Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello (also known as Władysław Jagiełło, Li'l Wally, also Mały Władziu and Mały Władzio, which both mean "Li'l Wally" in Polish) (August 1, 1930 – August 17, 2006) was a Polish American polka musician, songwriter and music arranger from Chicago, Illinois. He was a self-taught Chemnitzer concertina and drum player, who sang Polish as well as English in many of his songs. His most famous compositions include "Puka Jasiu (Johnny's Knocking)" and "I Wish I Was Single Again". His song "Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox", as recorded by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers underwent a resurgence in 2005.
Originally starting out at the age of 8 singing with the Eddie Zima Orchestra performing up and down "Polish Broadway" in Chicago, Wally soon struck out on his own and formed his own band "The Happy Harmony Boys". He was a pioneer in the concept of the independent record label, starting his own Jay-Jay Records in 1951 after a brief career recording stint on Columbia Records, at the age of twenty. He was renowned for his drumbeat and slower and more danceable tempo, which became a mainstay of "Chicago Style" Polish-American polka sound. His arrangements of many popular Polish folk tunes, and many originals as well, are those used today by polka bands all over the United States. His nickname was derived from his short stature (5 foot 6 as an adult), especially during his youth, when he would stand on a picnic table to sing.
The highlight of Jagiello's career was performing for Pope John Paul II in 1984, who requested Wally continue playing after his initial song, "God Bless Our Polish Pope". The pontiff blessed him after his performance, telling him "God will reward you for all your hard work."
He also appeared several times playing his concertina on The Lawrence Welk Show. He was one of the first two inductees into the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame in 1969. All total, he has collected 17 gold and 4 platinum records.
In his later years, he retired to Miami Beach, Florida, but continued to perform and record and please audiences nationwide. Li'l Wally died on August 17, 2006, in Florida at the age of 76. He was cremated.
Discography
Albums Title Hi-Fi Number Stereo NumberAmerica's Favorite Polka and Waltz BandJay Jay 1001Jay Jay 5019Happy PolkasJay Jay 1002Jay Jay 5020New Sound By The Best AroundJay Jay 1003Jay Jay 5005Polka Bandstand FavoritesJay Jay 1004Jay Jay 5038The Polka Beat For Your Dancing FeetJay Jay 1006Jay Jay 5037Jolly PolkasJay Jay 1008N/AOld Country Polish PolkasJay Jay 1010Jay Jay 5001Polka PartyJay Jay 1012Jay Jay 5147I Love To PolkaJay Jay 1014Jay Jay 5000All-American PolkasJay Jay 1016Jay Jay 5004Koledy - Polish Christmas Carols Volume 1Jay Jay 1017N/AWesoło Do TańcaJay Jay 1018Jay Jay 5006Thanks For A Wonderful EveningJay Jay 1020Jay Jay 5008Koledy - Polish Christmas Carols Volume 2Jay Jay 1023Jay Jay 5011Po Staro KrajskuJay Jay 1025N/ADance Around The Christmas TreeJay Jay 1026Jay Jay 5012Polkas & Waltzes For EveryoneJay Jay 1027Jay Jay 5013Smutku Niema, Gdy Mały Władziu SpiewaJay Jay 1031Jay Jay 5017Hit ParadeJay Jay 1032Jay Jay 5018Let's Sing TogetherJay Jay 1034Jay Jay 5022Beautiful Polka MusicJay Jay 1035Jay Jay 5023Songs You've Been Waiting ForJay Jay 1036Jay Jay 5036Christmas TimeJay Jay 1039Jay Jay 5026Polka TwistJay Jay 1041Jay Jay 5028Polish Polka TwistJay Jay 1044Jay Jay 5031Polish Sing-A-Long #2Jay Jay 1047Jay Jay 503450/50 Polkas & WaltzesJay Jay 1050Jay Jay 5050Something DifferentJay Jay 1052Jay Jay 5052Golden WaltzesJay Jay 1053Jay Jay 5053Dancing Fingers featuring Nervous FreddieJay Jay 1055Jay Jay 5055Sing with Me #3Jay Jay 1056Jay Jay 5056Nowe Wesołe Piosenik LudoweJay Jay 1057Jay Jay 5057Here Comes Li'l WallyJay Jay 1058Jay Jay 5058Polka Stars on ParadeJay Jay 1059Jay Jay 5059My VacationJay Jay 1064Jay Jay 5064Jeszcze Nasza!Jay Jay 1065Jay Jay 5065Hot ChickenJay Jay 1069Jay Jay 5069One Man BandJay Jay 1073Jay Jay 5073Polish Party - Adults OnlyJay Jay 1077Jay Jay 5077Li'l Wally's Greatest!Jay Jay 1078Jay Jay 5078Oh Boy, Polka JoyJay Jay 1079Jay Jay 5079A Polka ChristmasJay Jay 1080Jay Jay 5080Pieknie Gra Poleczki Od UchaJay Jay 1081Jay Jay 5081Bartender SongJay Jay 1086Jay Jay 5086Polish Wedding AlbumJay Jay 1089Jay Jay 5089Spiew I GłosJay Jay 1091Jay Jay 5091Do The Li'l Wally TwirlJay Jay 1094Jay Jay 5094Li'l Wally In Miami BeachJay Jay 1097Jay Jay 5097Nice With Polish SpiceJay Jay 1098Jay Jay 5098Live It Up - Zyj Bracie! Po Polsku!Jay Jay 1103 Jay Jay 5103Sincerely YoursJay Jay 1104Jay Jay 5104Mr. Happy MusicJay Jay 1107Jay Jay 5107Polka A Go-GoJay Jay 1110Jay Jay 5110A Tribute To ZimaJay Jay 1112Jay Jay 5112Polish Adults Hit ParadeJay Jay 1113Jay Jay 5113International Golden HitsN/AJay Jay 5019Li'l Wally Sings Po Polsku with Eddie Zima and His BandN/AJay Jay 5099Poland TourN/AJay Jay 5101Kolędy SwiąteczneN/AJay Jay 5105Kochana MamaJay Jay 1114Jay Jay 5114Li'l Wally Salutes Lawrence WelkN/AJay Jay 5117Sing Along No. 4N/AJay Jay 5118There's More To A WeddingN/AJay Jay 5119Nowe Piosenki O Weselu (New Polish Wedding Songs)Jay Jay 1120Jay Jay 5120Witamy PrezydentaJay Jay 1121Jay Jay 5121Polish Songs For YouN/AJay Jay 5121Polish SexN/AJay Jay 5122More New Polish FavoritesN/AJay Jay 5123Polish Sing Along No. 5N/AJay Jay 5124Thank You - Polka Hall of FameN/AJay Jay 5127Polish Carnival TimeN/AJay Jay 5132BombsN/AJay Jay 5133Unforgettable HitsN/AJay Jay 5134Suggestive and HotN/AJay Jay 5135Around The WorldN/AJay Jay 5136Cieple PortkiN/AJay Jay 5137Stary Kaziu GraN/AJay Jay 5138Polish Hits of the 50sN/AJay Jay 5141PolkaramaN/AJay Jay 5142Li'l Wally in ActionN/AJay Jay 5145Polka Party With Li'l WallyN/AJay Jay 5147Proud To Be An AmericanN/AJay Jay 5148America's Greatest Polka BandN/AJay Jay 5151Polskie Czucie - Polish FeelingsN/AJay Jay 5153Nowe Wesołe PiosenkiN/AJay Jay 5158Li'l Wally Brings Happiness To YouN/AJay Jay 5162-3All Night with Li'l WallyN/AJay Jay 5163FantasztyczneN/AJay Jay 5165National HitsN/AJay Jay 5164FantasztyczneN/AJay Jay 5165Jolly Times "Wesole Czasy"N/AJay Jay 5166The Best! Co Jest!N/AJay Jay 5167Jagiello Sound Vol. 1N/AJay Jay 8000Jagiello Production Vol. 2N/AJay Jay 8001Jagiello Sound Vol. 3N/AJay Jay 8002Christmas Favorites From PolandN/AJay Jay 8003Lil Wally in France, Vol. IN/AJay Jay 8004Polish Religious Hymns by Li'l Wally and the St. Stanislaus Choral GroupN/AJay Jay S100
Singles