Andy Blumauer

National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum

605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123

USA

E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com

Phone: 216-261-3263

Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA

Fax: 216-261-4134

ANDRE BLUMAUER was one of the rare musicians from Slovenia to find success in North America. His original songs, “The Kamnik Polka” and “Veseli Ribencan” became Cleveland-Style polka standards. He was also the leading Slovenian performer on the harmonica and was famous in the homeland. Growing up in Ljubljana Andre learned several instruments but excelled on the harmonica. In 1957 he won first prize on a national radio competition and the next year appeared on the first Slovenian TV broadcast and in movies. His fame spread to Germany and Austria and he became a spokesman for Hohner harmonicas. Andre came to Canada and the U.S. in 1960 and started his career in Cleveland where he was a frequent guest on Tony Petkovsek’s Slovenian radio show and on TV’s Polka Varieties. He was even featured at the very first Thanksgiving Polka dance in 1963. Andre recorded his first album in Cleveland. An instant hit, it was released in Slovenia and his songs swept the country. Cleveland-Style bands picked up his melodies. They’re also favorites with button-boxers. Andre performed in Canada, Florida, Texas and across Europe. Later in life he returned to Slovenia and accompanied the country’s top artists.

Inducted in 2024