Jazz vocalist Janice Borla performs May 17 in North Central College’s Madden Theatre

Acclaimed North Central College jazz faculty member Janice Borla performs an evening of classic and contemporary jazz May 17.

“An Evening with Jazz Vocalist Janice Borla” begins at 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $20/adults and $15/students and seniors; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).

As a vocalist, Borla has made the utilization of voice as a jazz instrument her artistic mission. Her recordings and performances have consistently earned high praise for her beautiful sound, superb technique, adventurous repertoire and imaginative vocal improvisations. Borla will be joined onstage by fellow members of North Central College’s jazz faculty, including trumpeter Art Davis, pianist Chris White, bassist Jim Cox and drummer Jack Mouse.

Described as “a one-woman jazz tornado” by Jazz Times Magazine, Borla continues to expand the parameters of jazz vocal expression on her latest release “From Every Angle.” Hailed by JazzWeek as “another fine effort from a singer who seems to do everything right,” the album was named one of the Best CDs of the Year by DownBeat Magazine. Her previous CD, “Agents of Change,” also enjoyed wide critical acclaim and was honored as the No. 1 Jazz CD of the Year by WBEZ-FM Chicago Public Radio.

Borla has performed with such jazz talents as Clark Terry, Bunky Green, Bobby Watson, Gary Bartz, Bobby Shew and numerous others. She has performed at such venues and festivals as Chicago’s Jazz Showcase, The Iridium in New York City, the Soroptimist Women in Jazz Festival at Fort Bragg, Calif., and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Acknowledged as a pioneer in vocal jazz education, she founded the Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp and “Hot Jazz–6 Cool Nites” concert series, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Borla is an instructor of vocal jazz at North Central College and has written articles for DownBeat and the Jazz Education Journal. As a guest artist and clinician she has performed in the United States, Canada and Europe, and presents clinics online through the ALIVE (Accessible Live Internet Video Education) Project. Visit janiceborla.com to learn more.

Navistar is underwriting sponsor of North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season. The season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and National Endowment of the Arts.