Effortless voice takes Sacha Vee international

Sacha Vee. Photo: SUPPLIED

This is the third in a four-part series looking at previous performers in the National Youth Jazz Competition.

Christchurch singer Sacha Vee, now based in Amsterdam, began performing from an early age.

Her talent as a jazz vocalist was recognised at the age of 16 when she won Best Jazz Vocalist at the National Youth Jazz Competition.

Known for a "voice beyond her years", Sacha is now performing internationally. Her recent collaboration with Polish hip hop star O.S.T.R reached Platinum status with more than 10 million views on Youtube.

With a voice that falls effortlessly somewhere between Erykah Badu and Joss Stone, make sure you check out her new single, Hey Sugar, due to be released next month.

When did you compete in the National Youth Jazz Competition?
Won Best Vocalist in 2001, yes! That's 14 years ago! I was 16, fearless and raring to go!

What have you been doing since then?
I was recently asked to give a workshop at the Christchurch Jazz School where I studied jazz vocals in 2004/5. It was very overwhelming and immensely satisfying to look back over the last 10 years. Some highlights in New Zealand have been headlining National Jazz Festivals, being featured on over 20 albums and releasing and touring my own original EP. I was a finalist on The Voice of Holland which led to touring with Candy Dulfer. I will be releasing my brand new EP Rising One in the coming months. It is no easy road, but luckily I also enjoy teaching so I give vocal workshops and am also in charge of the hip hop/soul singers at the prestigious Herman Brood Academy in Holland.

What instrument do you play?
Piano

How did your competition success affect your career choices?
Before I started to concentrate on singing I was more into sports and dancing. After a bad injury I joined the St Andrew's College Jazz Band (lead by Michael Lawrence) which led to the competition. I had already received nice feedback from local reviews, family and friends but wasn't completely convinced I could make a career out of it. When I heard my name being read out as the winner I knew then that there was no going back!

What was the best thing about the competition for you?
The best thing about the competition was we were all treated like professional musicians and so we played with that frame of mind. The environment was also bursting with talent and so that vibe rubbed off and suddenly you had to step up your game. A little healthy competition hurts nobody.

- The 38th National Youth Jazz Competition will be held at Baycourt during the National Jazz Festival. For tickets phone 0800 842 538 or 07 577 7188 or see www.ticketek.co.nz or www.jazz.org.nz