Open Mic Jazz Competition

Auditions for the 2011 amateur Open Mic Jazz Competition at GrandWest opens on Wednesday 3 August and runs through to 21 September at Jackson Hall.  Would-be songbirds need to present themselves at Jackson Hall on audition nights, and the competition is closed to anyone under the age of 18 and professional singers. The quarter finals for the top 24 entrants will be held every Wednesday from 28 September to 5 October, followed by the semi finals for the top 12 entrants on Wednesday, 12 October. The final top six entrants will do battle for the top spot on Wednesday, 19 October. Contestants will get to perform two songs each on the night. The winner of the contest will receive R25 000 in cash plus a two-night stay at the Table Bay with breakfast and dinner at the Atlantic Grill included. Wilde & Marr sound suppliers will also sponsor a microphone for the winner.  The second and third placed will receive R7 500 and R5 000 respectively. Entrants will be required to choose the song they intend performing from a selection of well known classics such as Moon River, My way, Fever, Route 66, The way you look tonight, Crazy and Making Whoopie. To assist the entrants with their audition, they will be accompanied by accomplished musicians Andrew Ford playing a baby grand piano, Westlin Rustin on double bass and Ivan Bell on drums. The three judges will focus on vocal technique, song interpretation, stage presence and audience response so friends, family and fans are encouraged to cheer and support their favourite entrants.  This year, the judges will be popular personalities Bev Scott-Brown, Clarence Ford and Neil Potgieter. Last year’s winner, Sandile Gontsana will however, perform at the beginning of each audition round except on 20 and 31 August, when he has been selected to perform with the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band. Entry forms can be collected from Jackson Hall and the song list is available on www.heart1049fm.co.za.  For more information, tune into Heart 104.9fm. Registration opens at 20h00 and the competition begins at 21h00. Entry is free.