G. Thomas Allen Is Winner Of Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

At a star-studded, sold-out performance held yesterday afternoon on the NJPAC stage, G. Thomas Allen was announced the winner of the 10th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

This marks the first time a male vocalist won the contest. Hosted by NJPAC's Jazz Advisor and multi-Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride, "The SASSY Awards" featured performances by the competition's five finalists as well as a special appearance by one of today's top jazz vocalists, Dianne Reeves.

The contenders took to the stage with magnificent performances in front of a live audience. Winner G. Thomas Allen wowed the esteemed panel of judges with his rendition of "Misty", a standard recorded by Sarah Vaughan in 1964. Andrea Miller (Costa Mesa, California) performed her rendition of "Bye Bye Blackbird", April May Webb (Edison, NJ) sang "Social Call", Latvian-born Arta Jēkabsone (Jersey City, NJ) sang "Gone with the Wind", and Vik Gečytė (Paris, France) performed her rendition of "Lover Come Back to Me".

As the first-prize winner of the SASSY Awards, G. Thomas Allen received a $5,000 cash award. April May Webb, who was the runner-up, was awarded a $1,500 cash prize, and third place recipient Arta Jēkabsonewon $500.

Pulled from over 160 submissions from 25 countries, the finalists performed before the distinguished panel of judges, including premier jazz pianist Renee Rosnes (West Orange, NJ), President & CEO of WBGO Radio Steven A. Williams, past winner of both the Sarah Vaughan and Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competitions Jazzmeia Horn, Paterson-born guitarist/singer John PIzzarelli, and renowned singer and NJCU professor Sheila Jordan.

The competition recalls the humble beginnings of legendary jazz singer/NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) who, back in 1942, was a Newark teenager and winner of an amateur singing contest at the Apollo Theater. That memorable night helped launch the lifework of one of the most successful, influential jazz vocalists in the history of American music. The competition is also known as The Sassy Awards, a nod to the nickname of singer. Past winners include Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, Samara Joy, Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. What has become one of the top annual vocal competitions in jazz, The SASSY Awards offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business-and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. For more information about The SASSY Awards, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.

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