Best concert you've attended

Dire Straits - September 1985, SDSU Open Air Theatre, Brothers in Arms Tour

Prince- Purple Rain Tour (1984) here in Toronto with Sheila E opening- unforgettable...

The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (also known as The SASSY Awards), held annually at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), has honored the following winners:

• 2025: Kate Kortum (Houston, TX), who received the top prize and a $5,000 cash award. 

• 2024: April May Webb (Edison, NJ), who won the 13th annual competition. 

• 2023: Tyreek McDole (St. Cloud, FL), the second male vocalist to win the contest’s 12-year history at that time. 

• 2022: Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso (Veracruz, Mexico), who won the 11th annual competition. 

• 2021: Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim were announced as co-winners of the competition held in June 2021. 

• 2020: Information is missing from the search context regarding the 2020 winner (the competition was likely canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, as the 10th annual winner was listed in 2021).

• 2019: G. Thomas Allen (Chicago, IL), the first male vocalist to win the 10th annual competition. 

• 2018: Laurin Talese.

• 2015: Arianna Neikrug.

• 2013: Jazzmeia Horn.

• 2012: Cyrille Aimée.

Earlier winners listed in the competition’s history include Ashleigh Smith (2014), Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, and Samara Joy (2019, who later won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2023).  The competition is open to singers over 18, of all genders and nationalities, who are not signed to a major label. 

I missed the 1st 2 years, then every show until covid, started up again, one of the best musical events you will ever attend, in the wonderful small theater at NJPAC

Typical batch of contestants (occasionally men), April May Webb won

Here's after the show, a restaurant named Nico, in the building

Always just before Thanksgiving, if you can get there, you will love it.

My most memorable concerts were shows that didn’t actually happen. Tom Waits falling off the stage of the Washington University chapel in 1976, before playing a note. Mink DeVille being booed off the St Louis Opera House stage by fans of Mahogany Rush, for whom Mink was opening. Mink played 1.5 songs. But, these, of course, are unhappy memories.

Shows I saw as a teenager and young adult stand out as my most thrilling concert experiences:

Grande Ballroom, Detroit: MC5 (once, 1970 or so, backed by the Flamin’ Groovies, who were sensational) and the Stooges each knocked me out more than once; Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Van Morrison, circa 1968; The Who & Cocker, 1969; the Faces, 1969.

Easttown Theater, Detroit: Eric Burdon and War, Ten Years After, Mountain, 1969-70; Mad Dogs and Englishmen, 1970; Capt Beefheart, 1971; Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Dr John, 1971.

J Geils at Cinderella Ballroom, Detroit, 1972

Mingus, Strata Gallery, Detroit, 1973

CBGBs: Mink DeVille and Talking Heads, 1976; Television, 1976-77?

E St Band, St Louis Opera House, 1978

Human Arts Ensemble, a church basement in N St Louis, 1978-9?

I hadn’t intended to go on so long, but the hits just keep coming! One more for good measure:

Art Ensemble of Chicago, Detroit Institute of Arts, 1984

Deodato and Earth, Wind, and Fire. 1974, at Waikiki’s park only steps from the famed International Market Place. I was 18, and serving Uncle Sam at Pearl Harbor. Those were the days!