Polish Texan fiddler Brian Marshall and Kosciuszko Lodge 165 of the Polish National Alliance sponsored a cultural exchange between Iszkierczanie and Polish Texan descendants in the month of December 2022.
Iszkierczanie is an authentic Polish village band from Debica, Poland. They are from the same area of Poland as many of our Polish immigrants that arrived in Texas in the late 1800's. “Iskierczanie” (Is Kier Chan Yeah) gets inspiration from old fiddle village music of south-east Poland. The band follows the traditional idiom of playing music, especially from the Rzeszów, Tarnów, and Pogórze regions.
They learn from the experience of the older generation of musicians, as well as archival materials - audio recordings and sheet music. They are trying to pick out the most valuable pearls of the music of our ancestors. They also respond to the spontaneous character of this music by organizing and participating in traditional dance events, in which the participants naturally interact with the band (singing, playing together). In addition, we give concerts, conduct workshops on playing folk instruments, co-lead dance workshops and take part in many other musical projects.
Band members:
• Jakub Czapla – first fiddle - Young musician, musicology student, interested in musical traditions of old village music. Plays fiddle and cymbały.
• Bogusław Kamiński – second fiddle - Over 40 years of experience playing in traditional bands. Plays the second fiddle and clarinet.
• Stanisław Czapla – double bass / basy - Composer and arranger, founder of the band. Plays double bass, basy and trumpet.
