Joan Blaser plays an accordion in front of a blue backdrop, a music stand, and a keyboard. She wears a traditional black and white lace floral dress.

Joan Blaser

Accordionist

Joan Blaser (Tillamook) is a traditional musician who can light up a dance floor with her accordion playing. Blaser is one of the original members of the Polkatones, a Northwest touring group that Albert Schwend, Jr. founded in 1971. Schwend, a Swiss immigrant, had a dream to start a polka band. Blaser's Swiss ancestors set out on foot from Salem to Tillamook with nothing but the clothes on their backs and their button accordions.

Bio

Joan Blaser is a traditional musician who can light up a dance floor with her accordion playing. Blaser is one of the original members of the Polkatones, a Northwest touring group that Albert Schwend, Jr. founded in 1971. Schwend, a Swiss immigrant, had a dream to start a polka band. Blaser's Swiss ancestors immigrated to Oregon in 1904. As the story goes, from Salem they set out on foot for Tillamook with nothing but the clothes on their backs and their button accordions. Blaser, who grew up in Tillamook, took piano lessons at an early age as did her two brothers. Her piano lessons would later turn into accordion lessons in 8th grade at the urging of her father. "I thought it was cool. Taking piano lessons with Sister Callista, accordion lessons with Dick Kokich, and being involved in the Polkatones band. There was more freedom to be involved in outside activities. But there still were the farms chores as needed." Blaser speaks fondly of her teachers. Mr. Kokich viewed her as an easy student. With her background on the piano, all Blaser had to do of her Mundinger accordian was to get the mechanics down. She started playing accordion gigs while still at Tillamook High School. Then came the Polkatones, which played their first gig in a dairy barn. For generations Swiss "stomps" or dances were popular at local Grange Halls in Tillamook County. Blaser has also played her share of polka masses through the years, another practice gone with the times. With their repertoire of polkas, waltzes and schottisches, Blaser describes today's Polkatones music as "Frankie Yankovic with a Swiss twist." The Polkatones maintain an active touring schedule throughout the year with engagements across the Northwest and beyond. "Yeah, we play real instruments. We don't have an electric guitar. I mean, we're real."

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Contact

  • Phone number (503) 842-5226

  • Address

    Joan Blaser

    7120 Fairview Rd #41A

    Tillamook, OR, 97141