Hojer Trio

Slovenian artists based in Cleveland, Ohio, their name is most commonly seen in its Anglicized form, Hoyer Trio. Matija Arko (Matt Hoyer) and his two half-brothers, Frank Simončič and Ed Simončič, formed an instrumental trio. Frank played banjo (an instrument used by jazz bands) and Ed played chromatic accordion and guitar. Arko used his Slovenian house-name Hojer; the Simončič brothers Anglicized their name to Simms. Calling themselves the Hoyer Trio, they became very popular as they travelled throughout the Midwest playing polka music. They were affiliated with Anton Mervar and were recommended to the Victor label by him. Their first recordings were made acoustically at the November 1924 session in Cleveland. From 1924 until 1929 they made recordings for all three of the major labels—Columbia, Victor, and Okeh. In addition to their own, they accompanied Chicago’s "Adria" Singers on some of their recordings. In all, they released 100 selections. By 1930, the musician’s union was beginning to show its influence in the recording industry. Unwilling to join, Hoyer made no more recordings. Nevertheless, he continued to perform, with different sidemen, into the 1950’s. Besides being musicians, the Simms brothers were professional boxers and Eddie was an actor as well. He had small parts in several motion pictures, usually portraying a boxer or gangster.