(Polski)

Stan Breckenridge is an American singer, soul and jazz pianist, composer, and author. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, USA. He is the 2019 Recipient of Poland’s Amicus Poloniae Award (“Friend of Poland”), which is given annually to American citizens who have advanced Polish-American relations. Most recently he and others such as Renee Fleming, Philip Glass, Maya Angelou, John Lithgow, Aaron Copeland, John Steinbeck, are identified as 23 prominent “Fulbright alumni making a lasting impact through visual and performing arts, literature, music, and more.” (https://fulbrightprogram.org/fulbright-creating-and-connecting-through-the-arts/)

Stan Breckenridge has performed and given lecture-performances worldwide in places such as Dubai, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Slovakia, and the Ukraine. United States performances include The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Greek Theater, The Los Angeles Forum, The Los Angeles Sports Arena, The Hollywood Bowl, The Watts Summer Festival, Capitol Records, and on various national TV programs. Stan Breckenridge has appeared with and/or performed for personalities such as Madeleine Albright, Bill Cosby, Mahalia Jackson, Jerry Lewis, Martha Reeves (of the Vandellas), Larry McCormick, Greg Morris, Rowan and Martin, David Ruffin (of the Temptations), Nancy Sinatra, John Travolta, John Wayne, and many others.

Some noteworthy performances include being a featured American performer for Expo 2020 (which actually occurred from October 2021 through March 2022) in February 2022 in Dubai; two appearances with Basia Gąsienica Giewont on Dzień Dobry TVN (November 2020 and February 2021); four appearances on Jaka to Melodia, both of which are popular programs in Poland; an appearance for WOŚP – Poland’s largest charity organization for pediatric and elderly care; and a feature performance for the Polish-American Military Picnic titled “Always close by, Safe together”, organized on the occasion of the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump; U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Kraków hosted by, on different occasions, U.S. Ambassador’s to the Polish Republic the Honorables Paul W. Jones, Stephen D. Mull, and Lee A. Feinstein; and a celebratory occasion for my selection as the 2019 Recipient of Poland’s Amicus Poloniae Award hosted by the Honorable U.S. Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher to the Polish Republic, and bestowed on me by the Honorable Polish Republic Ambassador to the U.S. Piotr Wilczek.

A new solo single titled “What’s Going On-Co Się Dzieje” is set for release in June 2022. In February 2021, Stan Breckenridge and Basia Gąsienica Giewont recorded a song written by Breckenridge titled “Loving You.” It premiered on Dzień Dobry TVN February 18^th. Also in 2021, an album titled Polish Songs developed by Józef Eliasz and the Eljazz Big Band, features Stan Breckenridge singing popular songs, in English, composed by beloved Polish composers. In 2020, Stan Breckenridge and Basia Gąsienica Giewont recorded their version of the popular song “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” That same year Stan Breckenridge composed and released seven singles that reflect the year of COVID-19. These include “Nostalgia,” “The Battle: Race Against Time,” “It Changed My Life,” “A Night in Vienna,” “Waterfall No.2,” “Eternal Hope,” and “Ready to Play.” In 2020 composed and recorded a piece titled “A New Beginning”, that commemorated the First Inauguration of the Schools of Language and Literature Sciences at the University of Adam Mickiewicz, Poznań. Stan Breckenridge has eleven albums: Stan Breckenridge Performs Jazz, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, and Soul (April 15, 2019), Black and Tan Fantasy (2017 with Jazz Band Ball Orchestra), Inspirations (2014), Out of Love for Jazz (2012), Reflections (2009), A soulful Christmas (2008), This is My Song (2007), Live in Poland (2005), Solo (2003), Meditations (2001), and Expositions (1999).

In addition to performance, Dr. Breckenridge is a visiting Professor in the Faculty of English at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and at the University of Marie Curie Skłodowskiej in Lublin, both in Poland. Prior to this he was the Department Chair of African American Studies at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Breckenridge was selected as a United States Distinguished Chair Fulbright  Scholar to Poland for the 2012–2013 and 2013-2014, where he taught at the University of Marie Curie Skłodowska in Lublin, and Jagiellonian University in Kraków, respectively. He also served as a Fulbright  Scholar to Poland in 2005. Dr. Breckenridge has authored four university-level textbooks: OnAfrican American Music (2021): Music Taste or Waste: Critical Listening Skills for Students, Teachers, and Parents (3rd edition, 2018); Popular Music in America: Forging the American Spirit (3rd edition, 2015); and African American Music for Everyone: Including Theater, Film and Dance (3rd edition, 2014).