Auditions for the 2012 fourth amateur Open Mic Jazz Competition at GrandWest have been concluded and the top 24 contestants will now meet each other in the quarter final rounds on Wednesday, 10th and 17th October at Jackson Hall.
The top 23 positions have been filled but when the votes were counted, three contestants had the same score. They will battle it out for the final 24th position on 10 October.
Event promoter conceptualiser Bev Scott-Brown of Spotlight Music said, “The contest has attracted 138 entrants representing a wide range of Capetonians of all ages, from over 55 suburbs and involved in a range of careers from an apprentice diesel mechanic to a call centre agent, financial adviser, a soldier, housewives and students, a hockey player and truck driver, and even a broker and fraud analyst.
“But the most unusual entrant has to be the 82-year old pensioner from Muizenberg who blew the audience away with his version of ‘I left my heart in San Fransisco’. Apparently this dedicated Jazz lover caught a train and walked a fair distance to his Grand West audition. His honest performance earned him supporter from the crowd and judges alike. Although he did not score enough for a place in the Top 24, he most certainly earned a place in the hearts of everyone who listened to his heart-felt rendition.
Judges have focused on vocal technique, song interpretation, stage presence and audience response. Assisting the entrants with their audition are accomplished musicians Andrew Ford playing a baby grand piano, Wesley Rustin on double bass and Ivan Bell on drums.
- Quarter finals (top 24) take place on Wednesday 10 and 17 October in the Jackson Hall at 20h00 for 20h30. Entry is free.
- Semi Finals (top 12) take place on Wednesday 24 October.
- Finals (top 6) take place on Wednesday 31 October at Hanover Streetat 20h00 for 20h30. Entry is free.
