The concert has been around for 20 years but founder Janice Borla said that it did not start that way.

“It started as a camp, a resource for young singers to learn more about solo aspects of jazz singing,” said Borla.

The camp, which Borla holds once a year, was formed to let budding artists develop skills and jazz vocabulary in ways not offered at the high school and college level. Students from teens on up to senior citizens have attended. The camp, while primarily targeted at vocalists, also includes instruments.

However, while Janice Borla teaches during the day, she, along with her husband Jack Mouse and several other faculty artists started playing songs at night and the concert has continued for 20 years since.

“This concert is kind of a grand music reunion for all of us faculty artists,” said Borla.

The concert, which took place this year at the newly renovated Medley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, also has a special tradition for the finale.

“We always do a special tribute to a well known Jazz artist at the end of each concert. We had a Miles Davis night, we had a John Coltrane night, but this year, we decided to celebrate 20 years,” said Mouse.

Run a week ago from July 18th to July 24th starting at 8 pm every night except Sunday, which started at 7 pm, the concert was open to the public. Mouse feels this is important.

“Jazz is process music, you have to be there and listening and watching the process to enjoy it.”

So from affecting student’s lives by day to playing classics by night, Janice Borla and Jack Mouse celebrate hot jazz for six cool nights.

Article by Adam Ballent
Caroline Rowland Reports