Polish born Robert Kozak discovered his passion for music at the age of nine. His childhood music professor, Wojciech Dudzik, introduced him to the accordion and helped him master the playing.
He focused and trained in music for several years throughout his schooling, and joined a polish folk dance group at that time.
During his education at the Marine Academy in Poland, his popularity as a musician grew as he performed with his instrumental band during numerous dance events.
On the local front, he has been featured playing solo accordion at the Il Corsaro Italian Restaurant in the late 1980’s. Diverse in his talents, he instructed others in Latin dance during this period.
Having completed training for a black belt in martial arts, Bob has organized security for the heavy weight boxer Muhammad Ali during his visit to Vancouver in 1998.
Ever active, he has joined the Vancouver based Polish folk dance group, Polonez.
In 2004 Bob started his own band, Jambalaya, and to this day, together with his band members, he create some beautiful, compelling music for the enjoyment of a multicultural population in the lower Mainland.
From 2009 – 2011 Bob was a music director, accordionist and vocalist in the ROMANE Gypsy Troupe, with a focus on Russian Gypsy music and dance.The mournful sounds and colorful costumes entertain many audiences locally.
In October 2011 he formed his own Gypsy group “PARNO DROM” focusing on Eastern European Gypsy style music.
Bob have performed with the most prominent and renowned Russian Roma (Gypsy) 7-string guitar virtuoso in the world, Vadim Kolpakov, who traveled and performed with Madonna on her past world tour in 2008. He have also performed with the “King of Csárdás”, violin virtuoso, Miklosz Deki Czureja during his concerts in Eurpe. On various occasions he have performed as well with the jazz musician and fantastic percussionist, Arni May, who as a teenager in 1957 backed up Elvis Presley with his orchestra in Ottawa.
Some of his compositions like “Brazil is in my heart” from the album “Summer reflections” was played on the radio stations in Europe and North America.
Bob is a Member of Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and a member of World Artists Initiative “Khetanes”