As a small child, I was introduced to polka music by a unique source.  Back in the years when the Smurfs were popular, they had their own albums which were highly influenced with polka.  My very first record album was “Father Abraham and the Smurfs”.  To this day I still have this album and listen to it with friends every now and then.  In addition, my father was primarily a self-taught accordion player so I heard Ukrainian music in our household throughout my life.

When my parents were children, it was commonplace for them to be taken by their parents to the municipal school or church for a community dance.  This is where my appreciation of the “old school” style of family togetherness began.  I was drawn to the simplicity of music, dance, neighbourly socials and celebrations brought from the old country.

Music and dance has drastically changed over the years; however, there is nothing wrong with the old ways.  Having grown up with a polka specialist, my father, I knew that together we could create and compile some great music in this same tradition.  Polka music is a big part of my Ukrainian heritage, as well as many other cultures.  I made this album not only to imprint my own father’s sound and style, but to give awareness to the lost polka culture.

I really hope you enjoy the new polka songs that I wrote, as well as my hand picked traditional music, all performed and created by Jaroslav.  I chose the band name Jaroslav because it is my middle name and I also felt it represents my family working together to create our own family history through music.  The members of Poplar Creek, who played all the music, did a great job adding their knowledge and skill to this CD and I thank them for it.

This album was funded by Redline Wellsite Supervision Ltd. and is not for sale.  It is a gift to you and I encourage you to share it with others and help me spread this music to the ones that would appreciate it.  Enjoy!

-Lacon Kowalchuk-