Thomas Allen Wanderlich

Thomas “Tommy” Allen Wanderlich was born in Buffalo, NY on March 12th, 1966. He began his musical career by starting out with the drums at the age of four or five. At that time, his brothers Sonny (trumpet) and Johnny (accordion) were already playing alongside their father, Richard Sr., who also played accordion and trumpet. As there were always instruments lying around the house, Tommy would pick up and try anything and everything, first playing around on the drum set that their father had bought for brother Sonny.

Early on, Tommy’s mother, Veronica, took all three Wanderlich boys to local events Richard Sr. would play in Buffalo. At that same time, Johnny and Sonny formed their own three-piece band, The Young Lads, where their father sternly watched and listened to make sure his boys were playing their parts right. Needless to say, Tommy’s polka influence started at home.

Once Tommy’s parents exposed him to the events happening locally in Buffalo, he was hooked and could not wait to see LIVE music. When he was eight years old, The G-Notes “Saxarinet Polka” came out on record (1974). After seeing the G-Notes live, Tommy knew that he wanted to play the sax. Two weeks later, he had his first alto sax. After playing for his Uncle Julius, who also played the sax, he was told he was a natural. Tommy took no saxophone lessons. Brother Johnny was a guiding light in providing records to play with and would correct him when he was not playing the right notes.

At 11 years of age, Tommy’s father bought him a tenor sax. Still pretty small, he could not reach the lower notes quite yet. No lessons of course, Tommy learned by ear while playing with the G-Notes recordings. At age 13, Tommy’s father bought him a clarinet and took lessons from one of the legendary Dynatones, Roger Nowaczyk who told Tommy’s parents that he did not need lessons, just needed to work on tone and technique (after one lesson). At age 16, he bought his first concertina and was guided by brother Johnny. Tommy started playing live music around the age of 15.

Tommy’s influences are many, starting with his father, who was tough as nails, a great horn player, strict, demanding, but also caring. Tommy classifies Johnny Karas as the best sax player ever in the business, and from Buffalo to boot! Of course, there is Lenny Gomulka. After hearing Lenny record “Pretty Mary Ann” on Polka Cruise with the Versatones in 1979, Tommy’s jaw hit the floor. From a concertina standpoint, Tommy takes pride in ‘borrowing’ licks and style from Scrubby. In 1982, Tommy met the late and great, Paul Fudalla. Talented, aggressive, with timing that was impeccable. A gifted musician for sure, along with Pete Dardzinski, Lenny Maynard, and Jerry Darlak (a master of the ‘off chords’ that Tommy learned).

Tommy has been a huge influence on many musicians in the polka field, specifically the younger generation. In 2020, he asked Sebastian Pucowski (then 16 years old/bass player with The Beat) to record a Christmas tune with his wife Felicia, “When Christmas Comes to Town”. Not only did Tommy engineer that project, but he also put the music behind it. Through that experience, Sebastian relayed that Tommy is known for his ability to take a non-polka song and arrange it in an inventive and eye-opening way. Tommy teaches music through his playing as he creates unique music by just letting his mind take him where he wants the song to go. An example of that is his arrangement of the Phil Collins song, “Follow Me” that he recorded with John Gora and Gorale. Tommy is known for the tasteful infliction behind his playing with every note. Each note is played with purpose, and never played the same way twice.

Tommy moved to Goodyear, Arizona on 11/11/2016. He married his longtime love Felicia Anne DeKarski in September 2018 and became the greatest Stepfather to Mason and Carter. Tommy and Felicia together had an internet show, Hear We Go, which was heard on both Polish New Castle Radio and the Polka Jammer Network. They have also produced several musical projects together.

Tommy sadly passed away on 06/16/2026 at the young age of 60. He will be remembered eternally for his friendship, his love for music, his love for astrology, his humor, and most importantly, his love for Felicia, Mason, and Carter. His legacy will live on through the hearts of many.