Beer-stein holding, Gelän de quaffing and silly, upbeat polka tunes are all common sights and sounds of Jackson’s Oktoberfest, honoring the centuries-old German festival of imbibing and merriment. Peter Chandler serves as a Swiss Army knife frontman, “Polka Pete,” for the event’s soundtrack: the Hof Band. Chandler also leads the iconic Tram Jam, his own jazz quartet and the reggae group “Baldy Dread.”
“[Polka music is] all about having a good time and partying and dancing and having fun,” said the prolific band leader.
Chandler moved to Jackson in 1978 and picked up music to “complement his skiing career.” After a hiatus to attend graduate school at Harvard, he returned to the area permanently in 1993. Chandler seeks out a diversity of musical projects and has probably played more gigs in the valley than anyone else, perhaps with the exception of the legendary skier Bill Briggs.
The Hof Band started as a means to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort by playing a one-off performance at the Alpenhof Lodge. One wild weekend turned into a weekly gig at Teton Village’s authentic German restaurant and bar.
Saxophonist Jay Wright compared their polka band to the Backstreet Boys in the sense that they were assembled like a stereotypical boy band: to go out and give the people a show.
Other members of the Hof Band include Laura Wanick on accordion and violin, Ron Maaseen on tuba, Jacob Gampe on drums, Jason Fritts on saxophone, and Powell Miller on trumpet. Their love for beer and music ultimately kept them all coming back.
“A secret dream I always had was to play tuba and a polka band into my dying years,” said Maassen, a 38-year valley resident.
In addition to being avid players, they’re all busy elsewhere around town participating in what the band referred to as the “Jackson Hole Shuffle,” where if you don’t work at least three jobs you’re either “cold, or you’re hungry.”
Thankfully, beer and pierogies are good at fixing both.
Both Germany and Jackson’s festivities start soon and end on the first Sunday in October, primarily to take advantage of the warmer weather.
More opportunities to catch the Hof Band around town and celebrate:
Friday, Sept. 25 – “Elkstoberfest” at the Elk’s Club from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – “Oktoberfest” at Teton Village from 12-6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27 – “Oktoberfest” at Teton Village from 2-6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2 – “Hoftoberfest” at Hoff’s Bikesmith from 4-8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – “Oktoberfest” at Snake River Brew Pub from 4-8 p.m.
Listen above for KHOL’s full conversation and live performance with the Hof Band.
Support for this arts and cultural coverage comes from the Wyoming Arts Council.
