Marv Nissel started his interest in music in 1947 at the age of nine when his grandfather (William Nissel) and his father (Harold Nissel) were playing with the Christy Hengel Band of Wanda, Minnesota. (Christy Hengel was the manufacturer of the Hengel concertina.) Marv played his first dance job on concertina in 1953 at the age of 15. He continued to play until 1961 when he entered the service. After his honorable discharge in 1963, he bought his first Hengel concertina and soon after moved to New Ulm, Minnesota. He played with various bands such as The Slim Kalz Dance Band, Norm Wilke & The Little Fisherman, Fezz Fritsche & The Goosetown Band, Lester Schuft & The Country Dutchmen, and the Cliff Hermel Band. One of Marv's most impressive honors was his performance for Vice President Hubert Humphrey at his campaign dance in Waverly, Minnesota.
In 1976, Marv began teaching concertina. He started with ten students, which quickly grew to over 60 students. Lessons were given weekly and consisted of 30 minutes. Marv had his own method of teaching and wrote his own instruction manual. The manual consisted of all chords for the concertina on both the left and right sides. It also taught the student how to count note values. When teaching, Marv would encourage the student to begin with the left side first; he would then allow the student to add the right side as the student progressed. He would send two new songs with the student each week, and the student was expected to learn both songs by the next lesson. The biggest challenge for students was learning how to play both the right and left sides at the same time. When a student accomplished this, Marv knew he had taught them well. Several of Marv's students went on to play professionally including Art Fenske, who had the Jolly Coppersmith Band, and Marty Nachreiner, who currently plays with Brian Brueggen & The Mississippi Valley Dutchmen.
During this time, Marv, and his wife, Carol, also had MCN Concertina Sales so they could sell concertinas and concertina music not only to Marv's students, but also to the general public. Marv has composed two original songs for the concertina, "The St. George Polka," and "Nissel's Hoolerie." Both compositions can be found on several albums by various artists. Marv has also written over 500 arrangements for the concertina.
In 1978, Marv formed his own band and started traveling the Midwest. When The Marv Nissel Band originated, the band consisted of Marv on concertina, Carol, on piano and vocals, Carol's brother, Larry Olsen, on bass guitar and concertina, and Carol's father, Arnold Olsen, on drums. Two trumpets were added in 1979 because Marv preferred the harmony of two horns. This was the year the band recorded their first album. In 1986, Cliff Hermel, owner and operator of the Gibbon Ballroom in Gibbon, Minnesota, joined the band on drums. In addition, another trumpet player was added to give the band a unique three-way harmony sound.
Marv and Carol involved their two daughters in the band as well. Marv taught Lori how to play the concertina and Carol taught Jodi how to play the piano. As the years went on, Lori and Jodi became more involved in the band. Lori learned the trumpet in school and Cliff Hermel taught Jodi how to play drums. The band was then playing over 175 jobs per year.
The band took on a new twist in 1990 when Lori and Jodi learned how to play the fiddle. Needless to say, this was a great addition to the band. The Marv Nissel Band could now play "country-flavored" polkas and waltzes as well as new popular country favorites. No matter how the band evolved over the years, though, the concertina was always a featured instrument.
In 1992, the band released their first Compact Disc which was the 16th recording for The Marv Nissel Band. The band then consisted of Marv on concertina; Carol on keyboard bass and piano; Lori on trumpet, fiddle, concertina, and drums; and Jodi on drums, alto saxophone, and fiddle. In 1993, Mike Moldan joined the band playing trumpet and drums. Jodi began playing the soprano saxophone in 1996, which added a unique "Hoolerie" style to the band. These musicians continue to travel with the band today. Since 1992, the band has released ten CD's and continues to play approximately 100 jobs per year.
The World Concertina Congress has honored Marv Nissel for his exceptional concertina playing and promotion. Marv has played concertina professionally for over 50 years and performed in 21 states. His precise style of playing is easily recognized in the polka industry.
At almost every dance job, Marv is requested to play the Ellen Polka, which is a concertina solo usually played in the key of D. Even though it is much more difficult to play the song in the key of E, Marv chooses to do so because he thinks that it sounds prettier. The dancers obviously agree because he is told often, "No body plays the Ellen Polka like you do, Marv."
