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Henry "Will"
Wilczynski
Inducted 2000
Henry “Will” Wilczynski has dedicated 53 years to music as an
arranger, composer, teacher and musician. He has written and arranged
for some of the greatest polka bands and shows of all time including:
Jimmy Sturr (Jimmy’s 10 Grammy award recordings and Christmas shows),
Myron Floren, Walt Solek, Dick Pillar, Ray Budzilek, Eddie Skinger, Ray
Henry, Connecticut Twins, Rich Bobinski, Johnny Dyno, Mike Piorek,
Polonaise Dancers, John Przasnyski and more.
He has also arranged for Pop and Country stars: Bill Anderson, Willie
Nelson and Flaco Jiminez.
At the age of 16, accordionist Henry Will started his own 9 piece polka
band but soon began receiving calls to sub in for many bands on
accordion or piano including: Walt Solek, Johnny Dyno, Walt Jaworski,
Jimmy Sturr, John Demerski & the Villagers, Eddie Skinger, John
Przasnyski and others.
Henry Will has been teaching privately accordion and piano instructions
for 48 years. His students have included Pop stars Karen and Richard
Carpenter.
He has made music the focus of his life. And, he has dedicated himself
in promoting polka music by his original compositions, arrangements,
teaching students and performances with many orchestras. Henry Will has
been a “secret weapon” and driving force behind many polka greats and
polka events.
Henry Will’s musical training started with accordion lessons at age 9.
He studied with Harold Peck – New Haven, the Institute of Music with Ed
Sansone – New Haven and Joe Viviano – NY City. Henry studied piano with
Samuel Gorsky – Hartford School of Music (University of Hartford). He
studied arranging and orchestration with Hal Jordon (privately), Asher
Zlotnik – Hartford School of Music and Bill Finnegan – privately and
briefly. Henry graduated from the University of Hartford in 1959 with a
BA in music.
Henry began playing accordion professionally at the age of 13 and had a
4-piece band. At the age of 16 he had a 9-piece polka band for which he
wrote and arranged all the music. He began playing in Walt Solek’s band
at age 17 and continued playing and arranging for him throughout the
years. Henry had his own 9-piece polka band for 5 years performing
throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts. Long Island and New York. He
played as a sub in the bands of: Jimmy Sturr, Johnny Dyno, Walt
Jaworski, John Demerski & the Villagers, Eddie Skinger, John Przasnyski
& various other groups. He is currently playing with the Maestro’s Men.
He has recorded with John Demerski (piano), Dick Pillar (piano), Rich
Bobinski (piano and accordion), Maestro’s Men (accordion, Walt Solek
(accordion), Patti & the Guys (piano and accordion) and Eddie Skinger
(piano).
Henry has arranged for Myron Floren, INN-TV star Bill Anderson, the
Jordonaires, Willie Nelson, Flaco Jimenez, The Polonaise Dancers, all of
Jimmy Sturr’s Christmas Shows and Jimmy Sturr’s ten Grammy Award winning
recordings, the Mike Piorek Christmas Shows, Walt Solek, John Demerski,
Dick Pillar, Rich Bobinski, Patti & the Guys, Ray Henry, Ray Budzilek,
Eddie Skinger, Connecticut Twins, John Przasnyski and all Johnny Dyno’s
albums.
Some of Henry’s recorded original compositions are (recorded by Jimmy
Sturr) – "Nat the Cat," "Super Chief," "Proud to be an American," "Mr.
DJ," "Break Out the Bottle," "Green Valley Oberek," and numerous others.
Henry taught piano and accordion to pop star Richard & Karen Carpenter.
Henry is mentioned and quoted in the Life Story book about the
Carpenters by author Ray Coleman. He also appeared on This Is Your Life
show with the Carpenters. Henry taught Mike Torello whose symphony has
been performed at the Lincoln Center in NY. Henry has also taught
numerous other professional and semi-professional musicians. Henry
currently resides in Northford, Connecticut, and maintains a full
teaching, arranging and performance schedule. |
