Stan Borys celebrated two milestones, his 85th birthday and 65 years of artistic work, at a tribute concert held Oct. 10 at the Polish & Slavic Center in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint. There were reminiscences, archival recordings and photos, the artist’s hits in both their original versions and new performances, and poems recited by young people. The evening had an extraordinary atmosphere, created by the performers, the audience, and the honoree and his friends.
***
It had been a long time since Greenpoint saw such a beautiful concert, combined with an exhibition of archival photographs, a presentation of rare recordings from festivals and concerts, and personal recollections from Stan Borys’s friends. Speaking about the artist were Rafał Olbiński, Dr. Henryk Cioczek, singer Margaret Maye, the artist’s manager and partner Anna Maleady, and the concert’s host, Mieczysław Mietko Rudek. The distinguished honoree also told stories, especially about some of his hits. There were also congratulations and readings of letters sent to the artist for the occasion by Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz, Krzysztof Szczerski, Poland’s ambassador to the United Nations, and the Board of Directors of the Polish & Slavic Center.
The most important part of this special evening, however, was the performances by artists singing Stan Borys’s hits and reciting his poetry. There were also congratulations, flowers, a delicious cake and a hearty “Sto lat” (the traditional Polish “May you live a hundred years”) sung by all the performers together with an audience that filled the hall to the last seat. For the honoree, it was a very moving evening. “I am very impressed by all the performances. Both established and young artists beautifully sang and recited my poems in Polish and English, which I enjoyed enormously. Many people who came afterward for autographs on records told me that nothing like this had ever happened at the Polish & Slavic Center. Thank you very much to all the artists and to my beloved Ania, who prepared the beautiful exhibition and the stage decorations and watched over everything. I also thank my friends and the audience, who turned out in great numbers for my tribute concert,” Stan Borys told Nowy Dziennik. “I am enormously moved by all of it,” the artist added.
IN HONOR OF THE JUBILARIAN
Artists who took up his hits and poems paid musical and poetic tribute to Stan Borys. Their repertoire included both his biggest hits and lesser-known songs that he performed early in his career with the band Blackout and the group Bizony. The anniversary concert opened with a performance by Małgorzata Staniszewska, also known as Margo S., who sang a jazz version of his hit “Coraz to z ciebie jako z drzazgi smolnej.” That version appears on her debut album “Ashes and Diamonds,” which last year won the Best Jazz Album award from the World Entertainment Awards. Later in the evening she also performed the hit “Kochać i tracić,” setting a special mood for the audience. Another artist to take the stage was Krystyna Tyszkiewicz, who presented the song “Zostań tam, gdzie ja” from the early period of Stan Borys’s career, when he worked with Bizony. The younger generation of artists was represented by, among others, Ania Florek, who beautifully sang and staged “Żeby uciec trzeba mgły,” a song Stan Borys recorded with Blackout, and later in the evening one of his biggest hits, “Dziś prawdziwych cyganów już nie ma.” Another song, “Nie pójdę za Tobą,” which the honoree made popular with Blackout, was performed by Monika Chibowska, who also sang it beautifully. Dagmara Czechura, also known as Daga, put on a real show, inviting bassist Krzysztof Bućko to join her for the hit “Spacer dziką plażą.” Together with the audience, which sang the backing vocals, the well-known “La la la la,” just as the Polish vocal group Alibabki once did, they delivered a very energetic version of the big hit. Margaret Maye, who flew in from Canada for the tribute concert, brought a romantic mood. The audience heard her perform “Ballada o dwóch siostrach.” The artist also sang one of Edith Piaf’s love songs, dedicating it to Stan Borys and his beloved Ania. After this French touch, soprano Patrycja Posłuszna appeared on stage in a black dress and gave a superb interpretation of “Jaskółka uwięziona,” showing off her beautiful, powerful voice. The same was true of baritone Wojciech Bonarowski, who beautifully sang the hit “Zmęczony burz szaleństwem.” The concert ended with a joint performance by Małgorzata Staniszewska and Jakub Polaczyk, who presented his song “Piosenka na benefis Stana,” composed with the distinguished honoree in mind. The concert also included a presentation of Stan Borys’s poetry. Poems from his volume “Daleko donikąd” were recited by Gabriella Robert, Lukas Robert and Maxwell Officer.
CONGRATULATORY LETTERS
Congratulatory letters were also sent to the artist in connection with the tribute concert. Among those who passed on greetings to the honoree was Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz, who could not attend the Polish & Slavic Center in person. His letter was read by Vice Consul Anna Bzańska. In it, the consul general expressed gratitude for Stan Borys’s many years of work with the Polish diaspora community in the United States and for his steadfast commitment to promoting and nurturing Polish culture. “Your work, your attachment to your native language and your artistic activity have for years been a reminder of how important it is to preserve Polish identity and ties with the homeland, regardless of where we happen to live. Particular recognition is due for the many initiatives you have undertaken for the younger generation, including teaching young people Polish poetry, cooperating with the Polish & Slavic Center and holding regular concerts featuring students of Polish diaspora schools,” Mateusz Sakowicz said. The consul general added that Stan Borys’s work is an important part of the cultural life of Polonia, the Polish diaspora, and a beautiful testimony to his attachment to Polish culture and tradition. Special congratulations were also sent by Krzysztof Szczerski, Poland’s ambassador to the United Nations. His letter was read by Bożena Konkiel, secretary of the Polish & Slavic Center’s Board of Directors. The ambassador stressed in it that Stan Borys’s work is marked by a unique voice, extraordinary sensitivity, interpretive mastery and depth of poetry. “I find it especially telling that in emigration you became an unwavering ambassador of Polish poetry and the Polish word. In difficult times, far from the homeland, through your recitals and shows, including the memorable project devoted to Cyprian Kamil Norwid, you built a spiritual refuge for your countrymen,” the diplomat said. Krzysztof Szczerski added that, through his wide-ranging artistic activity, the distinguished honoree actively supports the integration of emigré communities, making sure that Polish identity, tradition and sensibility become a lasting part of the lives of successive generations of Poles living outside Poland. The third congratulatory letter presented at the tribute concert came from the Board of Directors of the Polish & Slavic Center. It was read by the center’s executive director, Agnieszka Granatowska. In offering congratulations, she also expressed joy that this special double anniversary was taking place in their concert hall in Greenpoint. “It is above all an expression of gratitude for 65 years of music, emotion, poetry and artistic independence. It is our shared thank-you to an artist who has left a lasting mark on the history of Polish culture,” Agnieszka Granatowska added.
STORIES FROM FRIENDS
The tribute concert could not be without reminiscences and anecdotes about the doyen of music in the Polish diaspora and distinguished honoree. His friends told stories about Stan Borys. Among them was the well-known painter and graphic artist Rafał Olbiński, who came from Warsaw for the special occasion. With considerable wit, he spoke about his longtime acquaintance with the honoree and about a record he bought in his youth, on which Stan Borys then signed his autograph. Unfortunately, because he was short of money, he later had to sell it, but he did so at a large profit, to which Stan Borys’s signature contributed. The well-known physician, activist and philanthropist Dr. Henryk Cioczek also spoke humorously about him. He recalled their longtime friendship, as well as Stan Borys’s visit to his home, where he keeps a large art collection. Thanks to that, he said, he learned that besides being a great singer and poet, Borys is also interested in art and even draws himself, as shown by a self-portrait he created for one of his first albums. Margaret Maye, who flew in from Toronto for the tribute concert, also spoke very warmly about the distinguished honoree and their friendship. The concert’s host, Mieczysław Mietko Rudek, joined in the stories about the evening’s main figure, recalling among other things Stan Borys’s achievements and artistic output. In addition, Ania Maleady described how the two met in Florida and her fascination with his music. During these reminiscences, the artist himself could not be left out. He explained, among other things, the origins of and circumstances behind some of his biggest hits, such as “Jaskółka uwięziona,” “Dziś prawdziwych cyganów już nie ma” and “Anna.” Of course, there are many more of his gems that have entered the canon of Polish pop music. Rafał Olbiński summed up Stan Borys’s artistic career perfectly, calling him “a national treasure of Poland.”
Text and photos: Wojtek Maślanka
Source: Nowy Dziennik