Poland’s top jazzman, Jan ‘Ptaszyn’ Wróblewski, celebrates his 75th birthday this week.

Having started his career in 1954 playing the piano and clarinet in student groups, he soon focused on the saxophone.

He is among the pioneers of Polish jazz and one of the household names in what was described by critics as the Polish school of jazz. In the early period of his career,

Jan ‘Ptaszyn’ Wróblewski performed in the quartet led by the pianist Krzysztof Komeda. In 1958 he was engaged to the International Newport Band and was the only jazzman from behind the Iron Curtain to play at the Newport Festival.

He continues to perform and introduce a weekly jazz programme on Polish Radio Three, which has been on the air for four decades.

He has over 30 solo LPs and CDs to his credit. He has also been active as a composer of film music and popular songs. (mk)