In the early 1960’s, five kids from SS Peter & Paul Parish in Chicago got together in a basement on the 3600 block of South Paulina St and formed a band. From that basement came the Musical Aires and the start to the musical career of Jerry Mytych. For over forty years Jerry Mytych has been one of polka music’s strongest sidemen. He’s never had his name in front of the bands in which he’s led, but his legendary style on clarinet and saxophone have had a lasting impact on the popularity and quality of polka music and many of polka music’s most successful musicians.

A popular band of the day was the Chicago Polka All-Stars and they had a clarinet player by the name of Steve Jankowski. Jerry was highly influenced by Steve’s work and at a young age he drew comparisons to the clarinet great. As the winning band in a contest at The Polka World’s Fair in 1963, the Musical Aires won a free recording session on the Chicago Polka Records label. Jerry and the band recorded 45’s for Chicago and Bel-Aire Records and were one of four bands on Bel-Aire’s Polish Jam Session album. After a few years, Jerry and Jim Bagrowski swapped jobs with Jerry joining Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones. The results were award-winning songs and the title of Nation’s #1 Polka Band. Jerry’s talents and abilities led to the further versatility of the Versatones which can be heard on recordings such as Happy Polka Music, Let’s Hear A Polka, Polkas A Plenty and their first Honky Style album. As a member of the Versatones, while playing a dance at Lou Bochenek’s LoRayne Chateau on Chicago’s Northwest Side, he met the proprietor’s daughter Doris, who would later become his wife.

The 1970’s were memorable not only for the births of his three sons, Jeff, Greg & Glenn, but also for the creation of the band known as the Tones. The Tones style was the newest thing in polka music and Jerry was a key member. The Tones recorded two LP’s that showcased their amazing talents. They took the work of the Hi-Notes and Ampol Aires to the next level. Their mix of old tunes and originals made them a polka favorite. Jerry’s clarinet solo in “On Top of the World” Polka is a classic. Many of today’s musicians have been influenced by the work of the Tones; these are the musicians that will keep polka music strong in the 21st Century.

In 1975, Jerry got together with some top Chicago musicians to form the Chicago Sound. Although this group’s life was short-lived they released six songs on Chicago Polka Records including “Uptown Saturday Nite” which was later a USPA award-winning song for The Sounds from Pittsburgh. The late-70’s brought Jerry to the “honky” side of polkas as he played and recorded three albums with Stas Golonka’s Chicago Masters.

In 1980, after a short time with a group in the popular music field, Jerry joined a band that would again change polka music. He was an original member and emcee for the Lenny Gomulka’s Chicago Push and recorded their first LP, A Twelve Pack of Polkas. As a successful businessman with a growing family Jerry left the band and the traveling in 1981. In 1982 he formed his own band, the Chi-Town Express. With their up-tempo, honky style sound, the Chi-Town Express was immediately a hit on the Chicago-land polka scene. After some personnel changes and Jerry again picking up the trumpet, the Chi-Town Express became one of the more versatile bands playing the honky sounds of Li’l Wally and the ‘push’ styles of the Dynatones, Sounds and Krew Brothers. They recorded one LP under Jerry’s guidance, Introducing The Chi-Town Express. He would later make a cameo appearance on their next album, playing clarinet and saxophone on "Flloydds” Oberek.

1986 brought Jerry back to the Chicago Push; the added clarinet and sax rounded out this already amazing and exciting band. The double clarinet and clarinet & sax combinations allowed the Push to capitalize on their roots and perform “Chicago Style” polkas with huge success. In 1987, In Polka Unity was recorded and received a Grammy nomination. Jerry finished out the 80’s again going honky with Stas Golonka and recording his “King of Honky” album.

In the fall of 1989 Jerry received a phone call from the Ampol Aires who needed a clarinet/sax player as a temporary fill-in. In 1990, he joined the Goodtimes as they made a comeback into the polka field after many years playing only private functions. Through 1992, Jerry did all of the public and private work with the Goodtimes along with select local and all road jobs with the Ampol Aires. Until 1999, he provided the tenor saxophone for the Goodtimes as they resurrected the 1960’s sound of Chicago’s Naturals Orchestra.

From 1999 and into 2004, Jerry did the local work with Stas Golonka and also played with jazz and popular groups. February 2004 brought Jerry’s latest contribution to the polka industry as he reunited with some musicians that he shared the stage with many years ago. This veteran band is known as One More Tyme. The group brings over 150 years of polka music experience and it shows. Always being up for a challenge, Jerry encourages the band into playing some old songs that were made popular by bands such as the Casinos and the Connecticut Twins. His talents on tunes such as “Tin Lizzie” Polka will soon be available on a Chicago Polka Records recording. This band is all for “fun” as Jerry’s career in public affairs and spending his summer weekends in his pool with grand-daughters Amanda and Emily account for most of his time.

As a tribute to his talents he has been used by Bel-Aire and Chicago Polka Records as a studio musician for recordings with Wesoly Stas and Casey Siewierski, to name a few. When teamed with Don Ptak and Eddie Blazonczyk they formed the first band to record with Wanda & Stephanie. Jerry also performed on Marion Lush’s well-known Dzien Dobry album. As a promoter of polkas Jerry has run dances and benefits, co-hosted the Polka Power Hour on WTAQ radio, held the position of an IPA director and participated on the national scope as a voting member of NARAS. As an emcee and bandleader, he always made sure to promote upcoming polka events.

As a musician, Jerry Mytych is the consummate professional and his love for the music can be exemplified as he has continuously been seen and heard playing polkas all across the country. Over the years he has “sat-in” with top bands such as The Versatones, Marion Lush, Music Company, The Sounds, Downtown Sound, The Dynatones and Jimmy Sturr’s Orchestra—Jimmy even let him sing!