Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Accepting Submissions

  I  

The 8th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, also known as the SASSY awards, is accepting submissions through Sept. 9.

The competition, which is part of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival, is open to vocalists 16 years old and up, who are not signed to a major label, according to a press release from the event. To enter, submit three songs to the competition’s website.

Five finalists will be announced on Oct. 15, who then will perform for a panel of judges, which includes Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Jane Monheit, Gary Walker and Matt Pierson, on Nov. 24.

The grand-prize winner will take home $5,000.

Past winners of the competition include Cyrille Aimée, Laurin Talese, Jazzmeia Horn, Quina Lynell and Arianna Neikrug. DB



  • DB26_Joshua_Redman_Courtesy_Joshua_Redman.jpg

    A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.

  • Coltrane_John_by_Joe_Alper_copy.jpeg

    “It was just that suddenly … I could hear it,” Ravi Coltrane said of an epiphany he experienced during his late teens regarding his father’s music. “And it was almost like a calling, like something saying, ‘Hey, man, come on. It’s time to get serious.’ And the first time you really tune in and dial in and focus like that, it can be very life-changing.”

  • Thurman_copy.jpeg

    Camille Thurman took to the stage alongside bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Tommy Campbell for a rendition of Johnny Mercer’s “I’m An Old Cowhand” that recalled Rollins’ epochal 1957 trio outing Way Out West.

  • 5_Elling_Russell_Cohen_Courtesy_Signature_Cruise_Experiences.jpg

    Kurt Elling, Katherine Russell and Emmet Cohen (host on the 2027 Jazz Cruise) share a laugh at sea.

  • DB-CollegeGuide-Cover-Oct26_copy4.jpg