Urszula Dudziak (b. 1943)

Jazz vocalist; gifted with a remarkable five octave vocal range, Dudziak employs electronic devices to extend still further the possibilities of her voice; she worked with leading contemporary musicians and was a member of the Vocal Summit group, with Jay Clayton, Jeanne Lee, Bobby McFerrin, Norma Winstone, Sting, Michelle Hendricks, and Lauren Newton; her 1970s song Papaya gained widespread popularity in Asia and Latin America in 2007.

From: "400 Years of Polish Immigrants in America 1608-2008" ed. by Mariusz M. Brymora, Washington, DC, 2008

URSZULA DUDZIAK TO STAR IN WARSAW CABARET FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1996 AT KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION HOUSE

Renowned Polish singer Urszula Dudziak performed at the Kosciuszko Foundation on Friday, September 20, 1996 in a special benefit performance in support of the Cultural Affairs Program. This was a special "Warsaw Cabaret" evening, presented in conjunction with the WARSAW 400 exhibit, celebrating the city's fourth century as Poland's capital. Ronald and Mary Melnyk were co-chairs for the event.

Launching her professional career in Poland at the age of 15, Dudziak soon became widely popular at home and throughout Europe. Her arrival in New York in 1973 opened a new chapter in her musical career. She toured the United States and Canada, performing at the Newport Jazz Festival and Carnegie Hall. She has been featured as a major recording artist on over 50 albums. Jazz Forum and Down Beat magazines both devoted cover stories to her, and in 1979 she was named Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year. Her pioneering work in electronic music composition won her a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1985, for creating an Electronic Jazz Choir.

She has appeared at the Warsaw Jazz Jamboree (with Bobby McFerrin), opened for the 1990 Miles Davis Tour in Germany and took part in the 1992 European Jazz Night, the same year she ranked just behind the late Ella Fitzgerald in Down Beat magazine's reader's Poll. More recently, she appeared with Laurie Anderson at Town Hall, and finished a 40-concert tour of Europe. She has generously contributed part of her performance fee to make this benefit event possible.

Her appearance on September 20 followed a "Warsaw style" buffet, with delicacies drawn from the city's sophisticated cuisine. The guests, limited to 60, enjoyed the elegant candle-lit atmosphere of the Gallery and its art treasures, while proceeds went to support the Foundation's Cultural Affairs Program.

From: An American Center for Polish Culture, The Kosciuszko Foundation, 1996