Slovenian polka music was the music of choice in Jack’s while he was growing up. He and his friends would gather near the stage of the former West View Park in Pittsburgh each summer to listen to their polka idols – Frankie Yankovic, Kenny Bass, Eddie Habat, Johnny Vadnal and Walter Ostanek. Those musicians were his inspiration to start a polka band of his own.

His first recording was a 45 rpm, featuring Millie’s Polka and Jaken’s Waltz. He recently re-released six albums on compact disc. Some of the polkas Jack popularized are “Popeye the Polkaman,” Murone’s Polka,” and Skipper’s Waltz.”

Jack was delighted to play on five recordings with the Frankie Yankovic band, and in a polka medley on Walter Ostanek’s Grammy-nominated album of 1997. Jack and the late Dave Wretschko combined talents on “Putting It All Together,” an album nominated in 1988 for Recording of the Year. Jack added polka radio host duties to his repertoire in 1982. Jack’s radio show was on the air at WEDO 830AM, McKeesport, for 18 years.