Winners Announced for the 2014 Australian Jazz Bell Awards

The cream of the Australian jazz community gathered in Melbourne’s elegant Plaza Ballroom on May 1st to recognise outstanding achievements by Australian jazz musicians – based on albums and performances from 2013 – at the annual Australian Jazz Bell Awards.

The awards ceremony was opened with speeches by Albert Dadon AM, Chairman of the Jazz Bell Awards. Mrs Dorothy Bell, the wife of the late great jazz pioneer Graeme Bell AO; MBE who the awards are named after and The Federal Attorney General The Hon George Brandis.

Hosted by Tracey Curro, a highlight of the glittering evening was the induction of Judy Bailey, one of Australia's leading musicians and composers, into the Jazz Hall of Fame.

In a musical genre which is going from strength-to-strength in Australia, this night of nights is a chance for both the established and newcomers to the vibrant Australian Jazz scene to celebrate our diverse and world-class industry.

Established in 2003 the Jazz Bell Awards recognise and encourage excellence in the performance, recording and presentation of jazz in Australia.

The 2014 Australian Jazz Bell Award winners are:

In the category of Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album the winner is:
Allira Wilson ‐ Rise and Fall

In the category of Best Australian Modern Jazz Album the winner is:
Andrea Keller Quartet ‐ Wave Rider

In the category of Best Australian Contemporary ‘Avant-garde’ Jazz Album, the winner is:
Monash Art Ensemble ‐ Monash Art Ensemble

In the category of Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album the winner is:
Julien Wilson Quartet ‐ This is Always

In the category of Best Australian Jazz Song of the Year the winner is:
Julien Wilson ‐ Trout River

In the category of Best Australian Jazz Ensemble the winner is:
Julien Wilson Quartet ‐ This is Always

In the category of Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year the winner is:
Joseph O'Connor ‐ Monash Art Ensemble