Polka

Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music; it originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, and is still a common genre of Czech folk music; it is also common both in Europe and in the Americas. In classical music, many polkas were composed by both Johann Strauss; a couple of well-known ones were composed by Bedrich Smetana.

The polka (a 2/4-beat dance of Czech origin) should not be confused with the polska (a Swedish 3/4-beat dance with Polish roots); cf. also polka-mazurka. A related dance is the redowa.

There are various styles of contemporary polka. Of the US types, the North American "Polish-style polka" has roots in Chicago, and can be identified as 'Chicago honky' and 'Chicago push' styles. North American "Slovene-style polka" is fast and features piano, accordion, and is associated with Cleveland. North American "Dutchman-style" features an oom-pah sound, often with a tuba, and has roots in the American midwest. "Conjunto-style" has roots in Northern Mexico and Texas, and is also called Norteno.

Some polka artists:

• Slavko-Avsenik
• Eddie Blazonczyk -- Chicago push
• Brave Combo
• "Happy" Louie Dusseault
• "Li'l" Wally Jagiello -- Chicago honky
• Walter Ostanek, Canada, three-time Grammy Award winner
• Jimmy Sturr, United States, thirteen Grammy Awards
• Lawrence Welk
• Whoopee John Wilfahrt -- Dutchman
• Frankie Yankovic -- Slovenian