ConcertinaMusic.com has compiled a list of Concertina People; individuals who have made a contribution to the chemnitzer concertina through their efforts as bandleaders, composers, innovators, manufacturers, musicians, promoters, retailers, teachers, and technicians. Each person is listed by name with basic information about them and their contribution to the concertina.
You can browse the list of Concertina People by selecting one of the individual letters from the menu. Each page includes a list of last names that begin with only that letter. The Search feature may be helpful for finding specific people.
Waksmonski, Frank (1927 – 2018)
- Hatley, Wisconsin
- Musician, Promoter (dancehall owner)
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2004)
- Detailed Biography
Walensa, Ervin J. (1921 – 1991)
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Musician, Promoter, Teacher
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1992)
- Detailed Biography
Walter, David A. (1969 – )
- Parma, Ohio
- Musician
- Bands: Frankie Liszka and The Brass Connection, This-n-That, Bruno Mikos and The Harmony Stars, Brass Works, Tower City Push
- Honors: United States Polka Association – Best Album (1993, 1994)
Wanderlich, Tommy (1966 – )
- Buffalo, New York
- Musician
- Bands: John Gora and Gorale
- Honors: Grammy Nomination (1998)
Wanha, Joel (1948 – )
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Band Leader, Musician
- Bands: The Polka Playboys, Art Fenske and The Jolly Coppersmiths, Joel’s Polka Band
Wanous, Luverne (1936 – )
- Owatonna, Minnesota
- Band Leader, Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2019)
Wanta, Adam
- Hatley, Wisconsin
- Composer, Musician, Teacher
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1993)
- Detailed Biography
Watters, Pat
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Musician, Promoter, Retailer (Arnold Concertina)
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1976)
- Detailed Biography
Weber, Gary (1954 – 2008)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Musician
- Bands: Electra Tones, Treltones
Weiss, Chris
- Sunbury, Ohio
- Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2008)
Wendinger, Paul (1951 – 2010)
- New Ulm, Minnesota
- Band Leader, Musician
- Bands: Peter and Paul Wendinger Band
- Honors: Minnesota Ballroom Operators Old-Tyme Band Award (1985), World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2005), Polka Hall of Fame (2005), Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (2007)
Wendinger, Peter (1949 – )
- New Ulm, Minnesota
- Band Leader, Musician
- Bands: Peter and Paul Wendinger Band
- Honors: Minnesota Ballroom Operators Old-Tyme Band Award (1985), World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2005), Polka Hall of Fame (2005), Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (2007)
Whalley, John L. (1910 – 1988)
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Composer, Musician, Technician (Karpek Concertina)
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1988)
- Detailed Biography
Wheatstone, Sir Charles (1802 – 1875)
- England
- Innovator (English Concertina), Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1976)
- Detailed Biography
Wilfahrt, John (Whoopee John)
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Band Leader (Whoopee John Band), Musician
- Bands: Whoopee John Band
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1977)
- Detailed Biography
Willfahrt, Fritz
- Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
- Band Leader (The Fritz Willfahrt Orchestra), Musician, Promoter (Polka DJ)
- Bands: The Fritz Willfahrt Orchestra
Wintheiser, Bill
- Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
- Musician, Promotor (First President of the Sleepy Eye Concertina Club)
Witthus, Rudy (1915 – 2011)
- Arlington, Minnesota
- Musician
- Honors: Czech Area Concertina Club – Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (2005), World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2006)
Witucki, Dan
- Winthrop, Minnesota
- Musician
- Bands: Walt Disney World – Epcot (Germany); Dan Witucki and the Music Masters
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2005)
Wojahn, Harry (1934 – 2022)
- Fairfax, Minnesota
- Band Leader, Musician
- Bands: Harry Wojahn Band
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2019)
Wolf, Ambrose ( – 1990)
- Cold Spring, Minnesota
- Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2011)
Wolf, Betty (1921 – 2008)
- St. Joseph, Minnesota
- Musician, Promoter
- Bands: The Deutschmeisters
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1977), Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (1999)
- Detailed Biography
Wolf, Leonard
- Shawano, Wisconsin
- Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2007)
Wolf, Tony ( – 1980)
- St. Joseph, Minnesota
- Bandleader, Musician, Promoter, Teacher
- Bands: The Deutschmeisters
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1977), Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (1999)
- Detailed Biography
Wolfe, Anton (1922 – 1997)
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Musician, Manufacturer (Wolfe Concertina)
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (2021)
- Detailed Biography
Wolfe, Patti Groshek
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Musician
- Honors: World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame (1984)
- Detailed Biography
Wuske, Scott (1965 – )
- Plover, Wisconsin
- Bandleader, Musician
- Bands: Scott & Co, Polka Nitro, Polka Pals
