Walter Jagiello
Encyclopedia
Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello, "Mały Władziu" (August 1, 1930 – August 17, 2006), was an American
(of Polish background) polka
musician
and songwriter
from Chicago
, Illinois
. A self-taught Chemnitzer concertina
and drum player, who sang perfect Polish as well as English in many of his songs. His most famous compositions include "Pukaj Jasiu" "No Beer in Heaven" and "I Wish I Was Single Again". His song "Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox
", as recorded by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
underwent a resurgence in 2005.
Originally starting out at the age of 8 singing with the Eddie Zima Orchestra performing up and down "Polish Broadway" in Chicago, Wally soon struck out on his own and formed his own band "The Happy Harmony Boys". He was a pioneer in the concept of the independent record label
, starting his own Jay-Jay Records in 1951 after a brief career recording stint on Columbia Records
, at the age of twenty. He was renowned for his drumbeat and slower and more danceable tempo, which became a mainstay of "Chicago Style" Polish polka sound. His arrangements of many popular Polish folk tunes, and many originals as well, are those used today by polka bands all over the United States. His nickname was derived from his short stature (5 foot 6 as an adult), especially during his youth, when he would stand on a picnic table to sing.
The highlight of Jagiello's career was performing for Pope John Paul II
in 1984, who requested Wally to continue playing after his initial song, "God Bless Our Polish Pope". The pontiff blessed him after his performance, telling him "God will reward you for all your hard work."
He also appeared several times playing his concertina on The Lawrence Welk Show
. He was one of the first two inductees into the International Polka Association
's Hall of Fame in 1969. All total, he has collected 17 gold and 4 platinum records.
In his later years, he retired to Miami Beach, Florida
, but continued to perform and record and please audiences nationwide. Li'l Wally died in 2006 in Florida
at the age of 76.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(of Polish background) polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. A self-taught Chemnitzer concertina
Chemnitzer concertina
A Chemnitzer concertina is a musical instrument of the hand-held bellows-driven free-reed category, sometimes called squeezeboxes. The Chemnitzer concertina is most closely related to the Bandoneón , more distantly to the other concertinas, and accordions.- Physical description :It is roughly...
and drum player, who sang perfect Polish as well as English in many of his songs. His most famous compositions include "Pukaj Jasiu" "No Beer in Heaven" and "I Wish I Was Single Again". His song "Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox
Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox
"Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox" is the fight song of the Chicago White Sox of the American League.The song first appeared in 1959 during the White Sox' run for the AL pennant--the team's first league championship since the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919. It was written by former White Sox minor...
", as recorded by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers was a country-comedy band that performed largely in the Midwest United States from the late 1930s into the 1960s.-Members:...
underwent a resurgence in 2005.
Originally starting out at the age of 8 singing with the Eddie Zima Orchestra performing up and down "Polish Broadway" in Chicago, Wally soon struck out on his own and formed his own band "The Happy Harmony Boys". He was a pioneer in the concept of the independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
, starting his own Jay-Jay Records in 1951 after a brief career recording stint on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, at the age of twenty. He was renowned for his drumbeat and slower and more danceable tempo, which became a mainstay of "Chicago Style" Polish polka sound. His arrangements of many popular Polish folk tunes, and many originals as well, are those used today by polka bands all over the United States. His nickname was derived from his short stature (5 foot 6 as an adult), especially during his youth, when he would stand on a picnic table to sing.
The highlight of Jagiello's career was performing for Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1984, who requested Wally to continue playing after his initial song, "God Bless Our Polish Pope". The pontiff blessed him after his performance, telling him "God will reward you for all your hard work."
He also appeared several times playing his concertina on The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
. He was one of the first two inductees into the International Polka Association
International Polka Association
The International Polka Association, IPA is located in Chicago, Illinois and dedicated to the study and preservation of polka music and the cultural heritage of Polish Americans who have made this music tradition part of their heritage. The IPA hosts an annual festival and convention as well as its...
's Hall of Fame in 1969. All total, he has collected 17 gold and 4 platinum records.
In his later years, he retired to Miami Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, but continued to perform and record and please audiences nationwide. Li'l Wally died in 2006 in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
at the age of 76.
Discography
| Title | Hi-Fi Number | Stereo Number |
|---|---|---|
| America's Favorite Polka and Waltz Band | Jay Jay 1001 | Jay Jay 5019 |
| Happy Polkas | Jay Jay 1002 | Jay Jay 5020 |
| New Sound By The Best Around | Jay Jay 1003 | Jay Jay 5005 |
| Polka Bandstand Favorites | Jay Jay 1004 | |
| The Polka Beat For Your Dancing Feet | Jay Jay 1006 | Jay Jay 5037 |
| Jolly Polkas | Jay Jay 1008 | |
| Old Country Polish Polkas | Jay Jay 1010 | Jay Jay 5001 |
| Polka Party | Jay Jay 1012 | |
| I Love To Polka | Jay Jay 1014 | Jay Jay 5000 |
| All-American Polkas | Jay Jay 1016 | Jay Jay 5004 |
| Koledy - Polish Christmas Carols Volume 1 | Jay Jay 1017 | |
| Wesoło Do Tańca | Jay Jay 1018 | Jay Jay 5006 |
| Thanks For A Wonderful Evening | Jay Jay 1020 | Jay Jay 5008 |
| Koledy - Polish Christmas Carols Volume 2 | Jay Jay 1023 | Jay Jay 5011 |
| Po Staro Krajsku | Jay Jay 1025 | |
| Dance Around The Christmas Tree | Jay Jay 1026 | Jay Jay 5012 |
| Polkas & Waltzes For Everyone | Jay Jay 1027 | Jay Jay 5013 |
| Smutku Niema, Gdy Mały Władziu Spiewa | Jay Jay 1031 | Jay Jay 5017 |
| Hit Parade | Jay Jay 1032 | Jay Jay 5018 |
| Let's Sing Together | Jay Jay 1034 | Jay Jay 5022 |
| Beautiful Polka Music | Jay Jay 1035 | Jay Jay 5023 |
| Songs You've Been Waiting For | Jay Jay 1036 | Jay Jay 5036 |
| Christmas Time | Jay Jay 1039 | Jay Jay 5026 |
| Polka Twist | Jay Jay 1041 | Jay Jay 5028 |
| Polish Polka Twist | Jay Jay 1044 | Jay Jay 5031 |
| Polish Sing-A-Long #2 | Jay Jay 1047 | Jay Jay 5034 |
| 50/50 Polkas & Waltzes | Jay Jay 1050 | Jay Jay 5050 |
| Something Different | Jay Jay 1052 | Jay Jay 5052 |
| Golden Waltzes | Jay Jay 1053 | Jay Jay 5053 |
| Dancing Fingers featuring Nervous Freddie | Jay Jay 1055 | Jay Jay 5055 |
| Sing with Me #3 | Jay Jay 1056 | Jay Jay 5056 |
| Nowe Wesołe Piosenik Ludowe | Jay Jay 1057 | Jay Jay 5057 |
| Here Comes Li'l Wally | Jay Jay 1058 | Jay Jay 5058 |
| Polka Stars on Parade | Jay Jay 1059 | Jay Jay 5059 |
| My Vacation | Jay Jay 1064 | Jay Jay 5064 |
| Jeszcze Nasza! | Jay Jay 1065 | Jay Jay 5065 |
| Hot Chicken | Jay Jay 1069 | Jay Jay 5069 |
| One Man Band | Jay Jay 1073 | Jay Jay 5073 |
| Polish Party - Adults Only | Jay Jay 1077 | Jay Jay 5077 |
| Li'l Wally's Greatest! | Jay Jay 1078 | Jay Jay 5078 |
| Oh Boy, Polka Joy | Jay Jay 1079 | Jay Jay 5079 |
| A Polka Christmas | Jay Jay 1080 | Jay Jay 5080 |
| Pieknie Gra Poleczki Od Ucha | Jay Jay 1081 | Jay Jay 5081 |
| Bartender Song | Jay Jay 1086 | Jay Jay 5086 |
| Polish Wedding Album | Jay Jay 1089 | Jay Jay 5089 |
| Spiew I Głos | Jay Jay 1091 | Jay Jay 5091 |
| Do The Li'l Wally Twirl | Jay Jay 1094 | Jay Jay 5094 |
| Li'l Wally In Miami Beach | Jay Jay 1097 | Jay Jay 5097 |
| Nice With Polish Spice | Jay Jay 1098 | Jay Jay 5098 |
| Live It Up - Zyj Bracie! Po Polsku! | Jay Jay 1103 | Jay Jay 5103 |
| Sincerely Yours | Jay Jay 1104 | Jay Jay 5104 |
| Mr. Happy Music | Jay Jay 1107 | Jay Jay 5107 |
| Polka A Go-Go | Jay Jay 1110 | Jay Jay 5110 |
| A Tribute To Zima | Jay Jay 1112 | Jay Jay 5112 |
| Polish Adults Hit Parade | Jay Jay 1113 | Jay Jay 5113 |
| International Golden Hits | Jay Jay 5019 | |
| Li'l Wally Sings Po Polsku with Eddie Zima and His Band | Jay Jay 5099 | |
| Poland Tour | Jay Jay 5101 | |
| Kolędy Swiąteczne | Jay Jay 5105 | |
| Kochana Mama | Jay Jay 5114 | |
| Li'l Wally Salutes Lawrence Welk | Jay Jay 5117 | |
| Sing Along No. 4 | Jay Jay 5118 | |
| There's More To A Wedding | Jay Jay 5119 | |
| More New Polish Favorites | Jay Jay 5123 | |
| Polish Sing Along No. 5 | Jay Jay 5124 | |
| Witamy Prezydenta | Jay Jay 5121 | |
| Polish Sex | Jay Jay 5122 | |
| Thank You | Jay Jay 5127 | |
| Polish Carnival Time | Jay Jay 5132 | |
| Bombs | Jay Jay 5133 | |
| Unforgettable Hits | Jay Jay 5134 | |
| Suggestive and Hot | Jay Jay 5135 | |
| Cieple Portki | Jay Jay 5137 | |
| Stary Kaziu Gra | Jay Jay 5138 | |
| Polish Hits of the 50's | Jay Jay 5141 | |
| Polka Party With Li'l Wally | Jay Jay 5147 | |
| Proud To Be An American | Jay Jay 5148 | |
| America's Greatest Polka Band | Jay Jay 5151 | |
| Polskie Czucie - Polish Feelings | Jay Jay 5153 | |
| Li'l Wally Brings Happiness To You | Jay Jay 5162-3 | |
| Fantasztyczne | Jay Jay 5165 | |
| National Hits | Jay Jay 5164 | |
| Jolly Times "Wesole Czasy" | Jay Jay 5166 | |
| The Best! Co Jest! | Jay Jay 5167 | |
| Jagiello Sound Vol. 1 | Jay Jay 8000 | |
| Jagiello Production Vol. 2 | Jay Jay 8001 | |
| Jagiello Sound Vol. 3 | Jay Jay 8002 |