Jarek Smietana

b. Jaroslaw Smietana, 29 March 1953, Kraców, Poland. Originally known by his birth name, Smietana studied jazz guitar formally while playing as a professional musician. By the mid-70s he was well known in his homeland as the leader of the popular jazz rock band Extra Ball. His reputation spread thanks to a succession of appearances at international festivals including some dates in the USA. In the middle of the following decade Smietana had shifted the balance towards jazz although he continued to use elements of rock in his performances. He was also now experimenting with lar...