This singer is all jazzed up because he’s won one of the Kaap’s most coveted music titles.
Austin-Lee Jacobs, 19, from Strandfontein, is this year’s GrandWest Open Mic Jazz winner.
Last year he finished Grade 12 at Groote Schuur High School and never doubted music was the career for him.
Austin says: “In Grade 7 I won the school’s Idols competition and then in high school I studied music and jazz and it was all more than just a hobby.
“This was the third time I entered the jazz competition and I told myself: “Austin, you’re not entering again if you don’t win this time.”
Bagging a prize package of R70 000, Austin says this sets him up for his musical journey.
“I want to develop my own jazz sound,” he says excitedly.
“My plan is to become a phenomenal jazz vocalist with my own sound. Like Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau and even Michael Buble.”
Austin had the backing of Heart FM Breakfast Show host Aden Thomas who was his
biggest fan as the competition neared the finals.
“It was so overwhelming because Aden was saying all these awesome things about me,” says the singer.
Austin is also the vocalist for local band Catch 23 which plans on releasing a single soon, but he says he will also be working on his own music.