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Arthur Kubera Obituary
March 5, 1924 – Nov. 19, 2013
Arthur F. Kubera, of Cheektowaga, a musician, band leader and music store owner, died Tuesday after a short illness. He was 89.
Born in Buffalo, he began the accordion at age 8, played in school bands and was a graduate of East High School.
After leading his own bands for several years, Mr. Kubera opened a music store on Fillmore Avenue in 1949 as an accordion studio. At one time, he had more than 300 students. The studio evolved into a full-line musical instrument store, specializing in hard-to-find items.
The store became a mecca for local musicians, and Mr. Kubera abetted many of them by letting them take instruments and equipment on credit as they were launching their careers.
"He was the heart and soul of so many of us," musician Gary White wrote on the Kubera Music Facebook page, "and without him a lot of Buffalo's best musicians would have fallen. No one else in the business would let you walk out the door with [an] amp and let you pay it off later."
His most famous act of kindness involved the fabled jazz organ player Dr. Lonnie Smith.
In need of an instrument for a date early in his career, Smith went to Kubera's Music Store, where he hung around frequently. Mr. Kubera took him to a Hammond B-3 in the back room and told him that if he could move the 425-pound organ, he could have it. Smith did.
Mr. Kubera closed the music store in 1997, but continued to work as the leader of a big band, the Art Kubera Continental Orchestra, and as an accordionist in small combos.
Earlier in his career, he was the leader of the longtime house band at the Polish Village on Broadway and a studio musician on many radio shows.
He received a Special Achievement Award at the Buffalo Music Awards in 1984 and was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
He was a member of St. Gabriel's Church and its Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Professional Businessmen's Association of Buffalo and Local 92, American Federation of Musicians.
He also helped organize the annual Commodores Golf Cruise to Cross Creek Resort in Titusville, Pa.
His wife of 63 years, the former Irene Klawinski, died in 2010.
Survivors include a son, Michael; a daughter, Suzie Kaczorowski; and a brother, Leonard.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Gabriel's Church, 5271 Clinton St., Elma.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Kubera
Bonnie A. Morris
August 25, 2023
I was so lucky to take guitar lessons at his store when I was in high school and then went on to play in different bands. I may even have got my drum set from his store. Played drums in a rock band also. So lucky.
Joan Hoover
November 25, 2013
Art was one of a kind, knew him at least 25 years from his golf trips to Cross Creek Resort in Titusville with the Commodores. Always pleasant and a true gentleman. I personally will miss him, and his hugs and smiles. RIP Art, with you wife and daughter.
Cherishing an opportunity to play the organ with "Uncle Art"!
Joe Mankowski
November 24, 2013
November 24, 2013
I am very sad to hear about the loss of Art Kubera. I bought my first Ludwig drum kit from Art in 1969 when I was 16 and he treated this green kid learning to play with patience and understanding. He was a true icon on the Buffalo music scene and the memories of Art, his store, his quips, and laugh will live on with us.
God Bless Art and his family.
Paul Siwula
November 24, 2013
With heart felt sympathy we send our sincere condolences on the passing of your dear noted love one.
Mr.and Mrs. Steven Sielski
Coleen Hanna
November 22, 2013
Art was just one fine person--you don't find people like him anymore--and will be missed by many.
November 22, 2013
Art was one of a kind, never to busy to help, always had faith in his fellow musicians and customers. he helped me out very much when i was a young man. Art always loved a good sparing partner his quick wit and sense of humor will be missed. deepest sympathy to your family. Mike Kobrin.
Butch Sikorski
November 22, 2013
If it were not for "Art" I would never have learned the magic of music. May he rest in peace.
Jim Moscato
November 22, 2013
Sincere condolances to the family.
Arts influences have been with me from my 1st P-Bass in 1964.Thoughtful, friendly, humorous, kind, wise,trusting,and humble...always willing to provide knowledge and guidance.
Aside from the numerous "favors" Art provided, one stands out. After telling Art our under equipt band was opening for a major British group he instantly said, "Be here Friday afternoon and bring a van"!!!!! WE sounded great!!!!
Leaving the store after purchasing that 1st bass (for way too low a price), Art hit me with my all-time favorite Artism. I said "Goodbye Art". His response was "Of course...Everything in my store is a Good Buy"!!!!
"Goodbye Art"...Thanks for the wisdom and guidance and all of the "Good Buys".
RIP...
Sue and Ray Wardynski
November 22, 2013
We were saddened to read of Art's death and write to extend our sincere sympathy to his family and many close friends. Art will truly be missed by all. May he rest in peace.
Michelle Sloma-Persson
November 22, 2013
Dear Susie and family,
My sympathy goes out to you and your family on the loss of your father. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you!
jerome kania
November 22, 2013
A great teacher develops in students skills that can last a lifetime. One can only imagine the number of Art's students who have enjoyed a rich musical life because of Art's guidance and instruction. God bless him.
Bruce Hamels
November 22, 2013
My condolances to the Kubera famely. Nice man, great busines man. Bought many a guitar, drum set from him in the 70's. Thank you for all the memories he provided.
Richard Moore
November 22, 2013
Sorry for your loss Art was a good friend to all and helped most of us in the music business. I bought many guitars from Art. He is in a better plsce now.
Ed Blodgett
November 22, 2013
So many fond memories of Art from my days in the Buffalo music scene (Coincidentals 1960-1972). My condolences to the family.
Gary Sobolewski
November 21, 2013
I've known Mr. Kubera since the day of my birth. I ran around playing at the Music Store on Fillmore Avenue with Suzie, Mike & Mary since June 2, 1958. My father (Harry Sobolewski) taught trumpet there in his store at the time. Of course I learned & played trumpet as well and even played a couple of “Gigs" with him and my father when they needed a “fill-in” for an event. I was honored to play with Mr. Kubera, the king of the Accordian. My father played trumpet & upright bass so he took the bass position and I took over the horn for the night. They knew songs I've never heard of because of our age difference BUT we pulled it off just great and those jobs we played together were etched in my mind FOREVER. I played with “The King” !!! Then, golf. I've attended the Commadore's cruises with the both of them Mr. Kubera and my father since 1984 until presently and will be there again this next year. It will NEVER be the same without the “King”. Fun nonetheless, but never the same. We will all miss the “King” but we must remember his legacy and keep him in our memories. I will forever, Gary Sobolewski
Endrea Whitbeck(formerly Brzezniak)
November 21, 2013
Mr Kubera was awesome! Bought my guitars and accordion from him! He truly took care of his customers. Sorry for your loss. He was the best!!
Bob Muhlbauer
November 21, 2013
Mr. Kubera will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by many of us old veterans in The Buffalo music community.
Art was a father figure for many of us.
He had a great sense of humor and an equal sense of kindness.
Art let me take a number of instruments, with no credit check and no interest rate, and let me pay weekly, as he wrote down my payments on the recipe card he kept for the transaction.
I would have sooner fallen on my sword than miss a $25 weekly payment to this man who treated me with respect and gave me a chance to show my responsibility.
There are countless musicians in Western New York that are still making music because Art Kubera gave them the same chance.
I know a polka will be playing in Heaven as I raise a glass of toast with my bandmates in remembrance of this fine man who did more for local musicians than he will ever know.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Art's Family.
Bob Muhlbauer
Ozone Rangers Band
Joe Mankowski
November 21, 2013
Art was the, "Best In The Business"! Just a great man with a kind heart. He is responsible for helping so many Buffalo Musicians!
November 21, 2013
Mr. Kubera will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by many of us in The Buffalo music community.
Art was a father figure for many of us. He had a great sense of humor and an equal sense of kindness.
Art let me take a number of instruments, with no credit check and no interest rate, and let me pay weekly, as he wrote down my payments on the recipe card he kept for the transaction.
I would have sooner fallen on my sword than miss a $25 weekly payment to this man who treated me with respect and gave me a chance to show my responsibility.
There are countless musicians in Western New York that are still making music because Art Kubera gave them the same chance.
I know a polka will be playing in Heaven as I raise a glass of toast with my bandmates in remembrance of this fine man who did more for local musicians than he will ever know.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Art's Family.
Bob Muhlbauer
Ozone Rangers Band
Arthur Macdonald
November 21, 2013
The Heaven's a rocking with the crash of the Zildjan's with Art's debut in our Lord's Home. He was a wonderful person to send many of my students for their guitar, amps, keyboards. What ever they need, Art took great care of them.
Today he's in his rightful place leading the rocking musician's who beat him to the sky above as they accompany the Angels in our Lord's Promise Land.
Thank You Art, for taking care of promissing musicians and the "Pro's" during you life on earth. Well Done Faithful Servant.
Lawrence Grisanti
November 21, 2013
Art was one of a kind! I fondly remember my many visits to the music store to purchase keyboards and other musical equipment over the years that he was on Fillmore ave. He would always engage you in interesting conversation and update you on the latest products. May he rest in peace!
John Schmid
November 21, 2013
Dear Susan, Michael & Family,
My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your father. He was a great man and will be missed.
He helped so many local Musicians.
Sister Mary Lorianne Tylczynski, CSSF
November 21, 2013
Dear Susan, Michael & Family,
My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your father. He was a great man and will be missed.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
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Paul A. Kloc Blossom Chapels Inc.4680 Clinton Street, West Seneca, NY 14224
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