Voices in Flight

by Judy Niemack - Jay Clayton

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Comes in a lovely, low environmental impact triptych digisleeve, with a gorgeous cover photo by Kylefromthenorth, with liner notes and all recording details, plus a QR code to find all the original lyrics and detailed info for each song featured on the album.

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1.	Questions and Answers (Play Pen) 06:50	lyrics	buy track
Questions and Answers How do you really know when you’re ready to take flight? Well it starts with a need to be free, Rising up with a rare urgency. Tell me why are you standing still, When the rest of the world is spinning ‘round? Take a minute to be in it, feel the beauty, hear the sound. Where will we find the strength to decide to live in peace? When we learn how to fight fear with love, Then we’ll rise up and fly with the dove. Tell me when are we going to stop Wanting more, hoping we can suffer less? When it’s over we’ll discover, Only love brings happiness.
2.	Ditto 07:25	info	buy track
3.	With You (Orange Blossoms) - Body and Soul 06:10	lyrics	buy track
With you Don’t ask for much, just a smile or a touch, For you to show what I long to know. Times when I get lonely, somehow my thoughts lead back to you. Even though I know I should not sit and sigh, what else can I do? I just want to spend some time with you; that’s the truth. You don’t seem to notice, but I am sure it’s plain to see, Somehow I can’t hide the way I feel when you’re around, what’s the use? I just want to spend some time with you. And I wonder, have you ever wished you could find someone to share All your hopes and aspirations? Someone to talk to when you’re sad, who’d lift you up, Someone who believes in you, who’ll lift you up when you’re down, how does it sound? Got a funny feeling, that if you’d take a chance with me, We could be the best of friends or maybe even more, that depends… I just want to spend some time with you.
4.	You (Hum) 06:58	lyrics	buy track
You I’ve got something nice, That makes the day worth living twice. It comes from inside, It makes me hum, It’s keeping time, Just like a drum. It’s telling me I’ve got somebody who cares, Somebody who’s aware, Who’s absolutely rare. It’s true, I thought you knew, I’ve got to smile, because of you. I’ve been thinking hard, About the warmth in your regard. It’s hot as the sun, It makes me glow, And anyone Can feel it flow. I’m telling you, You’ve got somebody who cares, Somebody who’s aware, Who’s absolutely rare. It’s true, I thought you knew, I’ve got to smile, because of you.
5.	Beloved 04:25	lyrics	buy track
Beloved I never felt a moment of regret, I knew I loved you since the day we met. You kept me safe within a world where all I had to do, Was listen to the song that floated silently from you, A song that never wavered on its way, A rhythm never changing ‘til today. But still you have to think that somehow you’ll survive. Another day, you’ll start to feel alive. And how could you have made it here, Without the pain, without the tears, That washed away the sadness deep inside, And left a space where only love resides?
6.	Beginner 04:34	info	buy track
7.	Looking Back (Reflections) 04:51	lyrics	buy track
Looking Back As I’m reflecting back on my life  It’s like a dream  Things are not quite what they seem.  There’s always something missing  Something unseen but dimly remembered. I think of paths I might have taken  Lives I’d have changed  Some living souls rearranged  And I’m amazed how tender feelings can be In looking back, we just peep through the crack  Between what’s real and false.  In this eternal waltz  Meanwhile we just keep dancing. Now at the end of my reflection  I’d have to say  I would live life the same way  But that’s the way that life goes  Thank God I’m a woman who knows.
8.	Soaring (Lotus Blossom) 04:49	lyrics	buy track
Soaring Soaring, when I’m with you, I’m exploring , each moment is new, And I’m wishing, waiting, wond’ring, Are you feeling it too? Gliding, without a care, it’s exciting, I’m lighter than air, And I'm wishing, waiting, wond’ring, Will it be me and you? Before you came along my life was full of schemes, Now I know my dreams led me here to find you. Flying up in the blue, no denying, All I’ve got to to do is stop, Wishing, waiting, wond’ring, And go soaring with you! Wishing, waiting wond’ring, Hoping, longing, yearning; Wishing, waiting wond’ring, And go soaring with you, Flying up in the blue, I’ll go soaring with you!
9.	Haperchance 02:13	lyrics	buy track
Haperchance Let go, move on, face full to the wind, the mind cleansed of “no’s” and “not’s”, The heart accepting of “yesses” and “can be’s”. A world awaits in charity and new beginnings.”
10.	Eagle Poem 06:24	lyrics	buy track
Eagle Poem To pray, you open your whole self To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon, To one whole voice that is you.. And know there is more, that you can’t see, can’t hear, can’t know. Except in moments steadily growing. And in languages, that aren’t always sound, But other circles in motion. Like eagle, that Sunday morning over salt river, Circled in blue sky and wind, Swept our hearts clean with sacred wings.. We see you, see ourselves and know that we must take the utmost care, And kindness in all things. Breathe in, knowing we are made of all this. And breathe knowing we are truly blessed, Because we were born and die soon, Within a true circle of motion… Like eagle, rounding out the morning inside us. We pray, that it will be done in beauty, in beauty, in beauty…
11.	He's A Man (Sagittarius) 05:41	lyrics	buy track
He’s a Man Nobody doubts the fact, he’s a real man, A paradoxical soul with a heart of gold. He’s got an animal nature, and a spirit too, That will see him through, when he grows old. He’s a man. Imperfect combination of wisdom and tolerance, With a youthful desire for fun. He doesn’t think he’s so special, but I know the truth, He’s the man for me, the only one. He’s a man. The kind of guy who’s ready to listen, Intuitive, with a smile when you’re feelin’ low. He lends support when you need it, Then he lets you go. As the arrow flies, it leaves the bow. He’s a man. Out in the world he’s second to no one, Hey, confidence is the name of the game, you know. But when he’s home and it’s quiet, And you’re not around, Then he wonders why he feels alone, (so alone.)
12.	Like Water Off A Stray Dog 05:10	lyrics	buy track
Like Water Off a Stray Dog Sittin' in a crowded restaurant, Avoiding the eyes of others. Alone again, with fam'lies all around, Mine is so far away, Scattered in time and places, Like water shaken off a stray dog . Ridin' on a crowded tourist train, With children and tired parents, They think I've got it made. But my heart is far away, Scattered in foreign places, Like water shaken off a stray dog. No doubt these people play out strange histories, But from the outside, always from the outside, It looks like love to me. No one' gonna change this loneliness, I know it's a place inside me, And I alone can fill it up, But sometimes I lose myself, Scattered in lonely places, like water shaken off a stray dog. And tears fall down anyway, Scattered on lonely faces, Like water shaken off a stray dog.
13.	Badadadat 02:43	lyrics	buy track
Badadadat Why do people come and go? Why do people come and go? Why when? Why now? Why when? Why now? And then there are those who stay and stay and stay and stay and stay, Even when they go. There are those who stay and stay and stay, Even when they go.
14.	Wondering 04:57	lyrics	buy track
Wondering I’m wondering what to do, To simplify the beginning of something new. When I’m with you, I’m filled with confusion, That look you give, is that an illusion? Or will we find a perfect conclusion? I know you know, I know you know, oh. I’m a woman with her own free will, I’m not afraid to fall over and take a spill. Experience is my only master, When I take a chance I seem to learn faster And when I do it’s not a disaster, I know you know, I know you know, oh.

about

New York City is the center of many worlds, the jazz world being one of them, and musicians have always felt the pull of the Big Apple. In 1977, California-born vocalist Judy Niemack’s improvisation teacher, saxophonist Warne Marsh, told her to move there if she wanted to be a jazz singer, and once she did, she never looked back. Niemack’s experiences in New York shaped her career and life, and by the early 80’s she realized her dream—to be professional jazz singer. However, in order to have a career as a jazz singer, it was necessary to perform abroad, and this led to her move to Europe in 1992, where she resided in Brussels and later in Berlin, teaching vocal jazz and performing.

The album “Voices In Flight" is the result of her collaboration with veteran vocalist Jay Clayton, a brilliant and highly influential improviser and teacher. Judy and Jay met in the late 1970s on New York City's vibrant music scene. At the time, Jay was performing avant-garde and experimental music in the jazz lofts and Judy had just arrived from California, making her debut at the Village Vanguard with Warne Marsh. Judy was on the lookout for inspired vocal improvisers and Jay fit the bill— a singer with her own sound, a free approach to improvising and an authentic way with a story. Over the years their friendship grew deeper and they became a source of inspiration for each other.

"Voices in Flight" marks their debut recording, with tracks featuring their voices together as well as in varied combinations with three internationally known jazz musicians. Accompanied by guitarist Jeanfrançois Prins, bassist Jay Anderson, and pianist John Di Martino, who create a brilliant and solid backing, they explore creative interplay in this musical mix, offering a diverse range of songs from the likes of Thelonious Monk and Kenny Dorham as well as poems, originals and re-arranged standards.
Using both lyrics and abstract sounds, the two vocalists communicate with ease while exploring the music's beauty and emotional depths. Their seamless collaboration is a testament to their mutual respect and admiration for each other.

www.gam-music.com

credits

released June 10, 2023

Judy Niemack and Jay Clayton vocals, Jeanfrançois Prins guitar, John Di Martino piano, Jay Anderson bass

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about

Judy Niemack - Jay Clayton New York, New York

Judy NIEMACK is a real jazz singer. Her delivery of lyrics is full of emotion and elegance, while in her scat singing she is a consummate musician, exploring the music like a virtuoso horn player.
Jay Clayton's work spans between jazz and new music. One of the first singers to use poetry and electronics, her pioneering explorations were at the forefront of free jazz and the loft scene in the 70s. ... more