Malek’s Fishermen Band Performing at Reunion

Malek's Fishermen Band logoMalek’s Fishermen Band, one of the Midwest’s best European polka music bands, will perform from 10 am – 2 pm on both Saturday July 30th and Sunday July 31st at the Schmidt Reunion/Schmidt Fest on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer, Iowa. Malek’s Fishermen Band will be performing in the Central Park Pavilion just south of the Events Center building (where the family history presentations will take place) and west of the Commercial Exhibits Building (where the craft/vendor marketplace will be held).

The story of Malek’s Fishermen Band, from their website:

Malek’s Fishermen Band has a rich family history. In 1932, Syl Malek and his brother, Ed, organized the 6-piece Malek Brother’s Accordion Band. They played songs that were brought over from Europe by Czech immigrants as well as American dance favorites at barn dances, house parties, ballrooms and dance halls. From the early 1940’s through the 1960’s, Malek Bros. Accordion Band averaged 200 dances per year. Due to health issues, Syl was forced to retire from the band, and Ed continued the band under the new name, L&M Band.

In 1968 Syl’s son, Bob, restarted the 6-piece band that became known as Malek’s Fishermen Band. With the return of his health, Syl was able to play in the band once again. The band traveled much of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska playing the good old tyme tunes of the Malek Bros. Accordion Band mixed in with a few of the newer favorites.

In the early 1990’s, with Syl and some of the other musicians retiring, Bob’s children, Eric and Crystal, joined the band. The current band features a unique mix of brass, reeds, concertina, rhythm, and vocal harmonies. Now in its third generation of Malek musicians, Malek’s Fishermen Band continues to play a mix of Czech/Bohemian and German styles of music for dances and festivals throughout the Midwest.

Don’t miss the fun on July 30-31!

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