NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans dining destination and live performance venue Roux Carré announced the Final Four contestants who have made it through three preliminary rounds to compete in the Roux Carré New Orleans Talent Search Winning Round on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at the House of Blues Parish Room, 225 Decatur St., at 8:00 p.m.
Aimed at the emerging musical talent of New Orleans, the talent search offers the chance for aspiring musical acts from across the greater New Orleans area to experience real world music industry performance opportunities, compete for seed capital, develop a fan-base and become the hottest act in New Orleans.
The Final Four contestants are:
• Jania McGee, R&B Singer.
McGee is a student at Loyola University who has a powerhouse vocal delivery.
•Ray Wimley and Cool Nasty, Hip-Hop.
Wimley is from New Orleans and performs on the sidewalk at Canal and Frenchmen Streets. Wimley’s urgent hip-hop lyrics are delivered in a bold staccato that bounces to the bands rhythm.
• Cole Williams Band, African Rock Band.
Cole Williams Band is an innovative, fearless and altruistic band who seamlessly blends genres with mastery and wisdom. Their mission is freedom and their sound is love.
• The Raie Benson Project, R&B Singer.
The Raie Project is headed by Raie, an unapologetically passionate and spiritually dynamic vocal lioness who brings a unique charm and raw elegance to her mindfully present audiences; audiences that crave punchlines and poetry as much as the beat and melody that carries the song. Raie sings to transform our broken hearts.
The 1st Place Grand Prize Winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize, a future concert performance opportunity at House of Blues New Orleans, a professional photo shoot, and a future performance at Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center’s Holiday on the Boulevard.
The 2nd Place winner will receive $1,500 cash prize.
The 3rd Place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
The 4th Place will receive a $500 cash prize.
The Top Ten Contestants were selected by a panel of judges. Three preliminary rounds were held on September 23, 30 and October 7, at the Roux Carré Stage where contestants presented their artistic talent in front of a live audience. Two contestant were eliminated after each round.
Judges evaluate each performer on vocal and/ or musical ability, audience response, overall quality of the performance, stage presence and creativity. Fans are able to experience the competition, and more through Roux Carre’s website and Social Media platforms. Contestants perform solo or as a group in one of the following musical genres: R&B, Hip-Hop, Caribbean, Latin, Brass Band, Funk, and/or Jazz. Music Industry professionals will select the finalists and winner with fans/audience members being able to select Fan favorite.
A project of Good Work Network, a 501(c)3 organization that provides micro-enterprise business development to minority- and women-owned businesses and members of the creative industries, the Roux Carré is a business accelerator for emerging food-preneurs and a showcase venue for up-and-coming performing and visual artists. Featured restaurants include: Estralita’s Express, Johnny’s Jamaican Grill, The Pupusa Lady, Splendid Pig, and the Youth Empowerment Project‘s Trafigura Work and Learn Juice Box. Good Work Network offers artists the Roux Carre’ Artists Workshop Series, which helps artists in branding and marketing, and can lead to performances on the Roux Carre’ stage.
Tickets to the Roux Carré New Orleans Talent Search Final Round are $10.00.
