Talent shows bring people from all walks of life, and some personalities are given a real opportunity to shine when they’re placed in front of a camera for national television. For 14-year-old Jacob Norton from Essex, this is certainly the case. This talented individual with a vibrant personality would win the judge’s hearts when he appeared on The Voice in 2020.
Not only would Jacob win the hearts of the judges and entire audience, but he would blow them away with his vocal performance of Fred Astaire’s “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” This glamorous rendition shows the wealth of talent that this young man possesses, and highlights his dazzling, care-free personality. Watch his electric audition in the video below:
Not only did Jacob excel in his vocal performance, but he added plenty of flair and fun to his routine and dominated the stage, moving around it to make everybody feel involved. To this kind of music, participation is crucial and Jacob certainly nailed that element. This kind of attention to detail in show business is rare at such a young age, and it shows that he truly has a wealth of potential if he continues to perform.
Prior to his performance, we get a glimpse of who Jacob is. Fun, bubbly, and a beam of positivity, he mentions that he is often mistaken for being older than he is. When he sings, it’s no wonder that people guess that he isn’t fourteen; his surprisingly deep baritone voice perfectly matches the jazzy vibes of Fred Astaire’s swinging classic. Young Jacob even sounds strikingly similar to the vocal legend; see for yourself in Astaire’s original performance below:
The judge’s reactions were priceless, with all three of them accepting Jacob as soon as his baritone vocals began to shine in his audition. The American singer-songwriter and rapper will.i.am, who formed the Black Eyed Peas in 1995, was astounded by Jacob and commented that “Puttin’ On The Ritz” is one of his favourite songs. He comments that Jacob’s voice is very deep, to which the young man simply replies “Yeah” in a way which makes the audience roar with laughter with appreciation of his personality.
Fred Astaire was a legend of the American entertainment scene. Dubbed the ‘greatest popular-music dancer of all time’, he was a true Jack Of All Trades. Singing, dancing, songwriting, performing, and presenting were all in his repertoire, and he influenced many to pursue a career in the arts over the course of his own lengthy career. He achieved many accolades throughout his life, including Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globes.
Unfortunately, Jacob didn’t make it very far in The Voice after his audition. That hasn’t stopped him pursuing his music and honing his craft, however. He has also appeared on America’s Got Talent and Das Supertalent, which has given him international praise and recognition. He continues to upload covers online when he can, with one of his best being a rendition of Michael Bublé’s “Such A Night.” If you would like to see more from Jacob Norton, you can follow him on Instagram.