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 heavyweight 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.
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. In October 2011 he formed his own Gypsy group “PARNO DROM” focusing on Eastern European Romani (Gypsy) style music.
Bob 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 performed also with the “King of Csárdás”, violin virtuoso, Miklosz Deki Czureja during his concerts in Europe.
Bob is a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada SOCAN
