It’s true: TJ really does have talent!
The curtains open, Kylan Snow, last year’s winner begins to sing. Most of the crowd has been eagerly awaiting this performance, and Snow did not disappoint. Performing a beautiful rendition of Etta James’ At Last, the crowd sways along. Kylan then moves to the piano. He plays a familiar tune. Relaxed, smiles creep across the faces of everyone in the audience. He is singing his original piece, Letter To Self. The audience explodes into applause. TJ’s Got Talent has begun.
The First act is Melissa Fife & Jessica Johnson. Both playing their instruments beautifully and in sync, they performed the Judds’ Grandpa. The combination of Jessica’s instrumental prowess and Melissa’s sweet and lovely singing created a new and exciting aspect to TJ talent.
Then, Kevin Palmer waltzed upon the stage. Lights? Check. Beats? Check. Hip Shades? Check. Then Kevin began rapping. But no, this was no lame mimicry, it was the real deal, in Kevin’s own original and catchy tune. Everybody was excited. Some audience members even rushed the stage. Not only did he bring energy and excitement to the night, his lyrics were clever, smooth, and hit the spot just right. When he said, “Put your hands up!” even the grannies were reaching for the roof.
All that excitement prepared the audience for the next performance, that of Mr. A’Jahn Simpson. With a flair for the theatrical, this young man walked out onto the darkly lit stage wearing a creepy mask. And then he started dancing. This kid was out of control, in the very best way possible. His dance style shifted and expanded and moved the audience right along with him. It was like being on a roller coaster ride. And when the music stopped, audience members were actually saddened.
Shanel Hughes was up next. Dazzling in her sparkly red ensemble and white gloves, she sang a soulful and sassy rendition of Woman. It had the crowd waving hands and shouting, “Um hmm, you go girl!” Shanel’s performance was a bold and refreshing change of pace.
And then there was Alex. Alex Kauhfold shocked the crowd with her creativity and audacity performing NWA’s popular song involving discontent with the current jurisprudence system. Alex was lively and cute, replacing parts of the original song that had explicit lyrics with her own interpretations. The crowd laughed, cheered and, best of all, bopped their heads to Alex’s smooth beats. She performed like a true G.
Alex’s smooth rapping was followed by Jay Lane‘s super fresh falsetto singing This Woman’s Work by Maxwell. Mr. Lane was surely a crowed-pleaser. He had everything right, including his tone of voice, his movements and his passion, while performing. He was a joy to watch.
The final act was a duo vocal and musical performance by Jesse Moya and Mitch Montgomery. They performed (in excellent key mind you) Swing Life Away by Rise Against. Amidst the numerous catcalls these boys really came through and did Rise Against, and rocked in general to a great honor.
It was now time to vote. The crowd was kept attentive and impressed by Brittany Duarte‘s fun and funky performance of the Fugees’ Killing Me Softly, and Dan Rios and Caitlin Croce‘s super sweet rendition of I’m Yours, by Jason Maraz.
Snow ended the show performing a new piece, Amor Di Mi Vida, making excellent use of his Spanish skills and his ability to captivate an audience. His finished his emceeing with the performance of Eric Benet’s Spend My Life With You, and the announcement of the winner.
The crowd is sitting on the edge of their seats. They hang on the emcee’s every word, waiting for the final announcement. The emcee smiles. ” And the winner of TJ’s Got Talent 2009 is… A’Jahn Simpson!” The audience jumps out of their seats cheering. A’Jahn takes the stage along with his older brother and does what he does best. He dances.
A’Jaun had this to say, “If you dance it doesn’t matter what other people think; just do what you have to do. When you do that you are able to be the best you can be, being different or not. Being different is the best thing you can do.”
There was little for one to complain about for this year’s Talent Show. TJ Choir Teacher Edwina Hebert, who planned and executed the entire evening and talent competition, did a fantastic job. There was a diversity and variety of talent. All the performers were well practiced, excellent in their crafts, and the show ran smoothly. The sound system in the auditorium is in desperate need of repair (as it cut in and out during a few of the performances), but other than that, the night, the event , and the talent were nothing short of amazing.
