Larry Chesky

Larry Chesky (born November 17, 1933, died January 25, 2011, Holyoke, MA) was a Polka band leader and manager of the Polka record label Rex Records. He was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 1985, having recorded over 100 record albums. He was a proponent of the "Big Band" or "Eastern" style of Polka, which features more band members (greater than ten), and a focus on horn and reed instruments, than the typical Polka band. Jimmy Sturr, the 18 time Grammy Award Winner for Best Polka Album, said of him: "He was one of my idols. I grew up on him...I modeled my band after his Eastern style." Lenny Gomulka, the twelve time Polka Grammy Nominee, said that Larry Chesky was a "pioneer who changed and enhanced the image of polka to the Big Band sound."

Partial Discography