::MUSIC NEWS::
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National Jazz Awards :
And The Winners Are ... Source: www.thestar.com - Ashante Infantry, Pop & Jazz Critic (May 15, 2009) With the move from a dance hall to a soft-seats theatre, the focus of the eighth 
annual
National Jazz Awards
shifted from schmoozing to appreciation. Instead of the dinner-dance set-up staged at Palais Royale in recent years, last night's celebration took place at Harbourfront Centre's Fleck Theatre. "We wanted a night of listening, not just partying," explained executive director Bill King, of the gathering that typically attracts about 500 jazz fans and musicians from across the country. "And with these great orchestras (National Jazz Orchestra, Yamaha All-Stars and an all-star band conducted by Darcy Hepner) we wanted a real stage space; all this music is quite intricate." The evening also featured performances by Real Divas, Chris Donnelly, Mario Allard Quintet, and Christine and Ingrid Jensen with Joel Miller. Veteran multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson earned the most hardware, taking the SOCAN Composer, Acoustic Band (for his quartet) and Jazz Recording (For Kenny Wheeler) categories. "He's such an extraordinary musician," King said. "He's become an elder jazz statesman but remained so active, constantly writing, composing and teaching. He's a mad man genius. (These wins) account for his volume of work in the past year." Determined by 7,200 online voters, other winners included: Sisters Euclid (Electric Band); David Braid (Keyboardist); John McLeod (Arranger); Molly Johnson (Female Vocalist); Eliana Cuevas (Latin Jazz Artist); Oliver Jones (Musician); Ross Taggart (Instrumentalist); Ian McDougall (Big Band); Bill Coon (Guitarist); and Eli Bennett (CBC Galaxie Rising Star). Guido Basso was named Allan Slaight Artist of Distinction and Bob DeAngelis wrested the Clarinetist title from perennial winner Phil Nimmons. Media awards went to Ottawa scribe James Hale and photographer Roger Humbert. Repeat winners from last year were: Hugh Fraser (Trombonist); Jodi Proznick (Bassist); Jesse Zubot (Violinist); Terry Clarke (Drummer); Joe Coughlin (Male Vocalist); Phil Dwyer (Saxophonist); Brad Turner (Trumpeter and Producer); Cellar Live (Record Label); Katie Malloch (Broadcaster); and the Vancouver Jazz Festival. Once again the West Coast cleaned up, sweeping more than a third of the 28 categories. Nominations are based on votes by music journalists, jazz festival producers, broadcasters and record industry people. |
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