The Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition
CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SINGING SUCCESS

Natasha Meister

2009

After her return from a stint in Canada, Natasha Meister attracted the attention of veteran songwriter Tim Parr who reintroduced the first winner of the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition to the local music scene. It didn’t take long for this talented singer and songwriter to receive offers from Cape Town’s best musicians and soon the Natasha Meister Band was formed with drummer Paul Tizzard and Roger Bashew on bass. As the lead singer of South Africa’s hottest blues ensemble, Natasha has a great Motown-style voice, plays phenomenal electric and acoustic guitar and is a gifted songwriter. Her first album Halfway, Natasha Meister Band, consists entirely of her own composition and is available as an indie release.

Sandile Gontstana

2010

After graduating with his Performers Diploma in Music at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music, Sandile went to Spain to do Motown Tribute Shows. On return to home soil, he then completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Music (Jazz Singing) and in 2010 was chosen to be part of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band as the lead singer. Later that year, Sandile went on to win the Open Mic Singing Competition before reuniting with friends to form the Sandile Gontsana Band. In 2013, Sandile was invited to Australia to perform in Disney’s The Lion King Musical. He is now based in the U.K. doing the same production in London’s West End.

Spha Mdlalose

2011

Spha’s love for jazz music flourished from a young age. Shortly after matriculating, she went on to study a Bachelor of Music at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music. In her years as a student, she enjoyed a budding career and performed with the Mike Campbell Symphonic Orchestra on numerous occasions. To date, she has performed alongside some of the greats including Bheki Khoza, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Micasa, Oliver Mtukudzi, Neo Muyanga, Sibongile Khumalo, Kabomo, Monique Bingham, Neville D and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. To complement her long list of collaborations, Spha has also featured at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and was fortunate to tour with Grammy Award winner Josh Groban when he visited South Africa on his Straight To You tour. Spha is currently working on her debut album, which she hopes will showcase her myriad musical influences.

Candice Thornton

2012

With her 1950s-inspired look and sultry voice, Candice is performing her heart out in Cape Town. Her latest single, entitled Superhero, is doing well on local radio stations and she has featured on numerous episodes of SABC 2’s Musiek Roulette. Candice recently launched an all-female group called The Monroes and is working hard to market the band while exploring her own style of music.

Sadé Ross

2013

After studying Jazz Performance at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music, Sadé went on to produce shows at Stardust Restaurant while teaching and mentoring young singers. She has worked with the likes of Josh Groban, Karen Zoid and the many South African artists involved in the Heineken Symphonic Rock Concert.

Zoë Modiga

2014

As one of the most successful winners of the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition, Zoë’s love for music started at a young age which later inspired her to study music at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. Over the past few years, Zoë has been fortunate enough to be part of celebrated festivals including Aardklop Festival, Artscape Youth Jazz Festival, Joy of Jazz, Fete De La Musique, Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival, Fête De La Musique, Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, the Red Bull Music Festival, Starlight Classics and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

On these respected platforms, she’s had the privilege of sharing the stage with the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Lira, Mafikizolo, Simphiwe Dana and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

With aspirations to pursue a multifaceted career in which her musical talents are both challenged and inspired, Zoë has won numerous talent competitions and accolades – including the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition for singing (2015); a Mbokodo Award for Music (2018); and three Mzansi Jazz Awards (2018). She also performed at the 2010 Soccer World Cup Opening Ceremony and was nominated for Best Jazz Album and Best African Artist at the 24th SAMAs at Sun City in 2018.

Adelia Louw

2015

Adelia got her "jazz feet’ wet when she tagged along with a friend to the rehearsals of the Delft Big Band, a project devised to keep youngsters off the dangerous streets of the suburb in which she was raised. She became a soloist for the group and, shortly thereafter, received a scholarship to attend summer school at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. In the year that she won the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition, Adelia was afforded the chance to perform for Ahmed Kathrada, a veteran of the South African liberation struggle. Inspired by the likes of Natalie Cole, Diane “Deedles” Schuur, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald, Adelia is well on her way to becoming one of South Africa’s most veritable jazz vocalists. Watch this space...

Austin-Lee Jacobs

2016

Austin-Lee Jacobs was just 19 when he won the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition. Raised in Strandfontein, his love for music was nurtured from a very young age. “In Grade 7 I won the school’s Idols competition and in high school I studied music and jazz. When I did the OMJ singing auditions
for the third time, I told myself: ‘Austin, you’re not doing this if you don’t win this time.’” he recalls.

Some of the highlights of Austin’s musical journey include performing at the free community concert
for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival where he shared the stage with Shakatak, Lira and Judith Sephuma. He has also performed at the Nederburg Picnic Pops and at Jazz On The Lawn which takes place at St Joseph’s Marist School in Cape Town annually.

Speaking on his future plans, Austin says: “I want to be a phenomenal jazz vocalist with my own sound like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau and even Michael Buble.” Austin is currently the lead vocalist for Catch 23, a Cape Town-based ensemble that is set to release its first single soon.

Ruby Truter

2017

Winning the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition played a major role in Ruby’s growth which, she says, “help put me on the map”. Often referred to as the ‘2017 OMJ Winner’, Ruby is still enjoying the afterglow of her victory. “The final night was a turning point for me, both personally and musically. Winning the OMJ competition not only restored my faith in my talent but it assured me that I can make
a success of my music career.” Since winning the coveted title, Ruby has spent a lot of time honing her craft and developing her own unique sound. As a musician, she feels “it’s not enough to depend on a sharp musical ear, which is why I’m learning the theoretical side of music. I’ve learning piano and the bass, which will be great for song compositions in the future.”