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Eddie Zavaski
Deceased
Category - Inducted 2002
Eddie Zavaski was born in January 31, 1924 in
Rocky Hill, CT (8miles South of Hartford) to Stanley & Pauline Zavaski.
While growing up as a child he was very much influenced by music. Since
he was first generation American born, his mother Pauline was
instrumental in encouraging him to continue his Polish culture through
the arts. She encouraged him to take up an instrument too. But, as a
youngster, Eddie was an avid baseball player and as he grew so did his
ability to the game. He became so good in fact that Eddie played
semi-professional baseball. In March of 1943 he entered the armed
service and represented his country in WWII. He was honorably
discharged in February of 1946. After returning from Europe he began
playing recreational softball in Connecticut. Around 1949 he was
“bitten” by the big band era bug. Eddie began taking formal drum
lessons and practiced hour after hour on the third floor of his mother
Pauline’s home. He was now married to he beloved wife Frances.
It was during this period when he developed a
passion toward Polka music. Eddie formed his own group and began taking
bookings throughout CT. As a matter of fact, the Eddie Zavaski
Orchestra for years was regularly featured at the Polish Nat’l Home in
Hartford on Sunday evenings. Another super feature for Eddie’s band was
the “live” radio broadcast with Cousin Stan Ozimek from St. Joseph’s
Polish Club in Colchester, CT. His band consisted of 8 musicians and in
1960 Eddie recorded a tune entitled, “the Cha-Cha Polka”. This would
become his signature tune and would place him on the map of notoriety.
He would then go on to record his very first long play album entitled,
“Everybody Polka”. He produced the album on the Bay record label.
In 1962 George Curtis of Eurotone Records in
New York City contacted Eddie about recording an album. They worked
out the details and added the talents of Teresa Zapolska to sing & write
some of the tunes. The album called “Polish Echoes” was released and
with it a popular tune called “The Gorgeous Polka” emerged as a hit.
This would become Eddie’s theme song. Two years later Eddie introduced
his children Mary Ann and Eddie, Jr. to the public via a song named
“Mommy and Daddy” waltz. This tune along with others would serve to
boost Eddie’s Polka music career. He was now traveling along the
Eastern seaboard and began playing major festivals and public dances.
Plus he recorded a Christmas tune entitled, “Ignatz the Polish Reindeer”
which was hailed by fans near and far. In 1967 Eddie Zavarski’s
Orchestra was hired to play along side big band era orchestras such as
Duke Ellington, Les Elgart, Tommy Dorsey, etc. at Pagani’s Crystal
Ballroom in Elligton, CT. He would help expose Polka music fans who
were not familiar with it.
The Eddie Zavaski Orchestra was now playing 3
to 4 times a week. In 1969 he brought his son Eddie, Jr. to play
accordion in the band. Around 1970 his daughter Mary Ann was introduced
as “Polka Doll” Mary Ann. She added wonderful color and vocal talent to
the band. Eddie was now traveling more than ever. He recorded another
album on Eurotone records (Polka Happiness) and several 45 rpm
recordings.
Eddie’s band was now gaining in popularity and
getting consistent airplay of his music on the radio. In 1970 he began
appearing on television in Springfield, MA. The show was “Polka” and it
was produced weekly over channel 40. Eddie Zavaski was often featured
with his 5-piece group. Around 1973 Eddie and Happy Louie worked out an
arrangement so the band could record on Ha-Lo records. This would prove
to be a major stepping-stone for the orchestra. The album release,
“Polka Country USA” was distributed around the nation and catapulted
Eddie’s band into the Polka Arena. Tow years later he recorded “We
Believe in Polkas” and that gained him national attention.
The Eddie Zavaski Orchestra, along with Polka
Doll Mary Ann, was known for their good brand of music, variety of songs,
and entertaining performances. Everywhere they traveled people admired
Eddie’s band along with his children. As a matter of fact on Polka
publication acknowledged them as a true “Polka Family”.
Eddie was also a Polka promoter. He began
running the Memorial Day Polka Spectacular in 1977. Working in concert
with Stretch Norton of Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, CT.
Eddie developed the Polka weekend concept in Central CT bringing
national Polka bands to the area. Additionally, Eddie worked with the
Norton Family in developing regular summer Saturday evening Polka dances
with name Polka bands.
Eddie Zavarski continued to entertain, travel,
and cruise with his Polka band music through 1979. So many places and
so many wonderful people. This Polka music was something special to
Eddie; it brought him much happiness and joy to entertain people. He
was so very proud to promote his band and his music. It was decided
jointly with his family that he would retire from the music business in
1980. Little did we know that nine years later he would pass on to
Polka heaven. |
