The magic combination of Eddie Korosa’s Polka Band and Frank Rossi’s Sounds of Sinatra was such a hit last year, we’re thrilled to announce they’re back!
Frank Rossi (left) brings Sinatra-style swing and Eddie Korosa brings his polka dance party to the free “Concerts On The Hill” August 20, 2015 at 6:30 pm.
We even had the good fortune of having Councilwoman Jan Quillman emcee their evening again, as she did last year, for another fun night of dancing and great music at the free “Concert On The Hill” downtown Joliet. Or as Eddie says…
ROUND 2 – “BEST NIGHT EVER”
Join us Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 6:30 pm
FRANK ROSSI BAND – “SINATRA FAVORITES PLUS”
with JT, GENO, TOMMY
EDDIE KOROSA JR – BOYS and GIRLS from ILLINOIS
with BOBBY, GREG, KURT, MICHALENE
EMCEE: Councilwoman Jan Quillman
NATIONAL ANTHEM SOLOIST: Larry Crawford – Rialto Idol Winner 2012
Bring blankets and chairs for hill seating. Concessions are available. Parking is free in and around the park.
During Jefferson Street construction near the Park, use the left lane to still access the main entrance.
Here’s a little more about your entertainers…
EDDIE KOROSA JR – BOYS and GIRLS from ILLINOIS
Eddie Korosa, Jr and his Boys from Illinois have been performing together since 1976.
Eddie started out playing drums at his parents Baby Doll Polka Club in Chicago at the age of 7, with his Dads band – America’s Prince of Polka’s, Eddie Korosa, and his “Merry Makers”. A few years later, Eddie Jr started playing the Accordion and Button Box. His Button Box was handmade in Germany in 1978, to “almost” match his Dads Button Box.
In 1990 Eddie and the Boys were featured in the movie “Home Alone” as John Candy’s Polka Band, Voted Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year in 1996, and Accordion Player of the year in 1997 by the United States Polka Assc. 2001 Eddie and the Boys flew to New York to be featured in a Nation-wide TV commercial for Pepsi that aired the entire summer.
In 2008 Eddie’s 9th Album “Classics” made the “top 25” list for Grammy consideration. His latest honor was from the Chicago Music Awards: Recipient of a 2012 “Lifetime Achievement” Award for his “over 45 yrs of Polka Entertaining, in 2013 received the Chicago Music Award for “Best Polka Entertainer of the Year”.
FRANK ROSSI BAND – “SINATRA FAVORITES PLUS”
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About Frank Rossi – from Oak Forest, IL
Classic piano and accordion entertainment!
Frank is very proud to be the 2010 recipient of the Order Sons of Italy Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence in Performing Arts. He can be seen the first Wednesday of each month at Frankie’s Ristorante in Tinley Park and Sundays at Vito & Nicks II in Tinley Park, Illinois. Also, Louie’s Chop House, 94 West, and most recently The Carraig Pub at Chicago Gaelic Park on each and every second Wednesday. Frank also entertains at many of the senior living residences around the Chcagoland area. For any information or to book him for your next event please click on the “live performance” tab to find out where he is playing this week – or email Frank at frbox1@aol.com – phone his cell 708 431 1128.
Frank was a student of the late great accordion legend Eddie Baldacci of the Roseland neighborhood in Chicago. He started his studies on the accordion under the direction of the late Al Rush at Symphony School of Music in Chicago Heights at the age of seven.
He won a first place trophy at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois and was hooked on the accordion ever since.
After graduating with a double major of Finance and Management from Eastern Illinois University, he decided to continue his passion – music studies. So, he began private lessons from the late accordion & piano great Ed Baldacci. This is where he learned harmony training as well as advanced technical studies.
Currently, Frank plays his Roland RD 300 SX digital piano and both an Italo American and an Imperial accordion. He plays many solo jobs and also has his own jazz standard duo. He has played most of the best hotels in Chicago and can be found playing his keyboard and accordion in fine dining establishments around the Chicagoland area. Frank spends most all of his free time with his family. His favorite accordion players are Manny Quartucci, Mike Alongi and Frank Marrocco.
Frank lists as his major influence – Denny Pirani – professional composer/arranger and player – saxophone and flute. Also very instrumental to the growth of Frank are the following musicians: the late Mike Annis (clarinet), Len Mazza (alto), John Trimmel tumpets, Dennis Natorelli drums and vocals, The late great Al Monocchio, Larry (Milwaukee Larry aka LORO) Komberic, Nick Gerekaris, Kerry Mott, Jimi Henry, Jimmy Schoettle and Kenny Bopp (guitarists extraordinaire), drummers Neil and Eric Holmquist- of the band KANSAS – and Tim Skorupa. Bassists include Bobby Day and Pete Fabionneri. Singers include Bob Daldegan, Tommy Panici, Judie Felix and Sharon Inucci Billo. Most of his piano influence is attributed to Ray Napoleion, Ed Kalnins, Kevin Kreis and Joni Henry.
Finally, Frank would like to thank his wife Sharon – who is an actress & community theatre dancer, his talented performing children – daughter Nina who can be seen on the stage singing, dancing, and acting at Oak Forest High School -son Vincent who attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. But, most of all, Frank would like to thank his parents – the late great Frank Rossi Senior & his mother Dorothy Rossi, of Chicago Heights, who have sacrificed many years to buy the lessons and costly musical equipment. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! One more thank you is to Frank’s Godparents Annette & Ross Nordstrom, who started this whole music thing by dropping Frank’s name in a glass jar at the Symphony School of Music – which awarded Frank 6 free accordion lessons!
Enjoy his new CD ” Nite Lite”! The choice of tunes reflects his love of music which has been interpreted many different ways by all the great singers and jazz instrumentalists alike. These are Jazz standards which make up a truly great American Songbook and are always a pleasure to play. Classic tunes plain and simple. Cruise through sound clips from Nite Lite on his website:
LARRY CRAWFORD
Our National Anthem soloist is Larry Crawford, 2012 Rialto Idol Winner. He was recently a headliner for the Joliet Drama Guild’s summer musical, August 8 & 9, 2015. Larry is currently the Truancy Specialist for Joliet Public Schools District 86. He is the Lead Associate Pastor of Extreme Church Illinois. He does vocals and backup keyboard for the inspirational group, ‘Pozitive Xchange.’ He is President of the Joliet Alliance for Youth (JAY), and a member of the Will County Community Services Council. Larry regularly volunteers at Catholic Charities Daybreak, Morning Star Mission, and the Harvey Brooks Foundation. He comes from a singing family of which he says he is the ‘worst’ singer of them all. He offers training in Accompaniment Track Mastery and is available for singing engagements, big or small.
New this year – “Battle of the Bands” shines a light on emerging local talent on Saturday, July 25 from 6:00-10:30 p.m. Open to all amateur bands, six will be selected from submissions to compete for the top 3 spots and cash prizes: 1st $600, 2nd $500 and 3rd $400. Saturday Park admission $5 (cash only) all ages. Come cheer on your town and your favorite band!
Manager Rich Liebich, who retires July 7, 2015. A City of Joliet employee for the past 27 years. He added, “Bicentennial Park and Theatre believes in giving local talent center stage and a chance to shine. There’s so much right here! There’s a real sense of community here where neighbors and families meet downtown to enjoy quality, affordable entertainment for all ages, all year round, inside and out!” Starting out as a maintenance worker, he was a natural manager as the Park called on his many other talents: theatre lighting and sound design and their respective system operation, designing and building sets through high school and college, professional entertainment requirements and set-up from stage hand experience, landscaping and vegetation knowledge and hard-work ethic from being a farmer, even stone masonry and most importantly, his good humor that left folks with a smile and desire to return.
