Black Forest Band

Black-Forest-Band-Poster-1The Black Forest Band

is the best known group to perform at Kitchener-Waterloo’s Oktoberfest each year. Not just renowned for being an elite polka band in Canada and the United States, but also one of Canada’s best loved party bands. Winners of the 2012 PACE Awards for Best German Album. The PACE AWARDS have replaced the POLKA Category from the Grammy Awards.

How do you describe The Black Forest Band to somebody who hasn’t heard them play before? To begin with, you explain that this band does not just “play” – The Black Forest Band is a full entertainment experience! They have a wonderful ability to charm an audience and draw them into the party atmosphere. All the fun of great polkas and Oktoberfest favourites, brought to you by people who are not just professionals, but who also love this music!

The Black Forest Band loves their fans, and they know that the show is all for you. The Black Forest Band experience isn’t just a concert, it’s like friends playing at your party and playing “with” you, not just for you!

But we can’t stop there! This band bangs out all kinds of party music – don’t let the costumes fool you! You may find yourself out on the floor for a polka, and effortlessly, they’ll have you singing along with a rock or pop hit before your toes have stopped the polka! Fans of rock n’ roll; the power songs of the Seventies; The songs people loved in the 1980’s or 90’s ; right on up to this year – The Black Forest Band members love the great songs that you do – and will likely introduce you to some special music that you will love!

It’s like magic! The music really does cross generations when played with this much fun and passion!

Besides the authentic taste of Oktoberfest, you are likely to hear anything from Jazz, classic Rock, Country, swing and songs or dances that have been popular in North America over the past 100 years! The band is always keeping a collective ear open for new songs as well. If it’s popular at parties and you can sing along, chances are that the Black Forest Band will play it!

The Black Forest Band has been doing this for decades now, playing parties all over Canada, the US and even the Caribbean. Whether it is holding court at an Oktoberfest, or sharing the same stage as legends of rock, pop or traditional music at a festival. This band knows how to entertain! Since 1981, it has been a great experience! The Black Forest Band has had many albums that regularly sell incredibly well – thanks again to their fantastic fans! Keep watching for more information on past and new releases on this site in the near future.

Raise a Glass and Sing!

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.
Oans, zwoa, drei, Gsuffa!

Video Samples:

 

Join us at the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest this year at the Concordia Club – the heart of Oktoberfest!

 

The Black Forest Band Members:

Steve Richtaritsch
BFB-steve-richtaritsch-600-1 Steve blows them away on the Clarinet – just one of his many musical talents, as he plays sax, clarinet, and flute, and sings as well.Steve is a founding member along with Gary in February, 1981.
Gary Kreller
BFB-gary-kreller-600-1 Gary is not just vocals, but our accordion and keyboard man!He is a founding member of the Black Forest Band along with Steve in February, 1981 and is the music co-ordinator and arranger with allot of band interference/input.
Clive Ord
BFB-clive-ord-600-1 Clive provides extraordinary bass and vocals too!
Greg Dozois
BFB-greg-dozois-600-1 Greg plays trumpet, flugelhorn …and yes, sometimes tambourine too!
Vern MacDonald
BFB-vern-mcdonald-600-1 Guitar wizard and vocals.
Sonja Kroisenbrunner
BFB-sonja-600-3 Vocals and a touch of class to the other-wise all boy band!
Ron Duke
BFB-ron-duke-600-1 Drums and vocals are among many of Ron’s talents.
Ross Daly
BFB-ross-daly-600-1 Ross plays violin and sings as well.He has orchestrated the show “Rocktoberfest Polka!” for full symphony orchestra. See www.ovationsp.com for more information.
Paul Reibling
BFB-paul-reibling-600-1 Paul is our sound man – the guy who makes us sound good out front.

Song List:

Polkas
Beer Barrel Polka Musik ist Mein Glück
Clarinet Polka My Johnny
Das Grösste Glück Oh Baby Mine
Deal Or No Deal Oktoberfest is Here
Die Fischerin Ostanek Medley #1
Doe Medley (With Can Can) Ostanek Medley #2
Du Altes Arschloch Overnight
Dynatones Medley Peanuts
EIO Play Me A Song
Here & There Polka Heaven
Herz Schmerz Polka Town
Honky Style Medley Siebzehn
I Am Looking For Freibier Stand & Sing Ein Prosit
Jolly Wally Medley Schützenliesl
Keeshka Bandit Schöne Maid Medley
Lester’s Medley Stephanie
Let’s Have a Party Strawberries & Raspberries
Liechtensteiner Polka Tedzki
Li’l Sluggers Trompetenecho
Ludwig Wenn die Oberkreiner Kommen
Marianka Yankovic 1 Medley
Miskulin Medley Yankovic 2 Medley
Mozart’s Polka You Pay Your Money
Musik aus der Lederhose Zakuska
Waltzes
Alpine Echo Ja Ja Ja Das ist Lustig
An Der Sava Joliet & Happy Valley
Black Forest Lady Lore Leih’
Cuckoo Kufsteinlied
Deine Blauen Augen La-Dee-Da (Oberek)
Edelweiss My Heart Medley
Gemini Waltz Old-Fashioned Waltz
German Medley #1 Play, Play Your Accordion
German Medley #2 Rehbraune Augen
German Medley #3 Sag Danke Schön
German Medley #4 Snow Waltz
German Medley #5 Starlite & Blue Skirt
German Medley #6 Tulips From Amsterdam
German Medley #10 West Side Hop (Oberek)
Heut’ san ma Lustig Wunderbar
Ich Bau Dir Ein Schloss
German – Pop & Standard
Aber Dich Lilli Marleen & Seeman
Buenas Dias Argentina Marijana (Croatian)
Die Bouzoukis Klang Morgen
Die Kleinen Dinge des Lebens Santo Domingo
Hallo Hamburg Schottische Medley
Heimweih Sierra Madre
Herzilein Sommerwind
Ich Shau Dich An Wooden Heart
Leg Deine Hand
Jodlers (with Sonja)
Antonia Ja mir san Tiroler
Arizona Lieber Ledig und Frei
Das Jodel’n Luftschlossbau’n
Die Längste Nacht Der Welt Mein Vater ist ein Appenzeller
Ein Hauserl im Gebirg Musik ist Meine Welt
Frau Meier Oberkreiner Polka Medley
Gott Mit Dir Der Alt’ Ausseer Postillion
Grüne Tannen Salzburg Lied
Happy Love in Styria Scheibenjodler
Heut’ san ma Lustig Servus Gruezi u. Hallo
Herzklopfen Steirermen san Very Good
Hot Stuff Stimmung u. Musik
I bin a Lustiger Musikant Wenn ich auf Hohen Berge Steh’
I bin a Steirerbua
Novelty
Bird Dance / Baby Elephant Walk Living Next Door to Alice
Green Acres Macarena
Hokey Pokey Paul Jones
Irish Washerwoman Polonaise (Snake Dance)
Limbo Zillertaler Hochzeitsmarsch (Suicide Polka)
Standards & Latin
Bill Bailey Medley Mack the Knife
Crazy Never on Sunday (Cha-cha)
Dorotea Merengue & Coffee Commercial New York, New York
Five Foot Two & Bye Bye Blues Oh Heideröslein / La Paloma (Tango)
Fly Me to the Moon Release Me
Green, Green Grass of Home Return to Me (Italian)
Hell (Swing) Spanish Eyes
Isle of Capri (Cha-cha) Tango of the Roses
It Had to Be You Unforgettable
La Cumparsita (Tango) What A Wonderful World
Lambada Whiplash Tango (BFB)
L’Italiano (Cantare) (Italian) Yellow Bird / Jamaica Farewell
Pop & Ballads
Angel Eyes Islands in the Stream
Better Be Home Soon Just the Way You Are
Break It To Them Gently Lady in Red
Changes in Latitude Long May You Run
Dirty Old Town Margaritaville
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
Eight Days a Week To Love Somebody
Fields of Gold Under the Boardwalk
Follow Me When a Man Loves a Woman
Harvest Moon When the Night Feels My Song
Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You) (You Look) Wonderful Tonight
If I Had a Million Dollars
50’s & 60’s
Burnin’ Love Peggy Sue
But It’s Alright Pretty Woman
Can’t Help Falling in Love Rock & Roll Medley
Come a Little Bit Closer Runaway
Do You Love Me? Save the Last Dance
Good Old R&R (Cat Mother) Searching For My Love
Hey Baby (I Wanna Know) Shakin’ All Over
How Can I Be Sure? Suspicious Minds
La Bamba / Twist& Shout Treat Her Right
I Saw Her Standing There These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (with Sonja)
Last Kiss Wanderer, The
Let’s Twist Again Wonder of You, The
My Girl Wooly Bully
Country
All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down I Swear
Amazed It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere
Any Man of Mine (with Sonja) Little Moments
Battle of New Orleans (Cajun) Me & You Gonna Tango (Cajun Waltz)
Boot-Scootin’ Boogie Mercury Blues
Chattahoochie & Twist Mi Vida Loca (with Sonja)
Corrida #1 (Tex-Mex) My Maria
Could I Have This Dance? Never-Ending Love / Jambalaya (Cajun)
Crazy One Kiss (Cajun)
Crystal Chandeliers On the Road Again
Dance the Night Away (Play Me Some) Mountain Music
Dinero (Tex-Mex) Queen of Hearts (with Sonja)
Farther Down the Line Rodeo Song
Friends in Low Places Saturday Night (Down at the Twist & Shout)
Gumboot Cloggeroo Tear in My Beer
Hollywood Waltz (Eagles) Wasn’t That A Party?
I Cross My Heart Whiskey For My Men, Beer For My Horses
Rock and R&B
All For You Lost Together
All Summer Long (Medley) Message to You Rudy
Angel / The Joker Midnight Hour
Bang Bang Lulu (Calypso) Montego Bay (Reggae)
Billy Joel Medley Mony, Mony
Black Magic Woman Mustang Sally
Breakin’ Up the House New Orleans is Sinking
Breathe & Time Old Time Rock & Roll
Brown-Eyed Girl One Love / Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Cadillac Baby Pick Up the Pieces (AWB)
Copperhead Road Pink Cadillac
Dancing in the Dark Rasputin
Doin’ It Right Red, Red Wine
Don’t Forget Me When Riverboat Fantasy
I’m Gone (Glass Tiger) Rock & Roll Pt. II
Down In the Boondocks (Reggae) Shout
Down on the Corner 634-5789
Downtown Came Uptown Smooth
Do You Come From A Land Down Under Soul Man
Echo Beach (with Sonja) Spooky
Fire Surely
500 Miles Takin’ Care of Business
Follow Me Tide Is High, The (with Sonja)
Giving It Up For Your Love To Love Somebody (Bee Gees / Blue Rodeo)
Green River / Susie Q Too Loud (BFB)
Heaven (Which Way Is…) Los Lonely Boys Tubthumping
Hell (Swing) Turn the Lights On (Big Sugar)
Honky Tonk Women Turn the Page
Hot, Hot, Hot 24-7 Man
I Ain’t Ever Satisfied Vehicle
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Volcano
I Feel Good (I Got You) Walkin’ On the Sun
I’m a Believer Walking on Sunshine (with Sonja)
Is She Really Going Out With Him? Waterloo (with Sonja)
I Shot the Sheriff Werewolves of London
Just a Gigolo Why Me?
Lady Madonna Wild Night (Is Calling)
Keep Your Hands to Yourself YMCA
Life In A Northern Town Zoot Suit Riot (Swing)
Little Bones