Watch Caleb Sasser’s Blind Audition for Season 24 of The Voice

Deviation from the style of a famous song during the NBC Blind Auditions. Voice can be a dangerous game. If the performance is too unusual, it can turn off coaches and lead to a situation where the chair won’t turn.

However, if done correctly, putting your own unique spin on a particular ballad can charm coaches, showing them that the participant is both creative and confident in their vocal abilities. Caleb Sasser, a 27-year-old music teacher living in Los Angeles, fell into the latter camp on Tuesday night (Oct. 10) with a captivating cover of Toni Braxton’s “Another Sad Love Song,” which he infused with pop and jazz influences. . and R&B.

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His risk paid off when Niall Horan and Gwen Stefani simultaneously spun around in their chairs just seconds before the performance began. It took Rebbe McEntire and John Legend a few more seconds, but eventually they too turned around.

Watch how Caleb Sasser’s cover of Toni Braxton got 4 chairs excited Voice

Mr. Legend immediately gained the upper hand when he asked the soft-spoken Sasser about his musical influences. “I love Toni Braxton, I love Anita Baker,” the singer responded. “Some of my biggest influences have been Jazmine Sullivan and John Legend.”

Realizing that their chances of getting elected had just taken a significant hit, Horan and Stephanie threw up their arms (and legs) in semi-defeat. “We all just need to tell you how wonderful you are, okay?” Stephanie said, adding that she “fought hard” against Legend.

“The ease with which you sing is so beautiful, in the most beautiful, down-to-earth, smiling way you can do it,” Horan continued. “I was just watching you while (John and Gwen) were talking to you and I thought, ‘This is the nicest person I’ve ever met in my life.’

McEntire, whose acclaimed sitcom Sasser grew up with, we might add, was the last to speak, admitting that Sasser’s voice gave her a tremendous sense of inner peace. “Many years ago, I recorded a duet album and I promised you that if I heard your voice, I would beg you to come and sing a duet with me,” she said.

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However, in the end, Sasser decided to side with Legend. “Caleb is a great addition to Team Legend,” the coach concluded. “What a beautiful, rich tenor. He makes some really musical and tasty choices in the way he runs and the way he stylizes the song. I love working with such artists.”