Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
Changing of the Guard at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
The winners of the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.
(Photo: Courtesy of the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition)At a performance held the afternoon of Nov. 20 on the NJPAC stage, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso was announced the winner of the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker, The SASSY Awards featured performances by the competitions top five finalists as well as special appearances by previous winners Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim and Gabrielle Cavassa.
Rebolloso, recipient of a $5,000 cash award, wowed the panel of judges with the bebop standard “Donna Lee.” The 21-year-old vocalist, born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, grew up singing in the family’s group, singing son jarocho, a blend of Spanish, African and indigenous Mexican influences — a style that originated on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. “It was a natural introduction to the many influences in jazz, with a strong reminder that at the center is a story to tell,” Walker says. “Lucía’s life story is one that will serve her well in jazz for years to come.”
The second place honor and $1,500 prize went to Ekep Nkwelle, a singer and songwriter who studied both classical voice and jazz performance at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts High School in Washington, D.C., and later attended Howard University, where she performed with the school’s prestigious vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue. Third place and a prize of $500 was awarded to Harlem-based Allan Harris, who as a child had the great privilege and honor to watch Sarah Vaughan perform live at The Apollo.
Pulled from more than 200 submissions from over 25 countries, the top five finalists took to the stage with magnificent performances in front of a live audience and the distinguished panel of judges including violinist Regina Carter, NJPAC’s jazz advisor and bassist Christian McBride, drummer T.S. Monk, composer/arranger Maria Schneider and WBGO Radio personality Pat Prescott. DB
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.
Apr 8, 2025 1:23 PM
Blue Note Entertainment Group has unveiled the lineup for the 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York, featuring…
“I’m certainly influenced by Geri Allen,” said Iverson, during a live Blindfold Test at the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival.
Apr 15, 2025 11:44 AM
Between last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Ethan Iverson performed as part of the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival in…
“At the end of the day, once you’ve run out of differences, we’re left with similarities,” Collier says. “Cultural differences are mitigated through 12 notes.”
Apr 15, 2025 11:55 AM
DownBeat has a long association with the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the premiere…
