My dreams of a better life first led me to Canada from Poland. I came here with "two suitcases full of dreams" in 1972. There I performed for Canadian Pacific Chain Hotels from Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff Spring to Vancouver, BC. During that time I began using the stage name Jan Lewan.

I believed that dreams of a better life would not be complete until I became a United States citizen. So in 1981 I went to the US. I became a US citizen on October 30, 1986.

In 1988 I formed JRD Production, Inc., Jan Lewan Show Gifts, Inc. and the Jan Lewan Orchestra. I attended many trade shows, from Chicago to Las Vegas with Amber jewelry and gifts from Poland during 1988 to 2001.

During the years 1983 to 2001 my orchestra filled large venues such as Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City to Las Vegas Hilton Hotel with our famous recording of Jan Lewan and His Orchestra OLE! OLE! and being nominated for a Grammy Award, a great honor.

However my financial success was never as great as I represented. However I strongly believe I had made it and I will succeed. On January 26, 2001 my tour bus was involved in a terrible accident, killing two of my musicians, Tony Karas and John Stabinski and severely injuring my son Daniel.

Then when America experienced difficulty with economy, plus 9/11, I was lead to bankruptcy, which for wrong doing I ended up in prison. The Jan Lewan Show Gift Store, property and merchandise including Polish Dolls, costumes, beautiful amber jewelry set in gold and silver, and many beautiful souvenirs from Poland and other countries, which was worth millions of dollars was unfortunately lost through bankruptcy. I lost my business, my home and my self respect.

For all of these things I am very sorry, especially to my family and to the people who got hurt over all of these things.

I truly suffered thru the bus tragedy and the loss of my business. My incarceration cannot compare to my internal suffering which I endure thru this tragic period of my life; however I serve my time with dignity and pay my penalty to society. The hurt of the incidents of pre-incarceration will never leave me. I truly suffered and this I will carry forever.

1. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Science, Inc. 37th Annual Grammy Awards - 1995. Grammy Award Nominee, Jan Lewan and his Orchestra

2. American Cancer Society "Ray of Hope" telethon in Hazelton, PA. - I donated my services and time for 18 years.

3. Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, N.J. - 1994 and 1995 Benefit Concert given by Jan Lewan at Palumbo's Nightclub in Philadelphia, PA. 90 Polish children benefited from the free heart surgery.

4. Benefit Concert Symphony with Polkas for Deborah Heart Hospital at Lincoln Center, N.Y. Daniel Lewandowski sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and didn't leave a dry eye in the place by the time he finished singing. "To see a healthy child and realize that so many children in the world need medical care made the purpose of the concert a heart-touching feeling." --Jan Lewan

5. EMS Global, Inc. organization that provides clinics and assists hospitals with emergency flood relief in Poland. Jan Lewan Special Show's for the Fund Raiser.

6. Jan Lewan elected in 1984 for Citizen of the Year.

7. Jan Lewan sings in many R.C. Churches on a voluntary basis during Polish masses around the world.

8. Donating aid surgery for 13-year-old Poland girl in January 1988 for brain surgery, which saved her life.

9. In 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1990 Jan Lewan donating services and time in benefit concerts for exceptional children in Lodi, N.J.

10. And Much MORE!

Pope Jan Paul II and Jan Lewan- Lewandowski

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski and Donald Trump at Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ

2001
Jan Lewan-Lewandowski with
NY City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani

Bobby Vinton and Jan Lewan-Lewandowski together in NJ

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski and George Burns
in Las Vegas at Sahara Hotel

My son Daniel, Pride of Poland, Cardinal, Józef Glemp and Jan Lewan-Lewandowski

The Hawaii King Don Ho, Jan Lewan-Lewandowski and wife Rhonda Lewan

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski, Polish President at Statuary Hall in Capitol, Lech Walesa
and Honorable Congressman Paul Kanjorski

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski, Singer Tom Jones, and Rhonda Lewan in Taj Mahal Casino Hotel

Michael Green, President of NARAS at ceremony in Los Angeles for 1995 Grammy Award Nominee with Jan Lewan-Lewandowski

Rhonda Lewan, Vince Gill and Jan Lewan-Lewandowski at Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski and Judy Trenuda

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski, Amy Grant, famous singer and Vince Gill's wife with Jan's wife Rhonda

Andrew Golota, famous polish boxer and Jan Lewan-Lewandowski

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski, Rhonda Lewan and Jack Palance

Polka Family and Jan Lewan-Lewandowski in Poland

Jan Lewan-Lewandowski and his father, Edwin Lewandowski