Jeffrey Charles Heinz was born September 13, 1961, In WI Rapids Wisconsin. Jeff was exposed to Polka Music at the very start of his life, as his dad Orville played in a Band with his best friend Duke Wright called Duke Wright and the Rythemaires. Orv and JoAnn (Jeff’s Mom) took him to his dad’s playing jobs and also took him along to see Verne Meisner, Frankie Yankovic, Alvin Styczynski and many other bands who played in the area. That’s how Jeff started in Polka Music.

Jeff started playing drums at the age of 5 and played his first dance job at 7, in 1968 with his brother Mark (8) on accordion and Brian Barnetzke on trumpet and the band was called The Jolly Crackerjacks. Jeff took percussion in Band and played all through college in Jazz Bands, Big Bands, Orchestras and City Bands. Duke Wright owned a music store, Wright’s Music and also had a radio station WRIG which started in 1858 and Jeff watched the live broadcasts with the radio station of the polka fests in the 60’ and 70’s. Jeff works at Midwest Communication in Sales and Polka Show personality, the past Duke Wright owns 91 radio stations and in 1985, after college, Jeff went to work for the stations and started a Polka Show on Sunday Mornings, which is the most listened to show in the market commanding a 35 share average covering 1/3 of the state of Wisconsin for his 6 hour live polka show on Sunday mornings on The WDEZ Polka Jamboree, 101.9 and at WDEZ.Com and also just celebrated his 40th year on the air in 2025. He also has a Saturday morning show on WSAU, AM550/FM99.9/ FM95.1 from 9-10am celebrating 28 years in 2025 on that show and he also has an hour Polka show which runs 4 times a week on 247/Polka Heaven and celebrated 16 years in 2025.

Jeff has two children Nicholas and Alex and they have been totally supportive of his travels and playing throughout the years and being part of his promotion of polkas as well. His wife Diane, who passed away in 2020, was his rock and with a name like Trzebiatowski, totally enjoyed Polish Polka music. He is currently engaged to Lorri LaPratt.

Jeff’s Mentors and Influencers: Duke Wright, Orv Heinz, Frankie Yankovic, Verne Meisner, Eddie Blazonczyk, Lenny Gomulka, Hank Guzevich, Little Wally, Jimmy Sturr, Ted Lange, Mollie B, John Gora and many, many others.

EXPERIENCE:
Band Member/Leader (57 years 1968-Present)
The Jolly Crackerjacks 1968-1974
The Nu Tones (His Dad's band). Mid 70's
The Band Boys 1980-1983
The Polka Partners 1980-1985
The Music Connection 1985 - Present
Squeezebox 2012-2022
Jeff currently does all the booking for the Music Connection. He also has filled in with many other bands including Gary’s Ridgeland Dutchmen, Brian and the Mississippi Valey Dutchmen, Jerry Goetsch Orchestra, Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, Kenny Brandt Band, Wayne Horsburgh from Australia, The John Wudtke Band, Jim Busta Band and many others when needed, Including Big Bands, Jazz Bands and city Bands. Jeff has played a lot of the festivals throughout the years, Illinois State Polka Fest, Polish Fest, Duncan Fest, Bexterfest, Wisconsin State Polka Festival, Frankenmuth, Pulaski Polka Days (WI), Hodag Country Fest, Las Vegas and many, many other festivals throughout the Midwest and the Country.

Discography (12 Recordings - Drums and Vocals)
1981 The Band Boys - Second Time with the Band Boys
1985 The Polka Partners – Salute to the good Time Gang
1988 The Music Connection – Just Because
1989 Mixed Bands – Merry Christmas From All of Us
1992 The Music Connection – Boxed In
1996 The Music Connection – The Music Connection Is Hot
1999 The Music Connection w/Wayne – Teach Me How To Yodel
2002 The Music Connection – Reflections
2002 The Music Connection – Double Feature
2005 The Music Connection – Right On Track
2009 The Music Connection – It’s About Time
2015 The Music Connection – Just What The Doctor Ordered

Awards:
• Outstanding Achievement award in 2005 from WI Polka Music and Personality of the Year in both 2006 and 2007
• Inducted into the Wi Polka Hall of Fame for Support and Promotion in 2006 and 2009
• Preserving Polish Heritage Award from the Polish Heritage Society of Portage County 2013
• Many other local awards from other Polka Groups.

Accomplishments and Achievements:

Hosted Polka trips to Australia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Ireland, England, Spain, Alaska, Hawaii, Switzerland, Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida and many more tours. Also helped with over 12 cruises with the Jimmy Sturr orchestra and Mollie B and Squeezebox.
Performed 2014 in Branson, at the RFD Theatre for the Mollie B Christmas Show and 5 years of Christmas shows to follow in Reedsburg, WI.

Radio/Internet:

WDEZ’s “Live” Polka Jamboree 101.9 6a-12noon Sunday Mornings 40+ years
WSAU Polka Party Saturday AM550 FM 99.9/FM95.1 9a-10a 28+ years 247/Polka Heaven IJ 17+ years

Promoter:

WDEZ Anniversary Dances - Colonial Ballroom 1990-2011 (21 Years) featuring Frankie Liszka and TBC, Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones, Polka Family Band, Lenny Gomulka, The Duke Wright Orchestra, Gary’s Ridgeland Dutchman, Little Wally and many more.
Oktoberfest dances - Colonial Ballroom 1992-2008 (16 Years) with Eddie Blazonczyk and his Versatones
Polka Jamboree Anniversary dances - Rothschild Pavilion/The Plaza 2009-2014 (5 Years)
Many other dances at other places too many to mention. Helped out bands when traveling through.

Contributions:

Lifetime Member IPA and voting member
USPA Member
Honorary Member MPA (Minnesota Polka Association)

Jeff Heinz