Gainesville’s Garilus Wins 1st Place at Amateur Night at the Apollo
Published on October 11, 2024
The City of Gainesville’s One Nation One Project (ONOP) GNV Talent Search Winner Emmanuel Garilus, a dazzling saxophone player, has taken his talent to new heights – winning two rounds of the nation’s longest-running talent competition, Amateur Night at the Apollo. He will return to Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater for the Nov. 13 semifinal round and, if he places in the top three, will compete in the June 25, 2025 Grand Finale for the top prize of $20,000.
Garilus began his journey by joining several dozen local young people who answered an open call to audition for ONOP GNV Artistic Director, and long-time Amateur Night producer, Marion Caffey. The Gainesville talent search was a foundational piece of the celebration to mark the successful end of the city’s ONOP initiative, a two-year project dedicated to reducing gun violence by promoting youth health and wellbeing through culture and the arts. Two of the young artists who triumphed through the audition rounds received an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to perform at the Apollo.
Less than eight weeks later, Garilus was the first of the two to make the journey to New York City, where he swiftly transitioned from local talent contest winner to playing his saxophone on the Apollo’s famous stage for the crowd known as “The World’s Toughest Audience.” He selected “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston for the make-or-break moment.
“When choosing the song,” said Garilus, “I was looking for something with deep emotional impact that also gave me the chance to express its power through my playing. Songs with a wide range and dynamic feel are always my favorite, and this one felt like the perfect fit for the Apollo.”
Although Garilus saw nothing past the stage lights on the night of that first appearance, he heard the crowd singing along and shouting. Their response was crucial because, at Amateur Night, the audience selects the winner. The goal of each performer is to get the loudest cheers on the theater’s sound level meter.
“It was really suspenseful because I didn’t turn around to check the meter. I didn’t realize I’d won until the host announced it, and it felt amazing! It was an honor just to be there, but winning while doing something I truly love was definitely unforgettable.”
During his trip to New York City, Garilus also explored, capturing the Harlem vibe with photos and videos and trying the Big Apple’s viral “chop cheese” deli sandwich. All of it—being there, playing his sax on that stage where the voices of Black entertainment have been elevated worldwide for decades—has been life changing.
“My career goal as a musician is to continue playing larger arenas while also leading others in worship through my music. This talent search has provided me with invaluable exposure, and I’m confident it’s brought me closer to realizing my aspirations.”
Dancer Tailyn Jones was the second winner of Gainesville’s Apollo Theater Talent Search. She will make her first Amateur Night at the Apollo apperance on Dec. 18.