Residents, families and staff enjoy our an Oktoberfest Celebration and meal while listening to Grammy nominated Accordionist Kevin Solecki. Kevin played familiar favorites as well as tunes that got everyone in the Oktoberfest mood!ABOUT OUR OKTOBERFEST ENTERTAINER: KEVIN SOLECKI: PROFESSIONAL ACCORDIONIST...
At the early age of 10, Kevin started playing solo accordion performances. He could be found playing at nursing and senior homes, weddings, anniversaries, church functions, restaurants, and private parties. Some of Solecki’s earlier highlights included a performance on Detroit’s WCAR Radio in July 1989, a television appearance on Detroit’s WXYZ TV in March 1991, and an interview with his hometown newspaper, The Warren Weekly, in February 1992.
Over the past dozen years, Kevin has performed all over the United States, including trips to Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. He has toured internationally in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Europe. He has also done numerous radio and television shows, and had the opportunity to perform at some of the country’s top polka festivals, state fairs, county fairs, hotels, and cruise ships. Some of Solecki’s career highlights include a PBS Television documentary on the “polka,” recorded with the Polka Family in October 2001. This documentary, called "Polka Passion," aired nationwide in the spring of 2002, during PBS’s pledge drive season. He was then asked by Pittsburgh’s local PBS affiliate, WQED TV, to compliment the documentary with a solo interview and a performance on his accordion. Another career highlight includes a GRAMMY nomination for his debut album "Solecktions."
His visit to the 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards Ceremony held in Los Angeles, California in February 2006 was a memorable experience. Kevin was also invited to perform at the 7th Annual International Accordion Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in June 2006, the Root River Center as part of the Milwaukee Accordion Club's 15th Anniversary Concert Series in July 2006, Mario Tacca/Mary Mancini's International Accordion Spectacular Show in October 2006, along with sold out concerts for the Michigan Accordion Society's 2008 & 2009 Polkafest Celebrations.
You can currently hear some of Kevin’s accordion playing on 5 Polka Family albums... Family Favorites Vol. I, II, III, I Love Polka Music, and West Coast, with featured solos on Family Favorites Vol. I, II, and West Coast. He can also be heard on several other polka recordings, including "All Tuned Up" (1998) by The New Tradition, "Going To A Dance" (1999) by John Stevens' DoubleShot, "Back To Polkas" (2004) by Stephen Kaminski & The Dream Team, "The Best of Polka Parade" (2004), "The Best of Polka Parade" (2005) & "The Best of Polka Parade" (2007). Outside the polka field, Solecki can be heard on a country album "Don't Look Back" (2005) by the PovertyNeck Hillbillies.
In 2005, Kevin decided to branch out and do his own project. He chose a few friends from the PovertyNeck Hillbillies to help him achieve a full band sound by accompanying him on drums, bass, guitar and accordion, and they recorded and released "Solecktions" in June 2005...a polka album consisting of different styles of polka/waltz music. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Polka Album" during the 2005-2006 season. By popular request, Kevin followed up with another polka variety CD, a recording project called “Solecktive Sounds” which was released in September 2007. It once again features various styles of polkas/waltzes. It also features 14 talented guest musicians performing on drums, bass, guitar, banjo, violin, vocals, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, accordion, concertina and piano. "Solecktive Sounds" was voted the "Best Polka Variety CD" in 2007 by 24/7 PolkaHeaven (an Internet polka show consisting of Internet jockeys from around the country). Nearly 4,500 polka fans from around the world cast their votes, and Kevin is honored for the recognition. His latest recording is a departure from his first two, a solo accordion project featuring 14 instrumental love songs. The name of this CD is "Romantic Melodies", and it was released in early February 2010. 
After 10 plus years of performing and traveling with the Polka Family, Kevin has departed from the band. He may still be seen filling in with various polka bands around the country. He continues to perform solo at nursing and senior homes, church festivals and church functions, corporate functions, family reunions, picnics, restaurants, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, class reunions, campaign parties, and accordion clubs around the country. Kevin also keeps busy giving accordion lessons, instructing a handful of students each week.
Juniper Village at Forest Hills was very fortunate to have Kevin play at our community. It was our pleasure to have him entertain us! We welcome him to come back anytime! Cheers!
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