Al Markic has been a major contributor to the success of Cleveland-Style Polkas in
each of three roles, leader, sideman, and promoter through an career spanning over
fifty years. Considered by many as the best rhythm banjo and guitar man in the business.
After studying banjo under John Skrajner and guitar under Jerry Stone, Dick Lurie,
and Johnny Lombardo, Al began his Cleveland-Style playing career as a teenager with
the Al Strukel Orchestra, performing live on radio station WSRS under the sponsorship
of the Cipriani Furniture Store. Subsequently, Al became a regular with Johnny Pecon,
Frankie Kramer, Walter Ostanek, and Trontel and Zagger before forming his own band,
the Almars, in the late 1960's. During the 1970's, Al teamed up with accordionist
Jake Zagger of Sharon, Pennsylvania to form the Markic-Zagger Orchestra. One of the
hottest bands of its era, Markic-Zagger laid claim to much of the polka real estate
along the turnpikes connecting Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Since Jake's retirement
in 1984, Al has led the Al Markic Orchestra. The Almars and Markic-Zagger each have
4 LPs to their credit as well as numerous radio and TV appearances. Al's most popular
recording, "Back Home in Pennsylvania," was recorded with the Markic-Zagger Orchestra.
Al has always been a "go-getter," promoting Cleveland-Style music relentlessly across
North America. Beginning in the early 1950's, Al personally took Cleveland-Style
recordings to polka enclaves in the Midwest and West. Taking his own bands on the
road, Al has performed and promoted Cleveland-Style music in Europe, Hawaii, Florida,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Canada, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois,
the Caribbean, and on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Al's were the first Cleveland bands
to perform in Alaska and Colorado, which have since become regular stops for the
Cleveland-Style's finest. Al has always made himself available to share his talents
with other Cleveland-Style orchestras. Over the years, Al's stylings have graced
the recordings and performances of Frank Yankovic, Eddie Habat, Stan Blout, Johnny
Vadnal, Al Tercek, Art Perko, Fred Kuhar, Marty Sintic, Hank Haller, Jeff Pecon,
Frankie Mullec, George Jurjev, Johnny Pecon, Walter Ostanek, Bob Timko, Joey Miskulin,
and Frank Spetich.
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