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IRENE & BOB
Leaders
Irene & Bob
Married In Lowell,
MA,
July 29, 1962,
while Bob in military.
On discharge,
resided in Dracut, MA
where the first rehearsals of the
band were located.
Have 2 children, a son David
and daughter Tanya,
and 2 grandchildren,
James and Justin.
Moved to and currently reside in
Pelham, New Hampshire
May 1972.
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IRENE
JARACZ |
Originally from
Lowell, Massachusetts. Began music
lessons in 1949 on accordion and plays piano, organ, drums and some clarinet.
Played first “job” in 1954 with
the Johnny Pudlo orchestra (Lowell, MA) filling in for her accordion teacher.
Founder of the Polkateens an all teenage group (Lowell, MA), and remained
until 1959. Played drums for the all girl
orchestra The Polkarettes (Lowell, MA) from 1959-1962 and again form 1965-1971.
After holding many secretarial,
administrative and
managerial
positions as a federal employee with the United States Air Force, culminated a very successful career and retired (June 2000)
after 40 years service.
As Co-Leader of the band, responsible for all uniforms and the appearance
of the band and the sales of recordings and promotional goods, T-Shirts, etc.
Also acts as tour guide on Travel Club trips. |
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Originally from
Lowell, Massachusetts. Began music
lessons in 1954 on Accordion. Also plays
Tenor Saxophone. In 1955 was asked by
“Irene” Pare to join a band called The Polkateens.
Performed with the Polkateers (Lowell, MA) 1957-1961, Kings Knights
1961-1965 (Charleston, SC/While in Military), Aristocrats (Lowell, MA),
1965-1968, Polkateers 1968-1971.
Currently self employed. Owner/Manager,
Unlimited Sales of NH, a commercial dealer and supplier of business forms and
printing. Owner/Manager Sound-A-bouts
Travel Club, an independent tour operator specializing in motor coach tours,
hotel weekends, vacation trips and other events associated with the polka
industry.
As leader of the band,
responsible for bookings & promotions, equipment & transportation, and musical
selections. |
BOB JARACZ |
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LARRY KISZKA |
Began music lessons
on clarinet. Also plays alto and tenor
saxophone. Started playing professionally
in 1956. Has performed with the Eddie
Walenta Orchestra (CT), The Aristocrats (Lowell, MA) and The Ray Henry and Al
Soyka orchestras. Larry is also 1st
clarinetist with the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in Durham, NH.
Has recorded once with the Eddie Walenta Orchestra.
Larry currently resides in Newburyport, Massachusetts with his wife
Florence, has a son, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.
Larry is now retired after 35 years as an engineer with Bell Labs in No.
Andover, MA, and has begun a photo restoration business at home.
Been With The
Sound-A-bouts since 1993. |
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BOB PARLEE |
After a long and
dedicated commitment
to the band dating
back to the 70's,
Susan and Bob are now
on hiatus from the band taking a break
from
their musical careers to spend time with
their family. |
SUSAN PARLEE |
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JOE
LARO |
Began playing drums in 1970. Performed
for the first time with the Benny
Olenick Orchestra (MA) in 1974 at the
age of 13, and performed with the
Happy Louie Orchestra from 1979 to
1981. On graduating from Berklee
College
of Music's Diploma program in 1981,
joined the U.S. Air Force and performed
with Tops in Blue from 1982 to 1983 and
was involved in the rescue of
American hostages in Grenada in 1983
while attached to 836th Air Commando
Squadron. Returned to Massachusetts in
1998 and began working as a court
stenographer in Salem, MA., meanwhile
filling in with various orchestras to
include, the late Marion Lush, Happy
Louie Orchestra, Polka Family, Swinging
Brass and the Sound-A-bouts. Joe
currently resides in Peabody, MA, with
his wife Stacey and their three children
Nicholas, Serena. & Joe Jr. Has
been with the Sound-A-bouts full time
since October 2000.
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