SONG LIST
(Click on player to preview song)
(Right click on FREE DOWNLOAD to save song)
Derelict Plus (Dave Roman, D-Drifters)
Perogies & Champagne (Lacon Kowalchuk)
Kolomeyka (Traditional)
Bandura Waltz (Traditional)
Kurka (Chicken Polka - D-Drifters)
Dosta (Lacon Kowalchuk)
Jaroslav (Jerry Kowalchuk)
Who Stole the Keeshka (Walter Dana)
D-Minor Polka (Traditional)
First Kiss in Kiev (Traditional)
Polka Fever (Lacon Kowalchuk)
Dancing Duels (Traditional)
Mazurka Waltz (Traditional)
D-Scale Polka (Traditional)
IN MEMORIaM...
Walter Dana – Wladyslaw Dan Danilowski – was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1904. He began playing piano and composing at the age of seven. His musical education was obtained at the Warsaw Conservatory and Paris. He received a law diploma at the Warsaw University. He worked as press attaché at the Polish Foreign Office and also as an accompanist and musical illustrator with the “Qui Pro Quo” Theatre. He was the founder conductor and coach of the popular vocal quintet “Chor Dana” making records, films, radio and public concerts all over Europe, and in 1936-38 two concert tours in U.S.
Dana wrote many scores and songs for films in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Italy, was director of the light music department of the Polish Radio Network and director of the Tip Top Theatre for which he received decorations of the Polish Gold Cross of Merit from President Moscicki, and the Royal Diamond Pin with Crown from Italy’s Queen.
The war in 1939 changed everything. He managed to escape Poland and came to the U.S. in 1940 with his wife, stage star Niusia Nobosowna and son Gustav.
In the U.S. Dana organized an American "Chor Dana" and worked for the Polish Radio in New York and Detroit. In 1946, he formed Dana Records which became the top Polish-Polka line within a short time. In 1952 a poll by Billboard Magazine ranked Dana Records behind Victor and Columbia and ahead of Decca, Capitol, Mercury and all others. Through records Walter Dana introduced such great polka artists as Frank Wojnarowski, Ray Henry, Gene Wisniewski, Johnny Bomba, etc. … He also recorded successfully such artists as Bernie Witkowski, Eddie Zima, Steve Adamczyk, Johnny Pecon, Regina Kujawa, Marisha Data and many, many others.
The Dana line included 120 albums or some 1,300 recorded tunes. Among the best sellers were "Helen Polka," "I Love Julida," "Jedzie Boat," "Who Stole the Keeshka," "Blond Bombshell Polka," "Domino Polka," "Goral Polka," "Whose Girl Are You Waltz," "Circus Polka," "Mother’s Waltz," "Jasiu, Jasiu" and "Ballroom Polka." His hit song ''Longing for You'' was recorded by Vic Damone and Sammy Kaye, among others.
In 1950 ill health forced him to sell his business interest in Dana Records and he moved to Florida where he completed some serious composing for the Miami Beach Symphony. In 1969 he wrote a symphonic suite, "Florida Sketches," which was performed in 1970; "The Wailing Wall," played on piano with orchestra in 1971; "Jazz Symphony," "Ora Pro Nobis," etc…
In 1971, he was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame. He died in Miami Beach in 2000, at the age of 96.
