Jazzmeia Horn has won the 2013 Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition, according to multiple posts on the singer’s Facebook page. Horn, who won the festival’s “Rising Star” award last year, was one of five finalists in the event, held for the second time at NJPAC in Newark, N.J., as part of the TD James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival.
Horn, from Dallas, Tex., attends the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City and has performed with artists such as Ali Jackson, Jon Hendricks, Ellis Marsalis and Delfeayo Marsalis, according to a bio released by the competition prior to the award ceremony and concert.
Horn will receive a $5,000 prize as well as the competition’s Sassy Award. She was chosen by singers Al Jarreau, Janis Siegel and Gretchen Parlato, WBGO radio’s Gary Walker and producer Larry Rosen. The five initial finalists are chosen via online public voting.
Barbra Lica was named the first runner-up and Camille Thurman second runner-up. Lydia Harrell and Teira Church were the other finalists. Kate Davis was named this year’s Rising Star.
