Jazz Forum Arts Announces Winners Of First Vocal Jazz Competition

Jazz Forum Arts, the top presenter of jazz artists in Westchester County, announced its winners of its first

Held on Saturday, May 5 in Yonkers, JFA auditioned 17 acts for the opportunity to showcase their artistry during JFA’s 2012 free Summer Concert Series.

The 2012 winners of JFA’s 1st Annual Vocal Jazz Competition are: Alexis Cole of Peekskill, Lisa Gary of Great Neck, High 5 Vocalworks of Palisades, Angel Rose of Bronx, Cole Rumbough of Greenwich, Conn., Irene Renee of Bronxville.

JFA’s “Rising Stars” (Jazz artists under 18 years of age) are: Bianca Muniz of Sleepy Hollow and Carly Rose Sonenclar of Mamaroneck.

“JFA and its Board are thrilled by the extremely positive response we have received for our first-ever vocal jazz competition,” said Mark Morganelli, Founder and Executive Director for JFA. 

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“We are truly grateful to all of the talented artists, including our fabulous judges, who participated in our competition. Our winners are stellar and we at JFA look forward to presenting them this summer during our County-wide concert series.”  

JFA’s 1st Annual Vocal Jazz Competition auditioned jazz vocalists, from soloists and duos to a cappella groups. Auditioning jazz artists were judged on how well they sang in the jazz style (i.e. phrasing, musicality, scatting, performance and tone). 

The 2012 judges for JFA’s 1st Annual Vocal Jazz Competition were Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Maya Azucena; award-winning Canadian jazz vocalist, Melissa Stylianou; veteran jazz drummer and vocalist, Tony Jefferson; Grammy-nominated vocalist and Adjunct Jazz Professor for the New School, Janet Lawson; JFA Board Member and accomplished jazz vocalist, Tyrha M. Lindsey; and JFA Board Chair, John Gunther-Mohr.   

For more information on JFA’s 1st Annual Vocal Jazz Competition and its winners, visit www.jazzforumarts.org. 

-Contributed by JFA.

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