My Ordinary Polish Family

Originally presented September 4, 2019 at the Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater at the San Francisco War Memorial thanks to a grant by Taube Philanthropies

The Story

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The Artists

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The Music

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The Story In 1942, 18-year-old, August Paszkudzki, contacted his classmate, Renata Stam, to hide her in their house. Renata’s mother and sister had been seized several weeks before and expelled to the Janowska camp. Her father perished in the Jewish ghetto not long after. August’s family registered Renata as domestic help under the false name of Zuzanna Karolina Gruszka. She did not leave their house until the 1944 liberation of Lwów.

The Paszkudzkis hid eight Jews throughout the War. The Paszkudzkis were in danger not only because of the help they were giving to Jews, but also because of August’s activities in the underground.

After the liberation, August and Renata married and remained together until August’s death in 1987. In 2005, Yad Vashem recognized August Paszkudzki and his mother Leonarda Paszkudzka, as “Righteous Among the Nations.”

Similar to August Paszkudzki’s daring nonconformity during the war, jazz continues to be an art form that challenges convention.

So what better medium to illustrate August’s story of courage and the depth of human compassion? My Ordinary Family celebrate the power of music and the universal appeal of American jazz, casting a light on one of the darkest times in humanity— something his grandfather would have celebrated with an eager tapping foot.

The Artists Konrad Paszkudzki Pianist

Pasquale Grasso Guitarist

Dylan Shamat Bass

Samara Joy Guest vocalist

The Music My Ordinary Family weaves 1930s and 1940s jazz standards throughout the story along with special jazz interpretations of some of Chopin's most loved works.

Selections include: Nocturne in E Flat Major Minute Waltz Fantasie Impromptu Sheik of Araby Night and Day Body and Soul That's All Cheek to Cheek It's Only a Paper Moon It's Been a Long, Long Time

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