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Vinny
After months of grueling contract negotiations, TBC is proud
to announce the signing of our veteran bass player and vocalist, Vinny
Bozzarelli. Polka enthusiasts will recognize Vinny's distinctive bass
playing style and vocals from many years with Jimmy Weber & The Sounds
and most recently with Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push.
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Key Statistics:
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| Place of birth: |
Latrobe, PA (Home of that "green death" beer) |
| Lovelife: |
Married to Maria (Lucotch) Bozzarelli (married 08/22/81) |
| Children: |
Evan, Adam & Alyssa |
| Instruments: |
Bass (accoustic and electric, lead guitar, violin, accordian |
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Beyond the Glory:
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| How did you get involved with polkas? |
| "My parents listened to polkas as far
back as I can remember and got myself and my brother Andy started in polka
music." |
| When did you start playing an instrument? |
| "At the age of 5, I started originally
on banjo because my dad wanted my brother Andy (who played accordian)
and I to play Slovenian style polkas. I played my first job at the age
of 7 with a local Pittsburgh group called The Jet Tones. A few years later,
Andy & I started a band which included Mike Stapinski on trumpet.
Mike's parents introduced us to the music of Marion Lush and that's all
it took. I gave up the banjo and started playing bass and polish style
polkas." |
| Of the instruments that you play, which
is your favorite? |
| "Bass guitar, espeically bass violin
(stand up bass) because it's the truest sound of all types of basses." |
| What bands have you played with? |
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Years
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Band
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| 1967 - 1976 |
The Jolly Hopps |
| 1977 - 1983 |
Jimmy Weber & The Sounds |
| 1983 - 1984 |
TBC |
| 1985 - 1990 |
Jimmy Weber & The Sounds |
| 1991 - 1992 |
Vinnie & The New Soundz |
| 1994 - 1995 |
Energy |
| 1996 - 1997 |
Common Bond |
| 1998 - 2001 |
Chicago Push |
| 2002 |
The Trel-Tones |
| 2003 |
TBC |
| Also performed with The Dynatones, Marion Lush, Stas Golanka,
Lil' Wally, Henny & The Versa J's and Ray Jay & The Carousels. |
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Discography:
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Year
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Band
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Recording
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| 1977 |
The Sounds |
Polka Night Life |
| 1979 |
The Sounds |
Polka Music That Sounds Good |
| 1981 |
The Sounds |
Open Up Your Heart |
| 1982 |
The Sounds |
Sounds Like Old Times |
| 1984 |
TBC |
Energy |
| 1985 |
The Sounds |
Soundsational Polkas |
| 1987 |
The Sounds |
Sounds From a Polka Party |
| 1987 |
Stas Golanka |
King of Honky |
| 1988 |
The Sounds |
Sounds Alive |
| 1990 |
The Sounds |
Sounds From the Heart |
| ???? |
The Sounds |
WRS Christmas Recording |
| 1991 |
Vinnie & The New Sounds |
Better Times |
| 1995 |
Rhythym & Sound |
Feel the Rhythym, Hear the Sound |
| 2000 |
Chicago Push |
Mi-Lenny-Um |
| 2003 |
TBC |
Polkas For a New Age |
| 2003 |
Chicago Push |
The Gift Of Music |
| What is your favorite recording that you recorded on? |
| "Soundsational Polkas" |
| What are your favorite bands and which ones had the greatest influence
on you? |
| "Marion Lush and the 1976 Versatones." |
| Who are your favorite instrumentalists? |
| "Stas Mikrut, Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. & Ray Brown (jazz bassist)" |
| Who are your favorite vocalists? |
| "Bob Bobin & Eddie Blazonczyk Sr." |
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