Judy Niemack - New York Stories (with Jim McNeely & Danish Radio Big Band) (2018)

A talented and adventurous singer, Judy Niemack has long had an underground reputation in jazz, although she finally received more recognition for her abilities. She sang regularly in school, starting at age seven in a church choir, and at 17 decided to become a professional singer. After meeting Warne Marsh the following year, Niemack became dedicated to jazz. She attended Pasadena City College, had several years of classical study, and also attended the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Cleveland Institute of Music, in addition to private lessons with Marsh. She moved to New York in 1977, and the following year made her recording debut, By Heart, for Sea Breeze. She returned in 1988 with Blue-Bop.

Since that time, Niemack has freelanced with many top jazz musicians (including Toots Thielemans, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Gomez, among others), has written lyrics to other musicians' compositions (in addition to writing songs of her own), and has toured Europe regularly. In addition, she has been a top jazz educator, teaching throughout Europe. A colorful improviser, Niemack has continued to recorded as a leader, delivering such albums as 1990's Long as You're Living, 1992's Straight Up, and 1996's Night and the Music. In 2003 she delivered About Time, featuring her husband, Jeanfrançois Prins, on guitar; Eddie Gomez on bass; and David Friedman on vibraphone. What's Going On? appeared on Temps in 2007, followed by In the Sundance in 2009. Niemack paired with pianist Dan Tepfer for Listening to You in 2017. ~ Scott Yanow