Casio Music UK, one of the world’s most renowned producers of electronic keyboards and digital pianos, today reveals the 16 talented musicians who have earned their place in the live final of its beloved singer-songwriter competition, Casio Sessions.
Now in its fourth year, Casio Sessions continues to give rising musicians a stage to showcase their talent. This year, the winner will walk away with a fantastic prize, a Casio PX-S7000 piano with a matching bench worth £2,549, plus an exclusive mastering studio session for their winning song.
On Wednesday 23rd September, the finalists will bring their original compositions to life in front of a crowd of music enthusiasts at the iconic Ninety One Living Room on Brick Lane. A panel of music industry judges will be watching the performances closely, assessing the musicians on their songwriting and technical skills as well as their stage presence. Each artist will perform on Casio’s award-winning PX-S7000 in the striking Harmonious Mustard finish, the very same model the eventual winner will take home.
The 16 finalists were chosen from a nationwide pool of talent, with entrants asked to submit a video performing an original composition on the piano, putting both their songwriting and performance skills to the test. The competition continues to be a genuine springboard for some of the UK’s most exciting new talent, helping performers sharpen their craft in front of a live audience.
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, said: “Huge congratulations to our 16 finalists! Now in its fourth iteration, we’re excited to see the competition continue to grow and provide a platform for the next generation of musicians to showcase their talent. Good luck to everyone!”
Casio Music UK is committed to championing grassroots musical talent and is delighted to support and elevate the careers of such inspiring musicians. The competition’s inaugural winners, Stefan Mahendra and May Payne, have gone on to release several EPs, with Stefan recently performing his first-ever sold-out UK show. Their continued success demonstrates the role Casio Sessions can play as a springboard for emerging talent, helping artists to develop their careers and reach new audiences.
To celebrate the return of Casio Sessions, last year’s winner Sofia Kirwan-Baez will release her winning song Perfect Imperfections on the day of the final. Sofia’s music draws upon her experience as both an opera performer and jazz singer, combining playful lyricism with jazz-inspired melodies.
Free tickets to the live final on Wednesday 23rd September at Ninety One Living Room are available here. Finalists are listed below.
- Vera Lis
- Benjamin Smith
- Karolina Micor
- James Saldivar
- Akin Amusan
- Sophie Penman
- Kevin Lim
- Max White
- Sami Semaani-Rodriguez
- Lauren Mikki
- Quarry
- Daisy Gill
- Kayte
- Enkay
- Betsan Lees
- Gabriel Chanin
