Turner prize for young singer on the rise

Jazz singer Charles Turner, whose new album ‘Dreamers’ has been featured regularly on Jazz FM, has won the the first Duke Ellington Center for the Arts'  Jazz Vocal Competition in New York. Hosted by the founder, Duke Ellington’s dancer and choreographer grand-daughter Mercedes Ellington, it was part of the 40th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. 22 singers were featured, both male and female.

Ms. Ellington said, ”The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts was founded in 2004 with a mission to preserve and advance into the 21st century and beyond the creative and philosophical legacy of Duke Ellington, an American icon who is one of the most prolific musical geniuses of the 20th century, through performances and education. This Vocal Competition, featuring up and coming jazz vocalists from diverse backgrounds and providing them with public and media recognition, is something Duke would strongly support."

Charles received a cash prize for coming first, as well as an invitation to perform at the ‘Ring Dem Bells’ concert at the Landmark In The Park space in New York, December 8th.