Jazz Journalists Association Announces 2010 Jazz Awards Finalists

Jazz Journalists Association
Announces 2010 Jazz Awards Finalists

Emerging new jazz talents and acclaimed stars, recording debuts and albums of historical importance, events producers, liner note writers, photographers, broadcasters and lifetime achievers in jazz journalism -- all are nominees up for consideration in the 2010 Jazz Awards, an initiative of the Jazz Journalists Association.

The JJA, a non-profit international professional organization of more than 300 writers, photographers, broadcasters and new media producers, today posted finalists in 41 categories of excellence in music-making, presentation and documentation for 14th annual Jazz Awards at its website JJAJazzAwards.com. Winners of the Awards, determined by a poll of JJA professional members in good standing, will be announced and celebrated at a gala afternoon event on June 14, 2010 at City Winery, New York.

Darcy James Argue, a 35-year-old Canadian-born composer and bandleader living in Brooklyn, is a first-time competitor named in five categories (Up & Coming Artist of the Year, Composer, Arranger, Big Band for his Secret Society and Record of the Year released between March 1 2009 and February 28 2010, for Infernal Machines). Other nominees for multiple awards include pianist Vijay Iyer (Musician of the Year, Composer, Record for his trio's Historicity, Small Ensemble and Pianist), reeds specialist Henry Threadgill (Musician, Composer, Record for This Brings Us To, Vol. 1 and Small Ensemble for his band Zooid), alto saxophonist Steve Lehman (Composer, Record for Travail, Transformation and Flow, Alto Saxophonist) and Maria Schneider (Composer, Arranger, and Large Ensemble for her Maria Schneider Orchestra).

Five out of six finalists for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz (Muhal Richard Abrams, Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Wayne Shorter and Randy Weston) are already National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters, and one (drummer Paul Motian) has been a fixture on the New York scene since recording in pianist Bill Evans's trio at the Village Vanguard in 1961. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's posthumously released Without A Song: Live in Europe 1969 is competing against The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions (1935 - 1946) and Ella Fitzgerald's Twelve Nights in Hollywood and three other contenders.

"The finalists for 2010 Jazz Awards reflect the depth of talent and breadth of styles that jazz encompasses today," said Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association, about the ballot. "Highly creative octagenarians such as Roy Haynes, Tony Bennett, Ornette Coleman, Lee Konitz, Bill Holman, Frank Wess, Bucky Pizzarelli and producer George Wein -- are celebrated alongside new generation musicians like Argue, Iyer, Lehman, composer John Hollenbeck, saxophonist Miguel Zenón, bassists Esperanza Spalding and Linda Oh, singer Gretchen Parlato, banjoist Bela Fleck, flutists Jamie Baum and Nicole Mitchell, clarinetist Evan Christopher, violinist Jenny Scheinman and producer Brice Rosenbloom. This suggests undiminished strength in an art form that's still less than 100 years old."

The JJA Jazz Awards are the only honors bestowed by any organization in the United States of excellence in jazz journalism. This year for the first time JJA voters will select a Blog of the Year along with Website, Periodical, Book, Best Liner Notes, Feature and Review Writer, Photographer, Broadcaster and a recipient of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism (won in 2009 by Mike Zwerin of Bloomberg News and formerly the International Herald Tribune, who died on April 2, 2010). Nominees this year for this prestigious Award are writers Stanley Crouch (New York), Paul deBarros (Seattle), Don Heckman (Los Angeles), Bill Milkowski (New York), and W. Royal Stokes (Elkins, W. Virginia, formerly of Silver Spring, MD).

Nominations for the JJA's Jazz Awards were filed by 60 JJA members over a month-long voting period; these nominees will be presented to the Association's entire membership, along with Photo of the Year entries (to be announced and posted atJJAJazzAwards.comon May 3) for a second voting round. The Jazz Awards themselves, engraved statuettes, have become objects of admiration since the Awards were launched in 1997.

The JJA's Jazz Awards gala, a fundraiser, will include introduction of a new coterie of "activists, advocates, aiders and abettors of jazz" who comprise the JJA's "A Team." The Awards event, to be MC'd by Terrance McKnight of WQXR-FM, will comprise both the Awards announcements and a reception featuring refreshments including Brother Thelonious Belgian Ale and wine produced on site at City Winery. Tickets will go on sale on May 3.

For further information go to www.JJAJazzAwards.com or contact Howard Mandel,President@JazzJournalists.org. A complete list of JJA Jazz Awards nominees follows.


2010 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards Nominations

1. Lifetime Achievement in Jazz
Muhal Richard Abrams
Jimmy Heath
James Moody
Paul Motian
Wayne Shorter
Randy Weston

2. Musician of the Year
Dave Douglas
Vijay Iyer
Joe Lovano
Sonny Rollins
Henry Threadgill

3. Composer of the Year
Darcy James Argue
John Hollenbeck
Vijay Iyer
Steve Lehman
Maria Schneider
Henry Threadgill

4. Up & Coming Artist of the Year
Darcy James Argue
Gerald Clayton
Darius Jones
Linda Oh
Esperanza Spalding

5. Events Producer of the Year
Todd Barkan, Dizzy's Club Coca-Colaat Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jack Kleinsinger, Highlights in Jazz
Andre Menard, Montreal Jazz Festival
Brice Rosenbloom, boomBOOM Presents: Winter Jazz Fest, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, (le) Poisson Rouge
George Wein, New Festival Productions LLC: CareFusion Jazz Festival New York, CareFusion Jazz Festival Newport, Newport Folk Festival

6. Record of the Year (CDs issued between March 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010)
Infernal Machines, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, New Amsterdam Records
Historicity, Vijay Iyer Trio, ACT Music
Travail, Transformation and Flow, Steve Lehman Octet, Pi Recordings
Folk Art, Joe Lovano, Blue Note Records
This Brings Us To, Vol. 1, Henry Threadgill Zooid, Pi Recordings
Esta Plena, Miguel Zenón, Marsalis Music

7. Historical Recording, Boxed Set, or Single CD Reissue of the Year (Note: Condensed editions of previously issued boxed sets are ineligible)
The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions (1935-1946), Mosaic Records
Twelve Nights in Hollywood, Ella Fitzgerald, Verve Music Group
Without a Song: Live in Europe 1969, Freddie Hubbard, Blue Note Records
Pieces of Jade, Scott LaFaro, Resonance Records
Saga of the Outlaws, Charles Tyler, Nessa Records
The Columbia Studio Trio Sessions, Denny Zeitlin, Mosaic Records

8. DVD of the Year
21st Century Chase, Fred Anderson, Delmark Records
Extraordinary Life and Music of a Jazz Legend, Svend Asmussen Shanachie
Live in Berlin & Stockholm 1968, Count Basie & His Orchestra, Impro Jazz
Thelonious Monk: American Composer, Medici Arts
Anita O' Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer, AOD Productions/Elan Entertainment
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker, Medici Arts

9. Record Label of the Year
Blue Note Records
Clean Feed Records
ECM
Pi Recordings
Sunnyside Records

10. Female Singer of the Year
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Roberta Gambarini
Sheila Jordan
Gretchen Parlato
Cassandra Wilson

11. Male Singer of the Year
Tony Bennett
Andy Bey
Freddy Cole
Kurt Elling
Giacomo Gates
Bill Henderson

12. Player of Instruments Rare in Jazz
Edmar Castaneda, harp
Bela Fleck, banjo
Grégoire Maret, harmonica
Scott Robinson, unusual reeds and brass
Daniel Smith, bassoon

13. Large Ensemble of the Year
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Maria Schneider Orchestra
Mingus Big Band
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

14. Arranger of the Year
Darcy James Argue
Carla Bley
John Hollenbeck
Bill Holman
Maria Schneider

15. Small Ensemble of the Year (<10>
Henry Threadgill Zooid
Joe Lovano Us Five
Mostly Other People Do The Killing
Vijay Iyer Trio
Wayne Shorter Quartet

16. Trumpeter of the Year
Terence Blanchard
Dave Douglas
Tom Harrell
Wynton Marsalis
Wadada Leo Smith

17. Trombonist of the Year
Steve Davis
Robin Eubanks
Wycliffe Gordon
Roswell Rudd
Steve Turre

18. Tenor Saxophonist of the Year
Fred Anderson
Joe Lovano
Tony Malaby
Branford Marsalis
Chris Potter
Sonny Rollins

19. Alto Saxophonist of the Year
Ornette Coleman
Lee Konitz
Steve Lehman
Rudresh Mahanthappa
Miguel Zenón

20. Flutist of the Year
Jamie Baum
Holly Hoffman
Nicole Mitchell
Lew Tabackin
Frank Wess

21. Baritone Saxophonist of the Year
Hamiet Bluiett
James Carter
Ronnie Cuber
Claire Daly
Gary Smulyan

22. Soprano Saxophonist of the Year
Jane Bunnett
Dave Liebman
Branford Marsalis
Evan Parker
Wayne Shorter
Steve Wilson

23. Clarinetist of the Year
Don Byron
Evan Christopher
Anat Cohen
Eddie Daniels
Ken Peplowski

24. Guitarist of the Year
Bill Frisell
Jim Hall
Lionel Loueke
Pat Metheny
Bucky Pizzarelli

25. Pianist of the Year
Kenny Barron
Vijay Iyer
Keith Jarrett
Jason Moran
Matthew Shipp

26. Organist of the Year
Joey DeFrancesco
Larry Goldings
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Gary Versace
Sam Yahel

27. Violinist of the Year
Regina Carter
Mark Feldman
Jenny Scheinman
Billy Bang
Mark O'Connor

28. Bassist of the Year (includes Acoustic & Electric)
Ron Carter
Charlie Haden
Dave Holland
Christian McBride
John Patitucci

29. Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year
Jason Adasiewicz
Gary Burton
Stefon Harris
Joe Locke
Steve Nelson

30. Percussionist of the Year
Cyro Baptista
Hamid Drake
Zakir Hussain
Kahil El'Zabar
Bobby Sanabria
Daniel Sadownick

31. Drummer of the Year
Brian Blade
Jack DeJohnette
Roy Haynes
Paul Motian
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Matt Wilson

32. Periodical of the Year
AllAboutJazz-New York
Cadence
Down Beat
JazzTimes
Signal To Noise

33. Website of the Year
AllAboutJazz.com
Jazz.com
JazzCorner.com
JazzTimes.com
PointOfDeparture.org

34. Blog of the Year
The Gig, Nate Chinen -- http://thegig.typepad.com

A Blog Supreme, Patrick Jarenwattananon -- http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme

Do The Math blog and webzine, Ethan Iverson,http://thebadplus.typepad.com/dothemath

JazzWax, Marc Myers, http://www.jazzwax.com

Rifftides, Doug Ramsey, http://www.artsjournal.com/rifftides

35. Best Book about Jazz
Jazz, Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux, W.W. Norton

I Walked With Giants: The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath, Jimmy Heath and Joseph McLaren, Temple University Press

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, Robin D.G. Kelley, Free Press

The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957 - 1965, Sam Stephenson

Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong, Terry Teachout, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

36. Best Liner Notes
The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions (1935-1946), by Dan Morgenstern
Classic Artie Shaw Bluebird and Victor Sessions, by John McDonough

37. Photo of the Year--Nominees for Photo of the Year will be announced and displayed after May 1 at www.JJAJazzAwards.com

38. The Helen Dance-Robert Palmer Award for Review and Feature Writing (Print and/or Online)
David Adler: Leterland (http://blog.adlermusic.com); JazzTimes; Philadelphia Weekly;The Philadelphia Inquirer; Time Out New York; AllAboutJazz-New York

Nate Chinen: The New York Times; JazzTimes

Gary Giddins: JazzTimes, Vintage magazine, The Independent(UK)

Marc Myers, JazzWax.com

Doug Ramsey, www.ArtsJournal.com/Rifftides

Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

39. The Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award for Broadcasting
Josh Jackson, Host of "The Checkout," "Live at the Village Vanguard," WBGO.org, Newark

Bobby Jackson, Music Director, WCPN, Ideastream, Solace.fm Cleveland

Gary Walker, Music Director, Host of "Morning Jazz," WBGO.org, Newark

Jim Wilke, Host, "Jazz After Hours" (Hatchcover Productions, Seattle, distributed by Public Radio International)

Linda Yohn, Music Director, weekday morning host, WEMU, Ypsilanti

40. The Lona Foote-Bob Parent Award for Photography
Alan Nahigian
Mitchell Seidel
Herb Snitzer

41. Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism
Stanley Crouch: Considering Genius: Writings on Jazz; The Artificial White Man: Essays on Authenticity; Kansas City Lighting: The Life and Times of Young Charlie Parker; Notes of a Hanging Judge: Essays and Reviews, 1979 - 1989; fiction; columnist, New York Daily News;JazzTimes, Village Voice</span>.

Paul deBarros: Seattle Times, Down Beat, co-founder Earshot Jazz, Jackson Street After Hours.

Don Heckman: The International Review of Music(http://iromwordpress.com), Notes from the Left Coast(http://notesfromtheleftcoast.blogspot.com); the Los Angeles Times,JazzTimes; 1960s-'70s: The New York Times, Village Voice, Down Beat, Metronome, the Jazz Review.

Bill Milkowski: JazzTimes, Modern Drummer, Guitar Player, Bass Player, Pulse Guitar Club(Italy), Jazzthing (Germany), Jazziz, Tower Pulse!, Down Beat, Fi magazine, Good Times(Long Island), Cityside (Milwaukee); Rockers, Jazzbos and Visionaries, Jaco: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Jaco Pastoruis, Swing It! An Annotated History of Jive, radio: overnight dj, WWOZ ("Milkman's Matinee").

W. Royal Stokes: Growing Up With Jazz; Living the Jazz Life; The Jazz Scene; Swing Era New York: The Jazz Photographs of Charles Peterson; former editor, JJA Jazz Notes and festival reviewer, Jazzhouse.org; Washington Post, JazzTimes, Down Beat; radio host, "I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say. . . ", "Since Minton's".

For media information, please contact:

DL Media · 610-667-0501
Don Lucoff · don@jazzpublicity.com


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