Tai #125
Garfield Heights, Ohio

Moorish Band

Tai Moorish Band The Tai Moorish Band plays at events involving the Mentally Handicapped and Impaired.
They have been the beat of the Caravan over many years. 

Left to Right: Norm Vopat (Accordion), Ray Hritz (Drum), Chet Kaye (Horn), Ray Mankowski (Horn), Bob Wolf (Drum), Henry Sybo (Horn), Mario Stefanini (horn)
These dedicated Sir Nobles have given of themselves for many hours, practicing and playing at several events during the years.

Left to Right: Art Sulkowski (Bass Drum), John Kickham (Bells), Allan cole (Bells), PRD Joseph Svoboda (Drum), Len Samerdyk (Cymbals) 		Tai Moorish Band

They play every year for Mahdi Caravan, and Friends &  Parents Christmas Parties held for the Mentally Handicapped and Impaired. 

Robert Wolf & Joey Skender The entertainment is enjoyed by all in attendance.

  PRD & PGC Robert Wolf of Tai Caravan greeting Joey Skender. Joey is the son of Sir Noble Joe Skender and Sultana Sherry. Joe and Sherry are members of Tai Caravan. Joey's Grandfather Jerry Moskaluk and Grandmother Carol are also members of Tai Caravan. Jerry is last Past Grand Commander of Tai Caravan.



1997-98 Grand Commander Rich Renz presenting a check to Wanda Schmidt, President of Friends and Parents, Garfield Heights, Ohio. 		Rich Renz presenting & Wanda Schmidt

HISTORY BEHIND THE BEAT

Convention Parade The Tai Moorish Band of the Alhambra was formed in the 1970's and is made up entirely of members of Tai Caravan. The original leader of this band was Sir Noble Henry Katell.

Only a few members of the band knew how to play an instrument, other members had to learn as they had never played before, nor could read music. The band started with approximately ten members and by the late 90's increased to over 25 members including flag and banner bearers.

Convention Parade At first, they played at the Alhambra conventions throughout the USA. As they grew, so did the activities. They played parades in the rural communities of Cleveland to promote The Order of the Alhambra. They then received invitations from the Garfield Friends and Parents of Retarded Children, Friends Forever, Broadview Center, Hattie Larham of Mantua, Pannadale, the Cleveland Zoo and many functions of other Caravans. In some of these affairs, they were joined with the Candy Men of Mahdi Caravan #142 and the Clowns of Carmona Caravan #75.

As the years have passed, so have some of the band members; they now number eleven. Although they are few their performing has not ceased. They do not play at many affairs, but starting in the Fall of each year, they start their practice sessions to prepare for the holiday season when they play for those that are mentally handicapped and impaired.
Band at Friends and Parents Tai Moorish Band plays at Friends and Parents

Friends Forever Christmas Party, 1993 Band at Friends Forever

The following Sir Nobles are or have
been members of Tai Moorish Band:

Allan Cole
+Joseph Fink
Chet Kaye
+Henry Katell
John Kickham
*Ted Holtz
Ray Hritz
John Konkowski
+Raymond Kucia
*John Lisowski
+Norbert Link
+James McDowell
William Moskaluk
Ray Makowski
+Stan Makowski
+Joe Posanti
+Philip Przybysz
Lucian Przybysz
Richard Renz
Leonard Samerdyke
*Frank Sever
+Marcel Sledz
+Henry Stankiewicz
Mario Stefanini
Richard Sulkowski
Art Sulkowski
Joseph Svoboda
Henry Sybo
*Paul Unger
Chester Trzaska
+Stephen Walas
John Wilczenski
Robert Wolf

+ (Deceased)
* (Left the Caravan)

The above members, some who have passed to another world or left the Caravan, put in many hours learning to play special types of instruments. Their time was well rewarded from the smiling of those children that they played for, May God bless them for the outstanding work they did.

Broadview Developmental Center

Alhambra Visits Broadview Heights Developmental Center
(By Deborah Edwards)

Tai Caravan sent their band of twenty-five member volunteers to visit the residents of Broadview Developmental Center around the late 1980's. The band members were dressed as sultans in brightly colored silk pants, blowsy shirts, and Fez with letters printed in glitter. They had five members playing what they called Moorish horns. (They are large wooden horns with three holes that are difficult to blow into and create an ear piercing sound.) There were also five drum players with drums in all sizes,, cymbals, tambourines, and xylophone. The instruments combined with the talent of the musicians made a loud, exhilarating half-on half-off beat sound that could not be imagined but which suited their outfits perfectly.

In addition, the Mahdi Caravan sent six of their candymen (clowns) which added to the festive mood of the group with their bright clown costumes, wigs and made-up faces. They raced around the room blowing up balloons, which they quickly shaped into magical little balloon creatures and handed to the residents along with big fat candycanes.

Richard Sulkowski is the Past Grand Commander of the group and was the bandleader at the time. The band Manager Steve Walas now deceased was also present.

The present band Manager is PGC Robert Wolf.

Thank You Card
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