GRANDWEST OPEN MIC JAZZ 2013 NEARS ITS CLIMAX

 The Quarter Finals have been held every Wednesday since 9 October 2013 and, from 23 October, moves to Hanover Street for the Semi Finals and finals on 30 October.

 Over the past five years, the GrandWest Open Mic Jazz singing Contest has attracted an incredible range of undiscovered talent. Entrants of all ages, across all communities, from all walks of live have wowed the audience with not only their vocal range but their personal stories too. One such story is that of policeman and Quarter Finalist Jean Carlo Ongansie from Brakenfell.

 Jean comes from a musical family and has always wanted to be a singer.  As a child he learnt to play the violin, but due to financial constraints, had to stop his lessons. When he was 15, his Mother inspired him to play the classical guitar. Just for fun, Jean got an idiots guide to the guitar from his local library, and taught himself to play the acoustic guitar as well. Besides having a natural talent for playing musical instruments, he has always enjoyed singing and spends many hours listening to the greats and learning from them at the same time.

 On leaving school, Jean joined the SAPS and after initially working as an Investigating Officer, is now a Social Crime Prevention Officer. Although he works in a stressful environment, his music happily provides him with a relaxing escape.

 He has performed at carnivals and talent shows, and as much as he would like to make a career out of music, luck has not been on his side, so far. He hopes that the Open Mic Jazz competition will be the opportunity that opens doors for him.

 The winner of the 2013 GrandWest Open Mic contest will receive R25 000 in cash plus a Shure Sm55 microphone from Wild & Marr, a demo recording session at Nuthouse Studios, Vocal Mentoring from Spotlight Music and Vocal Lessons from the Cape Music Institute, as well as a portfolio shoot from Flash & Lash of Madness and an invitation from espAFRIKA to perform at their Cape Town International Jazz Festival free Community Concert which takes place on Green Market Square.

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