The Top Five Finalists

Written By Mike Greenblatt
NJPAC Sassy Awards

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the top five finalists—out of 361 entrants from 38 countries—of the 15th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. And they are: Alyssa Allgood (Chicago), Vahn Black (Detroit), Nathan Farrell (New York City), Angelique Nicolas (Paris) and Jackie Ribas (New York City).

They will compete November 22 on the NJPAC stage in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. This year, the event is hosted by WBGO’s Gary Walker and judged by Jose James (whose 2015 Billie Holiday tribute album, Yesterday I Had The Blues, was one of the best vocalese albums of that year); three-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato; Jason Olaine (Programming VP for the “Jazz at Lincoln Center” series); Actress-Singer Lillias White; and percussionist TS Monk (son of Thelonious). 2024 winner April May Webb will perform.

For more information, visit https://www.njpac.org/sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition/.

Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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