About
Biography
Early Career and Breakthrough
Ivan & Delfin was a Polish pop band formed in 2002 in Warsaw by musicians Wojciech Olszewski and Łukasz Lazer. The group was a trio with Russian-born singer Ivan Komarenko as the lead vocalist. Ivan Komarenko’s Russian roots and the band’s folk-inspired melodies made them stand out in the Polish pop scene of the mid-2000s. In 2003, Ivan & Delfin released their first single, Matczyna pieśń na dobranoc. They gained national fame in 2004 with the song “Jej czarne oczy”, which became a big hit in Poland (even topping Polish music charts that year). Their debut album Ivan i Delfin was released that year and included this popular song. Towards the end of 2004, the band also released another single, “Sto lat (niech żyje miłość)”, expanding their repertoire.
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
In early 2005, Ivan & Delfin was chosen to represent Poland at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. They entered the competition with the energetic folk-pop song “Czarna dziewczyna”. The song mixed Polish and Russian lyrics, reflecting Ivan’s heritage. Poland finished 11th in that semi-final with 81 points, just four points short of qualifying for the final. The contest was very competitive, and missing the final by such a narrow margin was a bittersweet outcome for the group.
Later Years and Break-up
After Eurovision, Ivan & Delfin continued their musical activities. They released their second studio album, Dwa żywioły, in 2006. However, internal conflicts began to surface within the trio. In February 2007, Ivan Komarenko left the band to focus on his solo career. Soon after, the group officially disbanded.
The remaining members, Lazer and Olszewski, carried on for a while by bringing in a new singer, Joanna “Aisha” Czarnecka, and rebranding as Aisha & Delfin. This new formation released a couple of songs before evolving into a different project. By 2008, the band members were performing under the name Energy, and in 2010 they eventually formed the pop-rock band Red Lips.
Meanwhile, Ivan Komarenko pursued various opportunities as a solo entertainer. He was also a familiar face on television, making guest appearances on popular programs and even playing a small role in a Polish soap opera during that time. In 2007, he took part in the Polish edition of Dancing with the Stars (Taniec z gwiazdami), where he finished as the runner-up. He continued to record music and in 2010 released a solo album titled Tango Saute. Notably, Ivan Komarenko became a Polish citizen in 2010. To this day, he remains active in music and media.
