Registration for the 2027 Competition Now Open

I love music, dreams, scarifices, and the United States of America. The through-line, of this narrative, is the Great American Songbook. Absent the Great American Songbook, there would be no greater cultural identity, imparted to the world, and which continues to resonate today.

 

The Ella Fitzgerald Competition was launched in 2017, on the eve of her centennial anniversary, and in partnership with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. In 2017 the Songbook selection was the seminal recording “Ella and Basie”. Since then we have enlisted the Verve and Pablo recording labels, to identify the greatest lyricists and composers, of the 20th century:

 

• Cole Porter

• Harold Arlen

• Johnny Mercer

• Duke Ellington

• Jerome Kern

• Rodgers and Hart

• Ella and Louie

• George and Ira Gershwin

 

In 2027 we will honor the “First Lady of Song’s” Supercentennial on the occasion of her 110th birthday. It gives us great pleasure to announce that this year’s Songbook selection will be “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook”. Our song selections will be:

 

• Always

• Heat Wave

• Blue Skies

• Supper Time

• Change Partners

• I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

 

In the liner notes to this recording, and I quote,

 

“Irving Berlin and Ella Fitzgerald both came from modest origins, and both maintained a simplicity in preparation and unfussiness in presentation of their respective arts. Neither could ever be accused of taking a dark or cerebral approach; both specialized in making listeners feel good”.

 

And so should you. Although recorded in both small combo, and big band, audio submissions can be performed in any key.

 

Ella Fitzgerald came from the ghetto, and Irving Berlin from the Russian shtetl, but both emerged to become the greatest progenitors of the Great American Songbook imaginable. Together their music has transcended both time and history. From the bright lights to the big cities, to Hollywood too, they both personified the American dream.

 

Our ten-year journey has brought us to this inimitable moment and, over the next six months, we will travel this timeline together:

 

1. Competition Launch Date: November 1, 2026

2. Audio Submissions: Between November 1st through January 28, 2027

3. Adjudication Review: February 2027

4. Finalists Announced: Mid March 2027

 

This year our featured celebrity adjudicator will be Ms. Carla Cook: www.CarlaCook.com. Beyond being an esteemed vocalist, Ms. Cook is also a distinguished educator, and she currently serves on the faculty of the Juilliard School in Manhattan. Ms. Cook will be one of our two celebrity judges who have joined our growing number of celebrity judges:

 

• Rene Marie (2)

• Patti Austin

• John Pizzarelli

• Darden Purcell

• Tierney Sutton

• Jane Monheit

• New York Voices

• Vanessa Rubin

• Nicole Zuraitis

• Nnenna Freelon

• Sachal Vasandani

 

Mid March the five finalists will be announced and they will be invited to submit video presentations for final adjudication. The video presentation costs will be underwritten by the Blues Alley Jazz Society and the winners will be announced on Saturday, April 24th. Our first prize winner will perform alongside Ms. Carla Cook, on our world-renowned Blues Alley stage, and the announcement will be televised to our global audience. Our five finalists will receive honorariums as follows:

 

1. 1st Place Winner = $2,500.00

2. 2nd Place Winner = $1,000.00

3. 3rd Place Winners = $500.00

 

The Blues Alley Jazz Society is relentlessly pursuing the next generation of vocal talent, to appear on our global stage, and we hope that you are too.