The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the top five finalists of the 14th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Pulled from almost 200 entrants from 27 different countries, these gifted young singers represent the next generation of great jazz vocalists. The top five finalists are: Diamond Franklin (Philadelphia, PA), Candace Jones (Hollywood, FL), Katie Kortum (New York City), Julia Moscardini (Buenos Aires, Argentina), and Emma Smith (London, England),
On November 23, 2025, the top five finalists will compete in the iconic NJPAC stage in front of a live audience and before a distinguished panel of judges including TONY-nominated singer/lyricist Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis, GRAMMY®-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming at NJPAC Christian McBride, and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer and co-host of WBGO Radio’s Singers Unlimited, vocalist Janis Siegel.
Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker, this special event will also include performances by the 2023 winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Tyreek McDole. The first-prize winner of The SASSY Awards will receive a $5,000 cash award, second-place $1,500, and third-place $500.
The Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, also known as “The SASSY Awards,” has become one of the top annual vocal competitions in jazz. The competition recalls the humble beginnings of legendary jazz singer/NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) who, back in 1942, was a Newark teenager and winner of an amateur singing contest at the Apollo Theater. That memorable night helped launch the lifework of one of the most successful, influential jazz vocalists in the history of American music.
Open to singers over the age of 18, of all genders and nationalities, from anywhere in the world, and not signed by a major label, The SASSY Awards offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business—and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. Past winners include Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, Samara Joy (GRAMMY® Award winner for Best New Artist 2023), Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, G. Thomas Allen, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Tyreek McDole, and April May Webb.
For more information about The SASSY Awards, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.