Mike Kobluk

Best known as a founding member of The Chad Mitchell Trio, Mike Kobluk (born December 10, 1937, in Trail, British Columbia, Canada) sang alongside Chad Mitchell (2) and Mike Pugh at University of Gonzaga gatherings in their 1959-1960 academic year, during the group’s informal start in the summer of 1960, and on several trio albums and tours through 1968, when he left the group.

Following his time with the trio, Mike went on to co-found American Theater Productions, New York, which booked Broadway shows that toured the United States. In the early 1970s, he and his family returned to Spokane, WA, where he went to work for Expo ’74, the world’s fair officially known as the International Exposition on the Environment, Spokane 1974. He served as its director of performing and visual arts. After the fair, he was hired by the City of Spokane to manage its new opera house and other entertainment venues. He did that for nearly three decades, retiring in 2003.

Six vocalists appeared in the trio during its primary performance and recording period, 1960-1969. They would periodically re-form for an event or short tours. Kobluk was among those who performed in The Chad Mitchell Trio’s final concert on Nov. 14, 2014.