Musicians

Many Okonskis love to show their various music talents especially with the violin, guitar, harmonica, etc.  Send our related family musician information. 

The late Steve Okonski received an award for playing the violin for 70 years at many weddings and various functions with his band in many Texas cities.   Famous for the waltz and polkas.

Steve Okonski 70 years Fiddler

Brian Marshall who has learned several of Steve’s favorites has also played at many of Okonski functions.  See his web site for Polish CDs and Brian’s music information.
Visit   www.markrubin.com/brianmarshall/

Dennis Aldrich is another favorite Okonski family singer/musician that plays at the Okonski Jamboree.  A one man show that is really enjoyed by the Okonski Family.

     “Patriarch of Texas Polish Fiddles”

          70 Years Fiddle Player -- Musician

 Steve Okonski, born August 29, 1916 in Bremond, Texas was a lifelong resident of Bremond and was a farmer and musician.  Steve was a fiddler for over 70 years and played in many towns for many weddings, family reunions, and community events throughout Texas (Houston, Dallas, Bremond, Brenham, Chapel Hill, New Waverly, Westphalia, and many others).   His band usually included the instruments that were readily available in the small country town --  violin, base, guitar, and accordion.  They played the old time Polish favorite traditional fiddle based music.  Many of the Polish family immigrants listened and enjoyed the music that connected them to their villages in Poland.  Some of Steve’s favorites were:  Steve’s Special, Steve’s Celia, Flat Lake Special, Village OBerek, Westphalia Waltz and others.  Steve received a plaque for playing a fiddle for 70 years in Texas at the Ft Bend County Fair.

Steve supplemented his small farming income with many various jobs such as bus driver, painter, his band and others.  He also served in the infantry with the US Army during World War II.

Steve married Josephine Nobra and raised five daughters and 2 sons on their Tidwell Prairie farm.

Some of Steve’s pictures are below:

Okonski Jamboree, October 1991 Steve Okonski, Fiddler Carol Bashinski, Guitar
October Jamboree 1992 Bryan, TX Polka Band

Note:  Looking for some of Steve’s original fiddle favorite tunes to add to this page:  Contact   [email protected]