing
schedule, Ray gave music lessons in virtually every popular instrument
of the day. He is now deceased. |
