Watch CBS News

Positively Philadelphia: Alita Moses, Student Exemplar of Jazz

By Lauren Lipton

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This may be the first time you've heard of jazz singer Alita Moses, but it definitely won't be the last.

She's a senior jazz vocal major at the University of the Arts, and recently won a major worldwide singing competition: the Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition, in Switzerland.

She recalls the moments just before and after the winner's name was announced:

"I said, 'Oh my God, there's one place left and my name hasn't been called yet!'  Like, even thinking about it gives me chills a little bit. My mom starts bawling her eyes out, and I was just nervous-laughing the whole time because I couldn't... I was seriously in shock, like I could not believe that I had won the whole competition. It was amazing, honestly."

Why did this West Hartford, Conn. native choose Philadelphia and the University of the Arts?

"It's the perfect-sized city," Moses tells Positively Philadelphia.  "It's so diverse.  Everyone is so different.  Philly always had a special place in my heart from the get-go, so I definitely fell in love with it and decided to come here."

 

----

And what's next for her?

"I definitely have a dream and a vision of someday being a touring artist.  Going all over, being a recording artist and a performing artist, all at the same time.    I want to make some sort of a difference in the world of music. "

Hear the extended interview with Alita Moses in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 8:33)...

Alita Moses

 

And, for this week, that's "Positively Philadelphia!"

"Positively Philadelphia" main page

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.