Ashton Moore – Semi-Finalist in Monk Jazz Competition

The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, often compared in stature to classical music’s International Tchaikovsky Competition and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, is widely regarded as the most prestigious jazz competition in the world. Each year, the competition features a different musical instrument, and major scholarships and prizes are awarded to talented young musicians. Over the past 23 years, the competition has launched the careers of a number of major jazz stars including Joshua Redman, Jane Monheit, Marcus Roberts, Tierney Sutton, and Joey DeFrancesco. These artists and dozens of others from past competitions have forged successful careers as performing and recording artists, as well as music educators, helping to preserve and perpetuate America’s legacy of jazz.

The 2010 Competition will feature jazz vocals. Twelve of the world’s most outstanding young jazz vocalists have been selected to compete before a panel of jazz greats including Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, and Dianne Reeves. Three finalists will then vie for scholarships and prizes totaling over $100,000 including a $20,000 first place scholarship and guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group, a $10,000 second place scholarship, and a $5,000 third place scholarship.

The 12 semifinalists are:Cyrille Aimée, Fontainebleau, France; Barbara Bürkle, Stuttgart, Germany; Lisa Gary, Great Neck, New York; Alexandra Isley, Los Angeles, California; Dana Lauren, Hartford, Connecticut; Tatiana Mayfield, Fort Worth, Texas; Ashton Nickolas Moore, Detroit, Michigan; Cécile McLorin Salvant, Miami, Florida; Richard Saunders, Simsbury, Connecticut; Charenée Wade, Brooklyn, New York; Kalil Wilson, Oakland, California; and Sarah Marie Young, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Semifinals of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Three finalists will be selected to perform with a group of jazz all-stars at Monday’s Kennedy Center concert, followed by the awards announcement.
Read from Thelonious Monk Competition website…