The semi-finals of the TS Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition was held in the Rasmuson Theater on the first floor of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
Since 1987 the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz has presented the competition, the most prestigious jazz competition in the world. Each year, scholarships and prizes are awarded to talented young musicians and composers. The scholarships help pay tuition for college-level jazz education studies and provide funds for private, specialized instruction. The competition focuses on a different instrument every year and features an outstanding all-star judging panel. This year the vocal competition was judged by Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Al Jarreau. Aretha Franklin had been scheduled to judge.
15 vocalists qualified for the competition with the top 3 making the finals. They are: Cecile McLorin Salvant from Miami, Florida, Charenee Wade of Brooklyn, and Cyrille Aimee of France.
The competition finals and tribute to the great American songbook gala concert will be held Monday evening at the Kennedy Center. Stay tuned......
(pictured are: Wayne Shorter, Cyrille Aimee, Charenee Wade, Cecile Salvant, Herbie Hancock, TS Monk)
