To say that John "Jackie" Libera has been involved with Polka music virtually all of his life is an understatement.

Jackie began his polka music career at the ripe old age of five in 1960 when he joined his father, Polka Hall of Famer John Libera, at the microphone of his Dad's polka radio program.  Soon after, Jackie was given his own show, "Saturday Polka Picnic" which he hosted over WESO in Southbridge, Massachusetts.  The Show ran from 5:30-6:00 on Saturday afternoons and lasted two seasons.  Jackie was featured in an article in the March 1961 issue of Radio TV Mirror magazine.  The story, written by Alvhild V. Holmes of Oxford, MA, was titled "The World's Youngest Deejay".  Jackie also appeared as the youngest polka disc jockey at the International Polka Convention in 1963 in Chicago.

As Jackie grew to a teenager, it quickly became apparent that his genuine love for music accompanied by a pure and natural talent.  While attending school, he studied clarinet with Mitchell Szdlik and Anthony Zieminski.  He graduated from Southbridge High School in Southbridge, MA in 1973 as a member of the National Honor Society.  He was also a member of the Central District Band as the Principle Clarinetist from 1971-1973 and the Massachusetts All-State Band in 1973.  It was in 1973 that Jackie became a member of his first polka band, The Dick Pillar Orchestra.  He played with Dick's group until 1977 and recorded two albums on Steljo Records as a member of the group and played on a couple of later recordings done by the Dick Pillar Orchestra.  During the time he was playing with Pillar on the weekends, he was also busy earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts in 1977.  He was the Principle Clarinetist in the college's Wind Symphony for three years.  He studied clarinet with Kenneth Legace and Peter Demos.

Later in 1977, Jackie became a member of the popular "Heavy Chicago" where he stayed until 1982.  "Polkas, Hot and Heavy" was recorded in 1977 with Heavy Chicago, followed up in 1980 with "Heavy Chicago V".  In 1982, Jackie joined three other local musicians to form the very big sounding "Bay State IV".  Jackie stayed with this crowd-pleasing group for nine years and recorded four albums with the group on Polka Train Records.  Jackie had the honor of appearing with the Bay State IV at the 1988 American Folklife Festival sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and held in Washington, D.C.  This annual event is held on the Washington Mall and is attended by approximately one million people in a two week period.  The Bay State IV was honored to be among the many artisans and musicians representing the state of Massachusetts along with representatives from the former Soviet Union.

It was later in 1991 that Jackie Libera took the stage as the leader of his own band, Jackie Libera and the Classix.  Their big, full sound topped with Jackie's tremendous vocals quickly made them a very popular group on the polka circuit.  Their recording, "CLASSix of 93" was recorded in 1993 on Sunshine Records and featured two originals written by Jackie.  It was also in 1993 that Jackie received his Master of Education Degree from Fitchburg State Collage in Fitchburg, MA with a concentration in Education Leadership and Administration.  The group disbanded in 1994.

In 1995, Jackie joined the Maestro's Men where he continues to perform today.  With the Maestro's Men, Jackie is featured on piano and bass and takes the lead vocals.  They have made three recordings to date with more originals by Jackie included.  With every other group he was part of, Jackie was featured on trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and vocals.  Through the years, Jackie has appeared at one time or another with the Polka Family, the New Brass, Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones, Jimmy Sturr, Lenny Gomulka and the Chigago Push, Ray Jay and the Carousels, the Dynatones, the Sounds, The Brass Connection, Marion Lush, Ray Henry, Eddie Forman, Freddie K, John Gora and Gorale, Happy Richie, Jersey Polka Richie, Li'l Wally, the Dynastiks, Henny and the Versa J's and others.  Libera was also the musical arranger and orchestra director for the Lenny Gomulka Christmas Shows for five years and a proud member of the Polish Carolers.

Aside from Jackie's promotion of polka music as a performing musician, he has also been heard continually since 1969 over the air waves with his own polka radio shows.  He has been on the air at WESO and WAVR with various shows and currently hosts "Polka Spotlite" on WESO 970 AM in Southbride, MA on Sundays from 9-9:30 AM.  He currently co-hosts the "Sunday Polish Show" on the same station on Sundays from 9:30-11:00 with his Dad, Johnny Libera.

Jackie shares his love and knowledge for and of music with others on the weekends also as a beloved music teacher and band director.  From 1982-1991, he taught Instrumental Music for grades 9-12 at Southbridge, MA.  In 1991, he moved on to the town of Grafton, Massachusetts where he taught Instrumental Music for grades 4-12 at Grafton High School, Grafton Middle School and Grafton Intermediate School.  From 1994 to the present, he has enjoyed teaching general music and instrumental music for grades 6 and 7 at Oxford Middle School in Oxford, MA.

His proud parents, John and Stasia Libera instilled his love for music and polka music in particular at a very young age and continue to encourage Jackie today along with his lovely wife, Linda.  You can often catch their five year old daughter, Jenna, doing a Polish vocal or two and dancing to her father's music.  Another generation to be raised with polka music.

Recordings:

"Polkabration Tour"; Dick Pillar Orchestra; Steljo Records; 1973
"Polka Hall fo Fame Album"; Dick Pillar Orchestra; Steljo Records; 1976
"Polkas, Hot and Heavy"; Heavy Chicago; Lemans Records; 1980
"Heavy Chicago V"; Heavy Chicago; LeMans Records; 1980
"Our First One"; Bay State IV; Polka Train Records; 1982
"Salute to the Stars"; Bay State IV; Polka Train Records; 1984
"Polka Treasures"; Bay State IV; Polka Train Records; 1987
"Who Could Ask For Anything More"; Bay State IV; Polka Train Records; 1989
"In Polka Unity"; Dick Pillar Orchestra with Lenny Gomulka and the Chicago Push; Steljo Records (Grammy Nominated)
"Polkabrate!"; Dick Pillar Orchestra; Steljo Records
"CLASSix of '93"; Jackie Libera and the Classix; Sunshine Records; 1993
"Out of the Blue"; Maestro's Men; Sunshine Records; 1996
"Once More...From the Top"; Maestro's Men; Sunshine Records; 1999
"Music Maestro's Please"; Maestro's Men; Sunshine Records; 2001

Songs Written:

"Moustache Polka" and "Best Man Polka" on Heavy Chicago V
"Let's Get Together Polka", "Weeping Willow Waltz" and "Hanusia Polka" on Our First One
"Leaving Warsaw Polka", "I Won't Get Married Oberek" and arrangement of "Salute to the Stars Medley" on Salute to the Stars
"Stick It Polka" and "Life is Good in America Polka" on Polka Treasures
"Who Could Ask for Anything More Polka", "How to be a Big Hit Polka", "Fallen Soldier Waltz", It Doesn't Matter Polka" and "Homewrecker Polka" on Who Could Ask for Anything More
"Let Me Dream Polka" and "Don't Go to Her Polka" on CLASSix of "93
"Hey Mr. Concertina Polka" and "Slippery Fingers Oberek" on Mr. Concertina by Bill Czerniak's Concertina Band
"Heidi Ho Polka" (with Joseph Podbielski) on Out of the Blue
"Three Buddies Polka" on Music Maestro's Please

Memberships:

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), International Polka Association (IPA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA)

Submitted by:
Dianne Winiarz IPA Elector