The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced that it is now accepting entries for the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which will be held on November 20, 2022. The deadline for submissions is September 6, 2022. According to the press release received at JazzTimes, the competition is open to “singers over the age of 18, of all genders and nationalities, from anywhere in the world, and not signed by a major label. Entrants are judged on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing.” The first-place winner will receive a $5,000 cash award, second-place will receive $1,500, and third-place $500.
Entrants are asked to share 3-6 audio/visual links, and at least one ballad, one medium-tempo song and one up-tempo song is preferred. Scat singing is encouraged and songs can be covers or originals.
During the fall, five finalists will be chosen to compete by performing at NJPAC in front of a live audience and a panel of judges including Regina Carter, Christian McBride, T.S. Monk, Maria Schneider, and WBGO Radio host Pat Prescott. Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, the co-winners of the 2021 competition, will also perform at the concert, which will be hosted by Gary Walker from WBGO. Among the past winners of the competition are Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, Samara Joy, and G. Thomas Allen.
To learn more about the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and submit an entry, visit sarahvaughancompetition.com.
