Born in Poland, John Gora emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario with his family in 1974. He was exposed to music right from birth as all of his family was very musically inclined and his mother lead a folk choir in Poland. He began playing the clarinet and saxophone in high school.

In 1979, Gora formed a trio which expanded to a combo, playing local at Canadian Legion halls and catering to "continental" music crowds. Since 1989  the John Góra Band - the Górale (Mountaineers) also known as The Music Factory (T.M.F.), performs as a six or seven piece band with instruments such as: saxophone, clarinet, trumpets, drums, bass, guitar, concertina, violin, keyboards and of course vocals and has been performing for many years at various festivals, dances and special events throughout the USA and southern Ontario.

In 2008 John and the band were recognized by the IPA (International Polka Association and won awards for the “CD of the Year” for their recording BULLETPROOF POLKAS and IPA “ Song of the Year” for the song “Kiss of Fire”. "Bulletproof Polkas" CD is also nominated for the JUST PLAIN FOLKS MUSIC AWARDS. 

The John Gora Band records polka CD's with a contemporary touch. When it comes to live events, you can expect anything and everything. A variety of music to suit North American audiences as well as ethnic flare which includes: Polish, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Croatian, Italian and German.

The John Gora Band has played over 500 events, venues and festivals. Selected past and upcoming venues:

Molson Amphitheatre * Casino Niagara * Oakville Arena * JPII Cultural Centre * Cascade Park Pavilion * Roncesvalles Village Festival * Baltimore Polish Festival * White Eagle Hall * Bethlehem Musikfest * Casa Loma * St. Casey's Hall * St. Mary's Pavilion * CHIN Picnic * Cascade Park * St. Nick's Hall * The Gladstone Ballroom * PAC Club * Milwaukee Polish Featival * IV Stallion' s Bar * Sons of Italy Hall * Johnstown Musicfest * Octoberfest....

John Gora - leader, sax
John Winiarz - drums
Greg Winiarz - bass
Robbie Piatkowski - trumpet
Ted Lange- accordion, keyboard
Jack Beachly - concertina
Kyle Pacey - guitar

The John Gora Band has received Grammy Nominations for 4 of it's past CD releases: in 1998 for "Duty Free Polkas"; 2000 for "Follow Me"; in 2004 for "Pangora's Box"; and in 2007 for "Bulletproof Polkas." To date the band has recorded 8 CD's and is currently touring and promoting this year's CD release " Polka Playin Fool."

Polka Playin' Fool (2009)


Album Review by Rob Savickis www.bestpolkabands.com

Polka Playin' Fool is John Gora's 8th album and it is a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end. The album consists of a variety of songs both in English and Polish and on one song there is even a bit of French thrown in. Every song on the album is very good and some are truly great.

The title track Polka Playin' Fool starts the album off with a bang and in my opinion should become a polka classic. Some of my other favorites are Out Behind The Barn, featuring vocals by Ted Lange and Daddy's Hands, sung by Mollie Busta who has been honored as the IPA Female Singer of the Year. Listen to her sing and you'll know very quickly why she received that honor. Halleluyah is a very stong cover of the Leonard Cohen classic. My favorite waltz on the album though is an original John Gora composition Dudni Woda Dudni.

Another of my favorites on this album is a medley of 3 songs, "Melody of Love", first made famous by Bobby Vinton, then continuing with the classic "You Are My Sunshine" and ending with a traditional French Canadian folk song for which I am not sure of the exact title but it contains the main line "All The Strawberries, Raspberries, Good Wine That I Drank". The 3 songs fit and blend together perfectly and this was one medley I was listening to over and over and over again. Probably about the 15th time I played it I probably would say the 3rd and final song both grew on me and became my favorite of the 3.

I must also commend John Gora and/or his graphic designers for the excellent packaging and design of this cd. Too many polka cds don't go the extra step, as this one did, of creating not just excellent music but also an attractive package for the purchaser of the cd. To purchase this cd go to John Gora's website www.johngora.com .

Bulletproof Polkas (2007)

*GRAMMY NOMINATED
Janine Adamczyk from the Milwaukee Polish Fest writes "The wait is over, John Gora & Gorale have released an extremely diverse CD in "Bulletproof Polkas." This recording showcases the versatility of the group featuring great melodies, innovative stylings, and solid musicianship. From traditional polkas like Haystack to the contemporary polkas such as Karma Chameleon, The Letter and then onto the Gospel Polka, I Surrender All, John Gora & Gorale once again prove their considerable skill with their ability to capture the heart and soul of each song. ""Bulletproof Polkas" will captivate your attention and give you hours of listening and dancing enjoyment."

Pangora's Box (2004)

*GRAMMY NOMINATED

Can-Am Polkas (2002)


Follow Me (2000)

*GRAMMY NOMINATED

Duty Free Polkas (1998)

*GRAMMY NOMINATED

Take A Spin (1994)


Ready For Takeoff (1990)

Website:  www.johngora.com
Email: john@johngora.com

To contact John Gora & Gorale, Korona Band &
The Music Factory - DJ Services please contact the man with many hats: John Gora
Tel or Fax: 905-336-3055 or Cell: 905-902-1345

or by snail mail

in Canada at:

John Gora
2178 Ferencich Court
Burlington, ON L7M 3N1 Canada

or In the USA:

John Gora
P.O. Box 196
Buffalo, NY 14225