Trustees Honor Roll

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Umeck, Joseph

Accordionist, Bandleader and Teacher (1915)
Inducted on November 27, 1993

Playing on button box and chromatic accordions for more than 60 years, Joseph C. Umeck, Jr., advanced the cause of Cleveland-Style Polkas across the nation. Joe led his own orchestra in Girard, Ohio, from 1936 to 1966, performing in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois. A pioneer in the button-box revolution, Joe organized the Chicago Slovene Button Box Club in 1970, making three recordings and leading tours to Slovenia. Moving to California in 1977, Joe revamped the Fontana Slovene Button Box Club, adding two recordings to his personal discography. A selfless devotee of Slovenian culture, Joe has served as National Secretary of the Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) and in countless national and local leadership posts over 65 years. Musician, teacher, promoter, composer and arranger, Joe even managed to perform at Lawrence Welk’s 85th birthday party.

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