Release – Celebrated jazz vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud has secured the Jazz category award at the 2024 InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA). These prestigious annual awards highlight outstanding global talents across multiple genres, recognizing musical excellence from artists worldwide.
Marie-Claire, who hails from Dominica and was raised in the Bronx, New York City, expressed her excitement over this accolade: “Winning ‘Best of America Jazz’ for my original song CHASIN’ RAINBOWS is incredibly meaningful because it allows my message of positivity and perseverance to reach a wider audience.”
The 2024 competition attracted submissions from over 55 countries, showcasing the event’s commitment to promoting diversity and unity in music. A total of 116 winners were recognized across genres, including Flamenco, Reggae, New Age, Asian Pop, and Jazz, with entries categorized by geographic regions from Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East.
“We celebrated not just individual melodies, but a unified global symphony, showcasing artists from diverse cultures and backgrounds,” stated the Founder & Executive Director of ICMA.
Expert judges from the music and entertainment industries assessed entries based on originality, message, melody, harmony, composition, and production quality. Winners, including Marie-Claire, will benefit from various career-enhancing opportunities, such as scholarships to the DIY Music School’s Music Industry Online Course, mentoring sessions with judges, promotional support, and official award certificates.
Currently, Marie-Claire is working on her new jazz album, CARAVAN, with a projected release date in late October 2024. A frequent performer on jazz stages, she regularly collaborates with acclaimed pianists and is well-known at the Scarlet Jazz Lounge. Previously, she showcased her talents in the one-woman show “The Great American Songbook at the Movies,” hosted at the Thompson Hotel Central Park.
In recent performances, Marie-Claire took the stage in Honolulu at the Hawaii Classical Music International Competition Winner’s Concert and headlined a sold-out show in Maui’s Jazz Maui Sunset Jazz Series. She also recently made her film debut in $FREE99, set to appear at major upcoming film festivals, and debuted Off-Broadway in Tennessee Williams’ one-act play “Hello From Bertha” in 2022.
Her illustrious career has seen her grace the stages of renowned venues, including Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, New York City Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Small’s Jazz Club in Jamaica. She has performed at prominent international festivals, such as the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and the Cartagena Jazz Festival.
Awarded the NYC Caribbean Heritage Award and recognized by the NAACP for her career achievements and community service, Marie-Claire is a versatile soprano, excelling in Opera, Jazz, and Musical Theatre, as well as songwriting. She has also received accolades from the New York State Senate, New York City Hall, and the United Nations.
Stay tuned for more news and updates on Marie-Claire’s upcoming performances.
