Johnny Karas
Living Category – Inducted 2001
Johnny Karas, lead vocalist and tenor saxophone for
the Jimmy Sturr Band, has regaled audiences with his virtuosity for over
forty years. His intensity, versatility and creativity on the tenor sax
have resulted in most observers describing him as one of, if not the
best saxophonist ever in the polka field. His unique vocal styling and
phrasing have afforded him the recognition of being one of the finest
vocalists in the industry. Bobby Vinton has called Johnny the “heart
and soul” of the Jimmy Sturr Band.
John Stephan Karas was born on June 10, 1948, to
the late Anthony and Carrie Karas. It was the desire of his parents
that he would not toil in the coke ovens of Bethlehem Steel as his
father did. Along with his brother Tom and sisters Karen and Donna, the
best education was a priority. John’s mother also believed that her
sons possessed the talent to excel in music. Living in a predominantly
Polish community on the East Side of Buffalo, it was her wish that they
would continue the tradition of Polish ethnic music. The rest is
history.
John’s musical career began at an early age. At
the age of seven, John’s parents encouraged him to study the clarinet
with Frank Keiliesh, a teacher at Edwin’s Music Store. Within two
years, nine-year-old John and his eleven-year-old brother Tom formed the
Tommy K Trio and were performing professionally in Erie County, NY.
They appeared weekly at the Glen Park Casino and Town Casino in the
variety show, “Mrs. Dunn’s Stars of Tomorrow”, an ensemble of what was
considered to be the best young talent in the western New York area.
In the 1960’s, the band became Tommy K and the
Little New Yorkers. On January 1, 1966, John and Tom joined forces with
Gino Kurdziel and the late Gene Martin of the legendary New Yorkers
Orchestra to form the original G-Notes. It wasn’t long before the
G-Notes became one of the most popular groups around demonstrating great
talent and versatility. John continued to excel on the clarinet,
saxophone and flute. He broadened his talents and became one of the
first reed players in the Polka field to double on trumpet further
demonstrating the uniqueness that defined the band. Saxophonists
continued to marvel at his ability to triple tongue. His featured solo
on the song “Night Train”, playing the alto and tenor sax simultaneously
has become legendary. As manager of the G-Notes in 1973, John led the
group to record their first album, “The G-Notes at Last”. To this day,
many regard this album as one of the finest polka albums ever recorded.
Most of the songs arranged and selected by his brother Tom showcased
John’s unique musical ability. “The Orange Blossom Special”, “The
Tennessee Waltz”, and the “Fireball Mail” launched John into becoming
one of the most respected and emulated tenor saxophonist in the
industry. “The Saxarinet Polka” is considered by most to be Johnny’s
signature song. He performs his famous “off the cuff” solo to this day.
In 1978, Jimmy Sturr recognized Johnny’s musical
ability and asked him to join the Jimmy Sturr Band. John’s desire to
take his talent and polkas “to the next level” prompted him to
enthusiastically accept Jimmy’s offer. In April 1979, John became a
member of the band. He immediately became the lead vocalist and has
recorded over fifty albums with the ban, eleven of which were Grammy
Award winners. His contribution to the band’s success prompted Jim to
designate John as his band manager. His vocals are a trademark of the
Jimmy Sturr Band, resulting in Best Male Vocalist Awards by the United
Polka Boosters.
Throughout his career, John has had the privilege
to perform across the United States and Europe. He has appeared with
many of the great performers in and out of the polka field. John has
made guest appearances with the likes of the New Yorkers, Marion Lush,
Ray Budzilek, Frankie Yankovic, Little Wally, the Connecticut Twins, Gene
Wisniewski, Frank Wojnarowski’s Pic-A-Polka Television Show, Eddie
Blazonczyk, Lenny Gomulka, Polka Family and many more. Hw has appeared
with Willie Nelson on the Grand Ol’ Opry Stage as well as Willie’s 2000
Farm Aid benefit in Virginia. John has performed and recorded with
Bobby Vinton, The Oakridge Boys, Bill Anderson, Mel Tillis, Myron Floren,
and Flaco Jimenez. He has appeared on numerous videos as well as
nationally televised shows on the Nashville Network, CBS, NBC, ABC, and
QVC. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Garden State
Art Center, and Yankee Stadium to name a few. A highlight of his career
was to perform the “Tennessee Waltz” with the legendary Boots Randolph
at the Tropicana and Mohegan Sun Casinos.
Despite John’s busy schedule, he donates much of
his free time to the community. He is a member of the Florida Lions
Club where he served as President for three years. He is most
recognized for his creation of the Spartan Leo Club in the Florida, NY
school district. The Leo Club, a community youth organization, is an
extension of the Lions Club. In June 2000, the Florida Lions Club
presented John with a certificate designating him a “Knight of the
Blind”. In August 2000, Mayor John “Jake” Harter and the awards
committee of Florida, NY presented him with an achievement award for
Outstanding Community Service. Concurrently, Donna Benson, Clerk of
Orange County, presented him with a Distinguished Service Award. John
serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and
is a member of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as
a guest host of the Natalie Gubala Polka Fun show aired every Saturday
on WTBQ 1110 AM from Florida, NY.
In addition to performing and donating his time to
community service projects, John is a Benefits Consultant and Investment
Advisor for Myles Financial Services in Florida, NY. He also has a son,
John Michael, with whom he shares his passion for golf. |
