Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, affectionately known as The SASSY Awards, returns this fall to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), promising another electrifying showcase of vocal artistry. Now in its 14th year, the competition continues to honor the spirit of the legendary Newark native whose voice reshaped the sound of jazz. On November 23, 2025, five young vocalists from around the globe will step onto NJPAC’s storied stage, each vying for a place in the lineage of jazz greats who’ve graced this annual event.
From nearly 200 entries across 27 countries, this year’s finalists represent both the diversity and vitality of contemporary jazz. Diamond Franklin from Philadelphia, Candace Jones from Hollywood, Florida, Katie Kortum from New York City, Julia Moscardini from Buenos Aires, and Emma Smith from London make up the 2025 roster. Each brings a unique sensibility to the mic—a distinct voice shaped by geography, culture, and deep reverence for the tradition of swing.
Judging them will be a panel as formidable as any in jazz. The lineup includes TONY-nominated singer and lyricist Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis, GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon, GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and NJPAC Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming Christian McBride, and Manhattan Transfer founding member and WBGO host Janis Siegel. Their combined expertise covers the entire spectrum of the jazz vocal idiom—from bebop to balladry, improvisation to interpretation.
The finalists will be evaluated on tone, phrasing, technique, and that elusive quality Sarah Vaughan herself embodied so naturally: the ability to tell a story through song. Hosted by WBGO’s Gary Walker, the night will also feature a performance by 2023 winner Tyreek McDole, whose own meteoric rise has become a testament to what this competition can do for an emerging artist.
Beyond the stage lights and applause, the stakes remain both tangible and symbolic. The first-place winner will take home a $5,000 cash prize, second place $1,500, and third $500—but the true reward is entry into a rare fraternity of jazz vocalists whose careers began with this very competition. Winning The SASSY Awards isn’t just a title; it’s a launching pad, a signal to the jazz world that a new voice has arrived.
The competition’s namesake, Sarah Vaughan—born in Newark in 1924—once stood in similar shoes. As a teenager, she won an amateur night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1942, a performance that caught the attention of Billy Eckstine and changed her life forever. That same spirit of discovery fuels the event today, linking past and present in a continuum of excellence that reminds audiences why jazz remains one of the most emotionally resonant art forms on earth.
Open to all genders, nationalities, and singers over 18 not signed to a major label, the competition has built a reputation as one of the most respected vocal showcases in the world. Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of modern jazz: Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Laurin Talese, and Gabrielle Cavassa—all of whom have gone on to record acclaimed albums, win GRAMMY® Awards, and redefine what the jazz voice can be in the 21st century.
This year’s event arrives at a moment when jazz vocals are experiencing a renaissance. Artists are blending classic swing sensibilities with modern phrasing, storytelling, and genre-bending arrangements. The SASSY Awards, in this sense, are both a celebration of tradition and a forecast of what’s to come. Each singer brings her own interpretation of what jazz can mean today—intimate, daring, and alive.
For audiences, the evening offers a rare chance to witness the next generation of jazz storytellers in real time. The energy in the room—half concert, half coronation—captures the essence of why this competition endures. It’s not about imitation; it’s about evolution. It’s about finding that spark, that phrasing, that one note that carries both history and innovation in the same breath.
As Christian McBride often reminds audiences, “Sarah Vaughan didn’t just sing songs—she transformed them.” The same could be said of the voices about to take the NJPAC stage. Each finalist, in her own way, seeks not just to win, but to honor that legacy by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in jazz singing. And when the final note fades into applause on November 23, somewhere in that echo will be the unmistakable spirit of Sassy herself—smiling, swinging, and proud.The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, affectionately known as The SASSY Awards, returns this fall to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), promising another electrifying showcase of vocal artistry. Now in its 14th year, the competition continues to honor the spirit of the legendary Newark native whose voice reshaped the sound of jazz. On November 23, 2025, five young vocalists from around the globe will step onto NJPAC’s storied stage, each vying for a place in the lineage of jazz greats who’ve graced this annual event.
From nearly 200 entries across 27 countries, this year’s finalists represent both the diversity and vitality of contemporary jazz. Diamond Franklin from Philadelphia, Candace Jones from Hollywood, Florida, Katie Kortum from New York City, Julia Moscardini from Buenos Aires, and Emma Smith from London make up the 2025 roster. Each brings a unique sensibility to the mic—a distinct voice shaped by geography, culture, and deep reverence for the tradition of swing.
Judging them will be a panel as formidable as any in jazz. The lineup includes TONY-nominated singer and lyricist Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis, GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon, GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and NJPAC Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming Christian McBride, and Manhattan Transfer founding member and WBGO host Janis Siegel. Their combined expertise covers the entire spectrum of the jazz vocal idiom—from bebop to balladry, improvisation to interpretation.
The finalists will be evaluated on tone, phrasing, technique, and that elusive quality Sarah Vaughan herself embodied so naturally: the ability to tell a story through song. Hosted by WBGO’s Gary Walker, the night will also feature a performance by 2023 winner Tyreek McDole, whose own meteoric rise has become a testament to what this competition can do for an emerging artist.
Beyond the stage lights and applause, the stakes remain both tangible and symbolic. The first-place winner will take home a $5,000 cash prize, second place $1,500, and third $500—but the true reward is entry into a rare fraternity of jazz vocalists whose careers began with this very competition. Winning The SASSY Awards isn’t just a title; it’s a launching pad, a signal to the jazz world that a new voice has arrived.
The competition’s namesake, Sarah Vaughan—born in Newark in 1924—once stood in similar shoes. As a teenager, she won an amateur night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1942, a performance that caught the attention of Billy Eckstine and changed her life forever. That same spirit of discovery fuels the event today, linking past and present in a continuum of excellence that reminds audiences why jazz remains one of the most emotionally resonant art forms on earth.
Open to all genders, nationalities, and singers over 18 not signed to a major label, the competition has built a reputation as one of the most respected vocal showcases in the world. Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of modern jazz: Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Laurin Talese, and Gabrielle Cavassa—all of whom have gone on to record acclaimed albums, win GRAMMY® Awards, and redefine what the jazz voice can be in the 21st century.
This year’s event arrives at a moment when jazz vocals are experiencing a renaissance. Artists are blending classic swing sensibilities with modern phrasing, storytelling, and genre-bending arrangements. The SASSY Awards, in this sense, are both a celebration of tradition and a forecast of what’s to come. Each singer brings her own interpretation of what jazz can mean today—intimate, daring, and alive.
For audiences, the evening offers a rare chance to witness the next generation of jazz storytellers in real time. The energy in the room—half concert, half coronation—captures the essence of why this competition endures. It’s not about imitation; it’s about evolution. It’s about finding that spark, that phrasing, that one note that carries both history and innovation in the same breath.
As Christian McBride often reminds audiences, “Sarah Vaughan didn’t just sing songs—she transformed them.” The same could be said of the voices about to take the NJPAC stage. Each finalist, in her own way, seeks not just to win, but to honor that legacy by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in jazz singing. And when the final note fades into applause on November 23, somewhere in that echo will be the unmistakable spirit of Sassy herself—smiling, swinging, and proud.
For more information about The SASSY Awards, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com
