Mietek Blues Band

The band was first established in 1976 in the city of Gdansk as a result of a initiative of two local musicians: the guitarist Mietek Wrobel and the vocalist and harmonica player Zbigniew „Oliver” Laski. The first performances were given at the „Medyk” Students’ Club. The interests of the band founders delineated the style of the music performed by the group – „electric blues” namely. In 1997 MBB was twice awarded at Jarocin Festival of Music and in 1980 during their touring in Finland where they gave several concerts. This early stege of the group’s career has left a lot of unforgettable memories from the Thursday night concerts at the „Artema” Students’ Club at the Gdansk Polytechnic. For 31 years of their existence the band has been giving performances at various concerts and well recognised festivals such as: Jarocin Festival of Music, Folk Blues Meeting, Rawa Blues, Blues Top in Sopot, Musical Camping Site i Brodnica, POP Session in Sopot, Zlota Tarka, Jazz Jantar in Gdansk, Jimmyway Blues Festival, Warta Rock Reggae, Summer Jazz Days (introducing the „Yellow Jackets” group). In August 1995 MBB was the sole Polish Band at the European Festival of Arts in Budapest to accompany such stars as: Jeff Healey, Joe Cocker; Jethro Tull; Blood, Sweat and Tears. Five years later in year 2000 during Summer Jazz Days Festival in Gdynia the group was privilleged to perform as a support band before BB King concert in Opera Lesna in Sopot. The first MBB album „Tribute to the Blues” including blues standards arranged anew by the group (with the support of a rythmic section) was released in 1996. The next year was notable for the fact that the band hit the top of the all – Poland radio ranking to be named The Best Blues Band of the Year 1997. It was also when their record reached the second place in „The Record of the Year” ranking. 1998 marked the release of the second album called „Road” to be followed by „Ordinary Words” in 2002. The later includes original soundtracks and lyrics (in Polish). At present MBB are doing promotion of their fourhth album “Radio Sessions” (Metel Minds Production, 2007) including live concert music and radio sessions from 30 years of their existence.