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 HOFBRAUHAUS! 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


Jim Pace
Tuba, Electric Bass, Banjo, and Vocals
Jim studied at the Hochschule fur Musik in Graz, Austria. He performs with a wide variety of musical groups including the Bison City Stompers, Dixieland Band, and cello with the Richmond String Quartet. In
The Frankfurters, Jim is also featured on the Swiss Alphorn and Hackbrett. Jim earned his bachelor's degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and his master's from the University of Buffalo.  He has recently retired as orchestra director at Lake Shore Senior High School.

 
                                                                         Geoff Richter
                                                   Trumpet, Flugelhorn, and Vocals
Geoff's trumpet style has been enjoyed for years throughout the western New York area in such popular groups as the Buffalo Brass Quintet, the Erie County Wind Ensemble, the Clarence Summer Orchestra and the Cheektowaga, Orchard Park and Amherst Symphonys. In
The Frankfurters, Geoff is featured on the Swiss Alphorn and Rollhorn along with the Bavarian "Cow" Bells. Geoff earned his bachelor's and master's degree in music education, along with the coveted Performer's Certificate from the famed Eastman School of Music.  He has retired as the band director at Williamsville North High School. (We also need a new pic without facial hair!)


 

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 big band Pyramid.

                  


                                                                      
                                    
        

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.

 

 


Paul “Pfitz” Pfitzinger
Baritone Horn ("Euphonium"), 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 popular “Schallplattnfest” recording.

 

THE SOUND GUYS


Mark Percy, aka Deutsche 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 administartors into thinking that he knows what he's doing. Recently, lack of business and common sense has led to The Frankfurters bringing Mark and Bill on full time.


                         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 bizaar 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, Wil is a live recording enthusiast and schnizel pounder in Kaisertown.

THE SUPER SUBS

                                           

                                      Stan Drobnich                      Kenny Peek 

            

               Jimmy Turner               Bob "Beans" King                    Dick Riederer  

              

                                           John Licata             Craig "Huricane" Hodnett