Danny Zapletal- trumpet, keyboard, vocals, and arranger, David Slovak- accordion, piano, guitar, and vocals, Michelle Slovak- sax and clarinet, Jennifer Marek- sax and clarinet, John Schumacher- bass and vocals, Aaron Schumacher- trumpet and vocals, Zeke Martinez– drums
Influences
Czech & Then Some has had many influences: Polka Bands such as: Ernie Kucera, Harry Czarnek & The Texas Dutchmen, Six Fat Dutchmen, Elmer Scheid, Dean Hanson, Jim Bochnicek, Mark Vyhlidal, Vrazels' Polka Band, Czech Harvester's, Brave Combo, Whoopee John Orchestra, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Johnny Mensik Orchestra, Henry Rejcek Band, and the Music Masters.
Czech & Then Some has been playing since January 1997. The majority of the band’s members is of Czech descent and enjoys keeping their Czech Heritage alive. They play a variety of music consisting of polkas, waltzes, country music, and fun dances.
Czech & Then Some are celebrating their 11th anniversary. Czech & Then Some has performed at many functions such as National Polka Festival in Ennis, TX, Westfest, Accordion Kings in Stephenville, Texas, Six Flags Over Texas for the Texas Heritage Festival, Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Kolache Christmas, Weddings, Anniversaries, and parties and has appeared on Good Morning Texas show on WFAA Channel 8 ABC and Good Day Morning Show on Fox 4. They have played several fund raiser dances to help raise money for the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center
The band has made fiver trips out of state in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006. 2000, 2002, and 2005 were at the Starlite Polka Festival in Wahoo, NE, making a stop in Yukon, OK. 2004 was to the Kansas Polkatennial in Wichita, Kansas. 2006 trip included dances in Iowa and the Denmark Polka Festival in Denmark, Wisconsin.
The band has many years of experience of playing polka music. The band members are Aaron Schumacher- trumpet; Aaron is Seventeen years old and has been with the band for almost 3 years now and just graduated from High School. Zeke Martinez– drums; Zeke is 21 and has been playing with Czech & Then Some for one year, he has played with several different country and Tejano bands. John Schumacher- bass and vocals; has 12 years playing with Harvesters and Czech & Then Some. John has been with Czech & Then Some for 6 years. Jennifer Marek- sax and clarinet; has 7 years with Czech & Then Some. Michelle Slovak- sax and clarinet; has 11 years with Harry Czarnek and The Texas Dutchmen and Czech & Then Some. David Slovak- accordion, piano, guitar, and vocals; has 20 years playing with the Henry Rejcek Polka Band, Harvesters, and Czech & Then Some. David is co-owner of the band. Danny Zapletal- trumpet, keyboard, vocals, and arranger; has 28 years playing with Harry Czarnek & the Texas Dutchmen and Czech & Then Some. Danny is also co-owner and leader of the band.
The band has five recordings on CD with two of them on cassette tape. The first recording is “On The Street Corner”, the second is entitled “Festival Time In Ennis”, the third recording is “The Easy Life”, the fourth is “A Czech & Then Some Christmas”, and the fifth and latest is “Polkas For Everyone”. The band will release it sixth CD in mid August of 2007.
sorry I didn't get any trumpet playing in while y'all were over at Ennis... Bubba got it in the set right after you left-- guess, he didn't want me to embarass myself! Looking forward to seeing ya at West...
The Ennis Czech Music Fest was a huge success this past Saturday. What a great crowd!! We had a wonderful time. Keep playing those great polkas and waltzes. Spanem bohem!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for playing at the benefit yesterday! It was an unbelievable day, and your music helped make it that way! Love me some CATS!!! :O)
We are looking forward to your band playing for the Sunday Morning Polka Show live broadcast at the KJT Sunday May 27 - Ennis Polka Festival. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to keeping Polka Music and the Czech traditions alive! Spanem Bohem a Nas Ledanou!
