Stéphane Stéphane Stéphane Stéphane KUBIAK KUBIAK KUBIAK KUBIAK

Stéphane Kubiak born on the 20^th of August 1929 in Liévin. Very young, he studied solfeggio and started to play accordéon on 1938.
At the age of 14^th, when the France was occupied, he plays every day in a pub in the Station street in Lens called " Chez Oscar ". It’s an hutting which is called Metropole Hotel. On sundays, his brother Casimir (who was 10 years old at that time) joins him on drums. In 1948, he creates a small band of 5 musicians and plays every sundays at " Stanis ", in Oiselet Street.

In 1951 ( when he came back from his military engagement), he creates a band of 6 musicians which plays during 5 years in a place called " FAMILIA ", in the Béthune street.

In 1953, he married with the pianist of the orchestra : Hélène SELOWAJSKI.

IN 1956, he buys the " Stanis " place and calls it " Le GAITY ". Many works were done to transform the place in 1972 and 1974 and give more comfort.

In the band, his brother Casimir is still playing trumpet and guitar. His wife Hélène is on piano. And his elderly son Hervé deals with technics. His daughter Catherine sings, while his younger son Christian is on bass, and later on keyboards and bandoneon.

An important year : 1957, when the company " BARCLAY " proposed him to record his Polish songs. An agreement is signed, it will last 28 years, during which he records about 40 singles, and also 40 LP’s.

17 CD are added to this previous collection.

In the 60’s, an american company called " PETERS INTERNATIONAL " distributes his records in the United-States.

But Music changes, new rythms appear. It’s necessary to call in question again, as well as improve the performance of the band, and engage musicians who have a good level.

In 1987, the band includes 15 elements : 3 trumpets, 2 trumbones, 3 saxs-clarinets, piano, guitar, bass, keyboards, 3 women singers (including Catherine Kubiak). The brother Casimir is still playing guitar and trumpet. Hélène is on piano, the son Christian on bass, keyboards and bandoneon.

The tangos are played by 4 bandoneons, 4 violins, piano, bass and singers.

From 1988, the GAITY is run by the children. Stéphane is still in the band, and retires on the 1^st january 1991.