Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Longest Running Polka Band Honored
Rachel Luewski - Telegram Staff Writer
Temple Daily Telegram - 2015-07-05
Originally from Cameron, the Leo Majek Orchestra has continued playing music through five generations.
From a single accordion in 1897 to a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame, the Majek’s have maintained their strong Czech heritage and have continued the musical legacy of their family patriarch.
Leo Paul Majek Sr. began playing the accordion when he was 12 and living in Slovak, Moravia. The area is now part of the Czech Republic. He played by ear and was passionate about polkas and waltzes.
He married in 1908 and he and his wife, Rosie, had two children by 1912.
Majek worked in a sugar factory during the day, but would often play music for weddings and parties at night.
In 1913, Majek crossed the ocean to start a new life in America. By the next year, his family had joined him on a farm in Cameron. The couple had five sons by 1929 and the boys picked up instruments at an early age.
Father and sons (John, Leo Jr., Charlie, Frank and Joe) started a polka band and after playing for almost 30 years, the band was well-known in the area.
When the family moved to Corpus Christi, the band continued to play for their church Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish.
The music continued through following generations, with the last of the original members passing away in 2013.
Jerome Majek, grandson of original member John Majek, first performed with the family band when he was 11. Now, with a family of his own, he continues to play bass.
“Since I was born that’s all I ever heard,” he said. “I just had a passion for it.”
Like the band’s founder, Leo Sr., Jerome Majek plays entirely by ear. His daughter, the second youngest member of the band, has shown she inherited the trait as well.
“She has the same ear as we’ve got,” he said. “It took her a while to get here and join in.”
Lauren Majek now plays acoustic guitar with the family.
The band was recognized by the Texas Music Association in 1992 with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1997, the then-Texas State Representative recognized them for being the longest performing Czech family orchestra in the country.
The Majeks have continued to play and now include Jerome, Lauren, Martha Ann, Jerry, Austin, Michael and Trey Majek. The youngest members are 17-year-old Lauren and 8-year-old Austin, the great, great grandchildren of Leo Majek Sr.
The Majek Family Orchestra received a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame on June 5. Wives of the deceased original band members were present to cut the ceremonial ribbon the following day.
“It was very awesome,” said Jerome. “It meant a lot to me. “I speak for everyone in the band. We don’t do it for the money. It’s in the heart.”
The band has future performances planned, including a concert in Cameron in August as part of the St. Monica Catholic Church’s annual picnic.
As for the band, Jerome said he hopes they will continue to play.
“Our goal is to keep it going,” he said.
rlijewski@tdtnews.com
Rachel Luewski - Telegram Staff Writer
Temple Daily Telegram - 2015-07-05
Originally from Cameron, the Leo Majek Orchestra has continued playing music through five generations.
From a single accordion in 1897 to a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame, the Majek’s have maintained their strong Czech heritage and have continued the musical legacy of their family patriarch.
Leo Paul Majek Sr. began playing the accordion when he was 12 and living in Slovak, Moravia. The area is now part of the Czech Republic. He played by ear and was passionate about polkas and waltzes.
He married in 1908 and he and his wife, Rosie, had two children by 1912.
Majek worked in a sugar factory during the day, but would often play music for weddings and parties at night.
In 1913, Majek crossed the ocean to start a new life in America. By the next year, his family had joined him on a farm in Cameron. The couple had five sons by 1929 and the boys picked up instruments at an early age.
Father and sons (John, Leo Jr., Charlie, Frank and Joe) started a polka band and after playing for almost 30 years, the band was well-known in the area.
When the family moved to Corpus Christi, the band continued to play for their church Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish.
The music continued through following generations, with the last of the original members passing away in 2013.
Jerome Majek, grandson of original member John Majek, first performed with the family band when he was 11. Now, with a family of his own, he continues to play bass.
“Since I was born that’s all I ever heard,” he said. “I just had a passion for it.”
Like the band’s founder, Leo Sr., Jerome Majek plays entirely by ear. His daughter, the second youngest member of the band, has shown she inherited the trait as well.
“She has the same ear as we’ve got,” he said. “It took her a while to get here and join in.”
Lauren Majek now plays acoustic guitar with the family.
The band was recognized by the Texas Music Association in 1992 with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1997, the then-Texas State Representative recognized them for being the longest performing Czech family orchestra in the country.
The Majeks have continued to play and now include Jerome, Lauren, Martha Ann, Jerry, Austin, Michael and Trey Majek. The youngest members are 17-year-old Lauren and 8-year-old Austin, the great, great grandchildren of Leo Majek Sr.
The Majek Family Orchestra received a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame on June 5. Wives of the deceased original band members were present to cut the ceremonial ribbon the following day.
“It was very awesome,” said Jerome. “It meant a lot to me. “I speak for everyone in the band. We don’t do it for the money. It’s in the heart.”
The band has future performances planned, including a concert in Cameron in August as part of the St. Monica Catholic Church’s annual picnic.
As for the band, Jerome said he hopes they will continue to play.
“Our goal is to keep it going,” he said.
rlijewski@tdtnews.com
All credit for this article goes to
Rachel Luewski
the
Temple Daily Telegram
Rachel Luewski
the
Temple Daily Telegram
Above-Left: The original members of the Leo Majek Orchestra pose for a photo. Original members included Leo Sr. Majek and his sons John, Charlie, Frank and Joe Majek.
Above-Right: The Leo Majek Orchestra was honored with a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame on June 5.
Above-Right: The Leo Majek Orchestra was honored with a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame on June 5.
Text
Courtesy photos