First jazz competition in Mauritius
Mauritius jazz competition winners
Image by the Independent
It was held at the French Institute of Mauritius (IFM). Under the leadership of its director and founder Benedict Gauvrit and its president Alix Galmar, Tropical Jazz association based in Reunion, Mauritius was presented to the public The participants delivered a very good performance and Gauvrit Benedict repeatedly said, “I can tell you that the level is very high tonight, or else one would not find me among members of the jury.”
The jury comprised 50 per cent public and 50 per cent professional musicians in Mauritius.
These included Mary-Therese José (School of Jazz), Dean Nookadu (Conservatory of Music), John Christmas, jazz musician, Philippe Thomas, jazz musician, Yves-Alain Corporeau, director of IFM and Claudie Ricaud, academy director of Francois Mitterrand.
From 7 PM onwards, Jose Maria Theresa and her jazz team showcased a high-end performance.
The contest officially began at around 8 pm.
The first category was the youth, where no fewer than five contenders competed. Billy Chetty, John Mike Stone, Cedric Meutoo,
Oliver Samuel and Maria Salome Saio Rose were the competitors.
In the singers categoriesthree talented artistes, namely John Damien Elisa, Jason Lilly and Fabienne Pallany presented their numbers.
As the evening progressed, the audience’s enthusiasm increased.
The third and final category was presented in from of Kreol Jazz pioneer Jean Francois Christophe, Larry Nicholas Larcombe and Blues Quintet.
This category generated enthusiasm among the participants and members of the public.
Towards the end, the jury deliberations were focussed on results and at 11.35 pm, Eric Triton announced the results.
In the youth category, Jean Mike Stone won the first prize which was a weekend at Hotel Tamarin, a concert at the IFM and training at Francois Mitterrand.
In the group singing category, the victory of Fabienne Pallany came as no surprise as this performance was remarkable.
She won a trip to Reunion island and one-week accommodation at hotel Floralys and a large concourse at the Town Hall Meeting Maurice Saint-Leu.
Jean Francois Christophe has won the award in the category ‘musician confirmed’
This competition, which was broadcasted live by the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation(MBC), will in the near future be
released as a DVD for the public and partners in Mauritius, Reunion and Paris, so that the participants can find a wider audience.
