The ninth annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, also known as the “SASSY Awards,” gives outstanding jazz singers a chance to perform in front of celebrity judges for cash prizes and a platform for embarking on a career in the music business!
Held in honor of Newark’s “Divine One” – Sarah Vaughan – this exciting competition attracts gifted young talents from around the globe to perform in the finals on November 22 at NJPAC. Singers are evaluated by a panel of special guest judges and rated for vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing.
“This esteemed event provides a platform for today’s outstanding jazz singers and gives audiences an early glimpse at tomorrow’s jazz stars,” writes Jazziz magazine.
Past winners have included Samara McLendon, Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Laurin Talese, and Quiana Lynell. This year’s event, which closes the 2020 TD James Moody Jazz Festival, will be hosted by WBGO-FM personality Gary Walker. Serving as judges are multi-GRAMMY™ winning bassist Christian McBride; acclaimed jazz vocalists Carmen Lundy and Vanessa Rubin; WBGO-FM president and CEO Robert G. Ottenhoff; and jazz producer Chuck Mitchell.sarah
