6 Cool Nites of Hot Jazz

6 Cool Nites of Hot Jazz

Date Posted: May 21 2008

Written By: Chicago Jazz

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Jazz vocalists and recording artists Janice Borla, Jay Clayton and Judy Niemack will combine talents to celebrate the 20th anniversary "Hot Jazz - 6 Cool Nites" concert series July 18-24 at North Central College. This year’s concert series will open a brand new performance space on campus, Meiley-Swallow Hall, located at 31 S. Ellsworth Street, Naperville. Performances will be presented Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, and Monday through Thursday, July 21-24. All performances will begin at 8:00 p.m.

The concert series is presented in conjunction with the Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp, and features the eight jazz artists who comprise its faculty roster for the weeklong educational workshop. Each evening of the series will feature a different combination of artists and musical selections, culminating on Thursday evening with all the artists in a musical tour de force concert celebrating memorable moments in the series' 20-year history. The camp and concert series, recognized for presenting the most innovative vocalists on the contemporary jazz scene, has been featured on the national PBS news program "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer," WGN-TV, WTTW Channel 11 Chicago and HDNET-TV.

Featured Vocalists

Janice Borla, a native Chicagoan, has performed with such jazz talents as Clark Terry, Bobby Watson and Gary Bartz. Her current CD From Every Angle (Blujazz) has earned her enthusiastic critical acclaim, including a coveted "4-star" review in DownBeat Magazine and selection as one of its "Best CDs of 2007." Jazz Improv Magazine declares it "Great jazz singing… One of the best jazz releases of the year." AllMusic Guide cites her "…Adventurous, risk-taking approach…An impressive performance. Janice Borla clearly deserves far wider recognition with this release." Jazz Times: "Genius. Pure genius."

One of the founding members of camp's artist roster, Jay Clayton has worked with such jazz luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Fred Hersch, Steve Reich, and the internationally-acclaimed improvisatory vocal group Vocal Summit. Her current CD Brooklyn 2000 (Sunnyside Records) has garnered her wide critical praise. Francis Davis (Downbeat Magazine) writes: "Clayton is an important singer…one who proposed dramatic change in style and roles…Her musicianship is impeccable." Debra Bresnan ( Woodstock Times): "Clayton can swing, percolate, lay down a blues, soar in ethereal realms, avant you, romance you, and generally spin your concept of jazz singing a full 360…" This will be Clayton's fifth appearance in the series.

Judy Niemack divides her time between Europe and the U.S. Currently based in Berlin, she has recorded with Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch and Lee Konitz. Jazz Times Magazine acclaims "Niemack represents jazz singing at its finest and most accomplished" and describes her newest CD release Blue Nights" (Blujazz) as "at once a sublime testament to her long-established musical prowess and an utterly refreshing exercise in interpretive brilliance." AllMusic Guide calls it a "brilliant effort" from "one of the most underrated jazz vocalists of her generation." and Steve Getz of the Blue Note in New York City proclaims her "A World Class Jazz Vocalist. Period." Niemack made her first appearance at this event in 1990, and has been a member of its artist roster ever since.

In-Residence Instrumentalists
Trumpeter Art Davis is a former featured soloist with the Ray Charles Orchestra. Based in Chicago, he has performed and/or recorded with such notable artists as Louis Bellson, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Sinatra, and is a member of the Janice Borla Group.

Pianist Dan Haerle is an alumnus of the Clark Terry Group and has performed with Al Jarreau, Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny and Mel Torme. He is leader of the Dan Haerle Trio, whose current CD Standard Procedure (Blujazz) was selected by Downbeat Magazine as among the best CD releases of 2005.

Bassist Bob Bowman has played with such jazz greats as Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akyoshi, Carmen McRae and Karrin Allyson. Based in Kansas City, he is currently the leader of "Interstring" as well as a member of the Dan Haerle Trio and the Janice Borla Group

Drummer Jack Mouse is a member of the Janice Borla Group and the Dan Haerle Trio. A staff artist for Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads and Vic Firth Drum Sticks, he has performed with James Moody, Clark Terry, Bunky Green, Randy Brecker and Stan Kenton.

Belgian guitarist Jeanfrancois Prins has performed with such jazz talents as Toots Thielemans, Lee Konitz, Kenny Werner and Bud Shank. He can be heard on Judy Niemack's latest recordings as well as his own most recent CD Light (GAM).


In honor of the camp and concert series, Naperville Mayor George Pradel will proclaim July 18-24 "Vocal Jazz Week." The proclamation recognizes the camp, "which has gained an international reputation as one of vocal jazz's most prestigious and unique events" and "urges all residents to support this assemblage of world-famous jazz vocalists and instrumentalists who will be performing in Naperville, Illinois this week."

Tickets to the concerts are $17.00 for adults and $14.00 for students/senior citizens. A 5-night concert pass can also be purchased for $68.00 (adults) or $56.00 (students/seniors). For concert reservations and further information, contact the Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp at 630-637-5620.

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