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The 2014 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition

The 2014 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition

The Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition showcases up-and-coming vocal talents from around the world. The contest takes place each year during the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Shure has been honoured to sponsor the competition since its inception back in 2003.

In 2014, nine talented singers were invited to take part in the semi-finals on July 11 at the Petit Théâtre at the Montreux Palace Hotel. The jury, headed by US jazz singer Sweet Georgia Brown, first picked three finalists to compete in the last round on July 12. After impressive performances and difficult deliberations, the jury crowned 20-year-old American Alita Moses the winner for her compelling renditions of “Four” by Miles Davis, Gershwin's “Someone To Watch Over Me” and Magda Giannikou's “Amour T’es Lá?”

Alita Moses, Winner of the 2014 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition

Yes, I was nervous, but I just still tried to be me and have fun with the songs and the band – because they are phenomenal.

Watch Alita’s finals performance below.

Laura Perrudin and Myriam Bouk Moun, both from France, won the second and third prizes respectively. All three finalists recieved €2,000 worth of Shure equipment each, as well as other prizes.

The 2014 edition of contest was notable for its collaborative atmosphere: At one point during rehearsals for the semi-finals, the nine supposed competitors broke into a spontaneously improvised circle song, to the delight of everyone watching.

As in years past, former competition winner Sabine Kühlich was backstage to offer her insights and speak with the finalists and jury president.

Watch an interview with Alita and Sweet Georgia Brown below.

See all videos from Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition

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