HOT JAZZ - 6 COOL NITES” CONCERT SERIES AT NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE

[Lois Gilbert]

HOT JAZZ - 6 COOL NITES” CONCERT SERIES AT NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE

NAPERVILLE, IL --- Jazz vocalists and recording artists Janice Borla, Judy Niemack and Cathy Segal Garcia will combine talents for the 19th annual “Hot Jazz - 6 Cool Nites” concert series to be held Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, and Monday through Thursday, July 23-26 at North Central College. All performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. in Heininger Auditorium, Larrance Academic Center, 309 E. School Street, Naperville. Each evening of the series will feature a different combination of artists and musical selections. To conclude the series, Thursday’s concert will present a special musical tribute to Seattle trumpeter and vocalist Floyd Standifer, one of the founding members of the vocal jazz camp faculty roster, who passed away last January.

The concert series is presented in conjunction with the Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp, a weeklong educational workshop jointly sponsored by the College’s Jazz Studies Program and the First National Bank of Naperville, with radio sponsorship from 90.9fm WDCB Public Radio from College of DuPage. The event 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 and a coveted “4-star” review in DownBeat Magazine. Jazz Improv Magazine declares it “Great jazz singing…One of the best jazz releases of 2006.” AllMusic Guide cites her “…Adventurous, risk-taking approach…An impressive performance. Janice Borla clearly deserves far wider recognition with this release.” JazzWeek adds: “Another fine effort from a singer who seems to do everything right.”

Judy Niemack divides her time between New York and Europe. Currently based in Berlin, she has recorded with Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch and Lee Konitz. Her newly-released CD Blue Nights (Blujazz) AllMusic Guide calls a “brilliant effort” from ”one of the most underrated jazz vocalists of her generation.” Dan Morgenstern describes her as “...a musician in the truest sense, having mastered her instrument and her chosen language and crafted her own style,” and Steve Getz of the Blue Note in New York City proclaims her “A World Class Jazz Vocalist. Period.”

Based in Los Angeles, Cathy Segal Garcia has performed with an array of jazz musicians, including Russell Ferrrante, Peter Erskine and Don Menza. Her most recent CD Secret Life has garnered wide critical praise. Jazz News praises her “clear, cool perfectly pitched voice.” The Los Angeles Times describes her as “A model of warm, exquisitely focused jazz vocalizing…sensuous voice and cool harmonies…” and “A voice that’s soft and warm as cashmere.”

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 Haere 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 20-27 “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.”

The presenting sponsor for this event is the First National Bank of Naperville. Media sponsorship is provided by Sun Publications and 90.9fm WDCB Public Radio from College of DuPage. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Community Arts Access Regranting Program, which is funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and Hinsdale Center for the Arts. Equipment and services are provided by Yamaha Corporation of America, Shure Brothers, Inc. and Brookdale Music

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.