Walter Edward Jagiello (Li'l Wally)
Musician, entertainer, executive
Born Aug. 1, 1930, Chicago (IL), U.S.; s. John and Katherine (Mirek); m. Jeanette Anna (Kozak); children: Edward, Julieanna, James.
Career: recording singer, Columbia Records, 1949-51; owner, pres., Jay Jay Record Co., owner, Jay Jay Publ. Co., Li'l Wally Musie Productions, 1951 -, Chicago (IL); owner, Specialty Distributors, 1956 -, Chicago and Miami (FL); owner, Walters Music Company, 1970 -, Chicago.
Author: numerous compositions. arrangements and lyrics for over 3000 songs, i.a.: God Bless Our Polish Pope, Wish I Was Single Again, Seven Days and Seven Nights Without You, Two Bucks Polka, Johnnie's Knockin', Under the Bridge, Polka Joy, Flow ers for Mother, Li'l Wally Twirl, Please Believe Me, Take Me Baby, Lucky Stop Waliz, Broken Hearted, Utica Polka, Jolly Fellow, Leavingfor the Service, A Polka Christmas, We Love Our USA, Old Lady Oberek; guest performer, The Lawrence Welk Network TV Show.
Member of, i.a.: co-founder, life member, Chicago chapter, National Academy of Art & Sciences; International Polka Association; United Polka Association; Polka Ambassadors Club; Polish Crusaders Club; Polish American Club of Miami (FL).
Honors, i.a.: 17 gold and 4 platinum records; Chicago's Polka King, Radio Station WOPA and Polka fans in Chicago, 1956; first elected to Polka Hall of Fame, 1969; Outstanding Service for National Ballroom Operations Association, award, Polish National Alliance (P.N.A.) and All Nations Polka & Folk Dance Committee, 1969; performer for Pope John Paul II, 1984; World Polka King, 1984; Grammy nomination for Polish Feelings album, 1985; award of appreciation, Charles Rozmarek, president of Polish American Congress (P.A.C.).
Affiliation: Democrat. Catholic.
Languages: Polish, English.
Hobbies: music, cooking, video.
Office: Li'l Wally Music Productions. 35 NE. 62nd St., Miami, FL 33138.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996