The Australian jazz music industry was out in force last night for the 10th Annual Australian Jazz Bell Awards at the Regent Theatre.
Leader of the Opposition, The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP gave the opening address to an audience which ranged from jazz music fans, to exciting new jazz performers and legends of the Australian Jazz scene. The resurgence of jazz music in Australia continues to make this one of the most exciting nights in Australian music-a night celebrating innovation and tradition in music.
Hosted by Tracy Curro, the atmosphere was buzzing when Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy announced BRIAN BROWN as the newest inductee into the Australian Jazz Hall Of Fame in recognition of his outstanding career.
Albert Dadon AM, Chairman of the Jazz Bell Awards said “It is exciting to see the awards getting bigger and better every year. We have amazing jazz talent in Australia and we are privileged to have the Jazz Bell Awards to pay tribute to that talent. We congratulate all this year’s winners.”
Established in 2003 these awards are named in honour of Australian Jazz pianist Graeme Bell, to recognise and encourage excellence in the performance, recording and presentation of jazz in Australia.
The Australian Jazz Bell Award winners share a total prize pool of $40,000 - $5,000 per category.
The 2012 Australian Jazz Bell Award winners are:
The winner for Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album
- Kristin Berardi Meets The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra,
The winner for Most Original Australian Jazz Album
- Peter Knight, Fish Boast of Fishing
The winner for Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album
- Nick Haywood Quartet, 1234
The Winner for Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album
- Allan Browne, Collected Works Volume II: Fifty Years of New Orleans Jazz
The winner for Best Australian Jazz Song of the Year
- Luke Howard & Janos Bruneel, “Spir”, Open Road
The winner for Best Australian Jazz Ensemble
- Andrea Keller Quartet
The winner of The Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year
- Alex Boneham
www.bellawards.org
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