Kazimierz B. Zajac (Zan)
Opera singer, executive
Born Jan. 1, 1919, Warsaw, Poland; came to U.S., 1954; son of Bronislaw and Marianna (Kuklewicz); married Teodora (Kanigowska); child: Krystyna.
Education: diploma, London College of Music (United Kingdom), 1953; singing lessons from prof. Joseph Hislop, 1952-53, and Riccardo Stracciari, Rome (Italy), 1954.
Career: soloist, F. Chopin Polish Army Choir, London, 1949-54; opera singer, Valbrook Grand Opera (United Kingdom); singer, Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, New York City, and numerous concerts in United States; manager, CZAS Publishing Company, Brooklyn (NY), 1961-75, PEKAO Trading Corporation, New York City, 1975-88; Retired.
Author: soloist in: W. A. Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro, Mascagni, Cavalleria Rusticana, Leoncavallo, Pagliacci, S. Moniuszko, Verbum Nobile, K. Dmuszewski, Szkoda Wasow; 2 records with Polish Christmas Songs, 1957, 1990.
Member of: Union of Polish Stage Artists Abroad, 1953-61; director, Polish National Alliance (P.N.A.), Brooklyn, 1982-94; Polish Veterans of World War II - Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow (S.P.K.); Pilsudski Institute of America.
Honors: grant, Committee for Education of Poles in United Kingdom, 1950-53; military award, i.a.: September '39 Campaign Medal, Cross of Gallant, Silver Cross of Merit with Swords, Monte Cassino Cross, Polish Army Medal (2 times), Polish Government in Exile, London.
Served with: Polish Army, Cadet Officers School, 1938-39; September '39 Campaign; internee, Lithuania, U.S.S.R., 1939-41; Polish Army in U.S.S.R., 1941; Polish Armed Forces in the Middle East, Italian Campaign, 2nd Corps, captain, 1941-45; promoted to major.
Affiliation: Roman Catholic.
Languages: Polish, English.
Hobby: philately.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.