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Judy Niemack

About Me

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it's both a musical and spiritual path. It requires a both focus in the present moment and a skill level that other forms of music don't demand. I'm a vocalist, composer and lyricist, so I have plenty of avenues through which to express myself, and the jazz muse can handle them all! I started out focused on singing and performing, and concurrently developed another passion: teaching. Teaching vocal technique, repertoire and improvisation for singers has brought me loads of inspiration and joy. Jazz singing requires emotional honesty, but not only that; its mastery requires the highest level of musical and performance skills. I love the interaction with other musicians,which brings mutual inspiration-- that's what I go for every time I sing!

My House Concert Story

I was lucky enough to sing with the great vocalist pianist and songwriter, Bob Dorough in a house concert in Portland in 2014. I was a friend and a big fan of Bob's, and When I was starting out as a jazz singer in NYC in the 80's, I wanted to start singing in Europe., and called my pal Bob. He gave me a long list of contacts in Paris, and , timing it with the release of my first CD, Blue Bop, which was on a French label, I flew over for a 2 week stay and fell in love with the city. I went to the jazz clubs and sat in and landed myself a 2-week gig at Le Bilbouquet, a beautiful club in St. Germaine, for the following Spring. To say thanks, and to sing with Bob, I organized a little tour in Portland area years later..what a joy!