The Polka Jammer Network

“Beyond The Music” - Andy Bojczuk & Tommy Wanderlich

E-Mail Andy & Tommy

BEYOND THE MUSIC
is currently on hiatus until October.

Andy Bojczuk has been playing drums professionally for over 15 years. Growing up, listening to, and loving polkas is what drove him to play the same music today. Andy has played with such bands as Big Steve’s Bellares, The Steel City Brass, The Dynatones, The Concertina All-Stars and currently the Knewz. His biggest polka influences are Larry Trojak, Eddie Blazonczyk Sr., and Frankie Liszka. He respects them for who they are and what they’ve accomplished in their lives. When not playing polkas, Andy enjoys attending Buffalo Bills and Sabres games, watching NASCAR and cooking. He and his wife Michelle have a daughter, Hannah. They reside in the town of Eden, NY.

Tommy Wanderlich has been playing music professionally for over 25 years. Besides concertina, Tommy also plays clarinet, saxophone, piano, and bass. The list of bands he has played with includes The New-Tones, The Krew Brothers, Take 3, John Góra and Gorale, The Dynatones, and currently The Knewz. He got started playing music at the age of 8 when his parents bought him his first saxophone. Tommy comes from a musical family in which his father played trumpet, mother played clarinet and violin, and brothers Sonny and Johnny played several instruments as well. Some of the influential people in Tommy's musical career are Johnny Karas, Lenny Gomulka, Eddie Blazonczyk Sr., and the late Paul Fudalla. Tommy has three Grammy nominations under his belt (1997, 1999, and 2004), with John Góra and Gorale. As for recreation, he enjoys watching sports, playing online poker, and golf.