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From big-tent fests to intimate receptions, the exciting sound of The Frankfurters has been enjoyed since 1982 by audiences all across the Northeast United States and southern Ontario, as well as throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe. During their overseas tour of 1987, The Frankfurters thrilled crowds with their special brand of entertainment in shows at the Casino in Luzern, the Kongress Salle in Inssbruck, in Munich's venerable Augustiner Keller, and on stage in the world famous HOFBRÄHAUS! They have performed in the Catskills including at the German Alps Festival at Hunter Mountain, New York, and Riedlbauer Resort at Round Top.
THE BAND
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Jim Pace
Tuba, Electric Bass, and Vocals
Jim performs with a wide variety of musical groups including the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Brass Quintet, the Bison City Stompers Dixieland Band, and cello with the Richmond String Quartet. He also plays the fife in a Civil War reenacting fife and drum corps. In The Frankfurters, Jim is also featured on the Swiss Alphorn. Jim earned his bachelor's degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia, his master's from the University at Buffalo and also studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Graz, Austria. He is the retired orchestra director at Lake Shore Senior High School.
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Kenny Peek
Trumpet and Flügelhorn
Ken began playing German music in 1976 with the German American Musicians Konzert-Kapelle . Since then he has performed with a variety of local groups including the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band, Buffalo Silver Band, American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, Cheektowaga Symphony, Bergholz German Band, The Continentals and City Side Polka Band. In The Frankfurters, Ken is also featured on the Swiss Alphorn and Rollhorn. He received his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Buffalo and currently works in the music publishing field as music editor and engraver at Kendor Music.
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Joseph “Seppl” Bernard
Clarinet, Saxophone, and Vocals
Seppl plays lead alto saxophone in the Hamburg Village Band as well as tenor saxophone in the Erie County Wind Ensemble. Seppl is a valued member of many professional orchestras and bands throughout the Buffalo area including his own popular group, The Pyramid Big Band. In The Frankfurters, Seppl also plays the Bavarian Cowbells.
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William "Woody" Izydorczak
Accordion and Vocals
Woody has been playing the accordion for 51 years. He has taken formal lessons for only 3 of those years; one being with famed accordionist Johny Johnson from "Dialing for Dollars". Since then he has "learned by doing" and has become a world class performer. He has played with his own band ("The Bill Wylliams Band") for 33 years and with "Rare Vintage" for the past 10. When not playing the accordion Woody is a self employed plumber in Attica. |
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Paul “Pfitz” Pfitzinger
Baritone Horn,Trombone, and Vocals
Pfitz has been playing in German bands since 1972. He also played Dixieland trombone with 23 Skidoo and the French Quartet. In addition to his unique brand of humor, Pfitz adds the “singing saw” to The Frankfurters' Bavarian show. |
Mitch Quick
Drums and Vocals
Mitch began his musical career in his early teens with a rock and roll band. From the late sixties to the present, Mitch has been involved in various aspects of theatre productions in the Western New York area, including acting, technical direction,and video production. In demand as a sound technician, Mitch mixed several previous Frankfurter recordings along with the acclaimed “Schallplattenfest” recording. |
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THE SOUND GUYS
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Mark Percy, aka Deutsch Mark
Mark started out as a bass player in a garage band but quickly graduated to rhythm guitar because it required less talent. Along the way the tone deaf, colorblind and talent-free musician realized he'd be better off behind the curtains running lights and sound. With a Science Education degree from UB he began working at Williamsville North, where he has been the stage crew advisor for many years and has fooled countless parents and administrators into thinking that he knows what he's doing. Lack of business and common sense led to The Frankfurters bringing Mark and Bill on full time.
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Bill Ross, aka Wilhelm Dieter, aka Mark's sub
Wilhelm began his career wrestling professionally under the guise of The Hypnotist in the mid-1980's. He quickly gained the attention of uber-fan Aaron Spelling, and was cast in the lead of Alois in the popular night time jiggle-TV soap opera The Schnickelgrubers. After a bizarre in-ring accident left him inexplicably unable to speak German, he became a sound technician for the short-lived Austrian hardcore band The Waldheims. In addition to his work with The Frankfurters, Will is a live recording enthusiast and schnizel pounder in Kaisertown.
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OUR SUBS
  
Stan Drobnich Dick Riederer Dick Sowinski
  
Jimmy Turner Bob "Beans" King Craig "Hurricane" Hodnett
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