Search - Judy Niemack :: In the Sundance

All Music Guide Review

Scat teacher | Germany | 11/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vocalist Judy Niemack has long been a well-kept secret in her homeland, as many of her releases were made for European labels like Free Lance, far too many of which were poorly distributed in the U.S. and lapsed from print. But since she began working with the U.S. label Blujazz, she has had much greater exposure. Her second CD for the label features his talented husband (and longtime collaborator) Jeanfrançois Prins on guitar, joined by pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Bruno Castellucci. Her breezy bossa nova setting of "How About You" is very engaging and adds some delightful (but not overdone) scatting. Niemack's dramatic interpretation of "The Summer Knows" (the theme from the movie Summer of '42) omits the piano, with Prins' shimmering accompaniment providing the lead for the sensitive rhythm section. She tackles "Beautiful Love" in an unusual manner, scatting at length with only Reid's accompaniment, finally introducing the lyrics well into the arrangement over his inventive walking bass. Niemack is also an accomplished lyricist, penning poignant words to Richie Beirach's bittersweet "Leaving" (retitled "As I Leave Again" and co-writing the whispering "Music Calls Me (Central Park)" with Prins. Judy Niemack proves herself once more as of the top jazz female jazz vocalists with this outstanding CD. Ken Dryden, All Music Guide"