Oct 24, 2018 — JazzTimes
This year’s finalists are: Russian-born pianist and singer Oleg Akkuratov; New Orleans-based vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa; Australian singer Olivia Chindamo; Las Vegas-based singer Toscha Comeaux; and Philadelphia-based vocalist Laurin Talese.
The singers will perform before a panel of judges including jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon; music manager and consultant Mary Ann Topper; WBGO radio host Sheila Anderson; trumpeter Jon Faddis; and bassist Christian McBride, who also serves as NJPAC’s jazz advisor.
The winner of the competition will receive $5,000 along with a performance slot at the 2019 Newport Jazz Festival. Past winners include Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, and Quiana Lynell, who took home the prize last year.
The competition, which began in 2012 and is also known as the SASSY Awards, will take place on the final day of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, which begins on Sunday, Nov. 4.