Since 2000, Judy Rafat has devoted herself extensively to pedagogical activities. She founded her own “School of Vocal Music” where she can pursue one of her most heartfelt desires: to pass on to her students that which she herself has learned in the course of a long and varied career.
In 2001 a close and fruitful collaboration with Thomas Rückert began that has developed into an intensive musical experience. Likewise the founding of her quintet(2003) with Olaf Polziehn (Piano), Henning Gailing (Bass), Hendrik Smock (drums) and Lothar van Staa (Saxophone). With this team she recorded the album “Pure Inspiration“ in 2005, which was followed by numerous performances throughout Europe.
Judy received a great deal of recognition in 2006 during her “A Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie” tour. She is the only jazz singer in the world with a program exclusively devoted to the works of the great master who was her mentor and friend. In the same year she appeared in front of an international audience as part of a six-month engagement at the Shangrila Hotel in Singapore, as well as the local jazz club Southbridge.