Voices in Flight
Jazz vocalists Jay Clayton and Judy Niemack met in NYC in the late 70's when Jay was singing free music in lofts and Judy had just arrived from California on the New York jazz scene. Both were impressed by the singing of the other, and opportunities arose in the USA and Europe to explore their unique duo in performance. Years passed, and a deep friendship and mutual inspiration now finds its expression in a new recording set for release in 2022, "Voices in Flight”. In this concert Judy and Jay present their unique duo repertoire, joined by bassist Jay Anderson and pianist John DiMartino, who provide brilliant and solid backing as well as creative interplay. Interaction and play between the four artists in the group is a primary goal of this musical mix. With songs ranging from Monk’s “Reflections”, to Curtis Fuller’s “He’s a Man”, Judy and Jay also include their original compositions, and re-arranged standards by Great American Songbook composers. These two vocal artists communicate effortlessly, using both lyrics and abstract sounds, while exploring the beauty and emotional depths of jazz.
"Clayton’s appearance at Giannelli Square in Northridge on Saturday night provided a rare opportunity to experience the eclectic musicality of this vocal wizard. She set the tone for the evening with her first number, an enthralling take on the Alec Wilder standard “While We’re Young.” Starting with a few lines of poetry from e.e. cummings, Clayton drifted into a series of disjunct notes — some high, some low — gradually allowing them to coalesce into the lyrics of the song…She’s a true jazz original.” Don Heckman
"Her creative odyssey provides a fascinating illustration of the high road to mastery that transcends the limitations of genre...a vocalist of theatrical depth and consumate syllabic invention. Ever since her debut with (Warne) Marsh at the Village Vanguard, audiences have marvelled at the grace with which Niemack scats."
-- K. Leander Williams, Downbeat
"Judy Niemack digs deeply into the innards of the compositional body eclectic and makes no detectable missteps. She crosses her Rubicon with the grace and confidence of those who know just where the shallows are and, therefore, appear to walk on water. Her voice remains a vehicle of startling clarity with all the range and rubato she might need for either a scat or improvisatory horn mode, as well as the filligreed touch of texture with which she breathes into life an intelligent lyric."
-- Alan Bargebuhr, Cadence Magazine
JAY CLAYTON is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, composer, and educator, whose work boldly spans the terrain between jazz and new music. In 1963 she began her career performing the standards on the vibrant New York music scene. However, she quickly became a prominent part of the free jazz movement. Her work in these two worlds led to the development of a highly personal, wordless vocabulary later enhanced by her innovative use of electronics. With more than 40 recordings to her credit, Clayton has appeared alongside such formidable artists as Muhal Richard Abrams, Steve Reich, Kirk Nurock, Julian Priester, Jerry Granelli, Jane Ira Bloom, Gary Bartz, Jack Wilkins, George Cables, Fred Hersch, Gary Thomas, tap dancer Brenda Bufalino as well as fellow vocalists Jeanne Lee, Norma Winstone, Urszula Dudziak and Bobby McFerrin.
She has taught extensively throughout the world and was on the jazz faculty of Cornish College of the Arts , Peabody Institute in Baltimore and Princeton University. Her book, Sing Your Story: A Practical Guide for Learning and Teaching the Art of Jazz Singing, was published by Advance Music in 2001. Her many accomplishments include grants from the National Endowment for the arts, Meet the Composer, CAPS, and in 2004 received the New Works: Creation and Performance grant from Chamber Music America. www.jayclayton.com
Jay Anderson bass
John DiMartino piano