The nominees for the 2006 Australian Jazz Awards have been announced.
The Awards, also known as The Bells in honour of pianist Graeme Bell, will this year feature a jury panel made up of critics from Italy and the US as well as Australia.
Albert Dadon, the Chairman of the Board of the Awards, says the creation of the international panel “exposes Australian jazz to the detailed attention of critics who may otherwise not have done so”.
The judging panel is:
Enzo Capua (Musica Jazz) – Italy
Laurence Donohue-Greene (AllAboutJazz) – US
Dan Ouellette (Downbeat and Billboard) – US
Christopher Porter (JazzTimes) – US
Adrian Jackson (The Bulletin and Rhythms)
John McBeath (The Australian)
Kenny Weir (The Sunday Herald Sun)
The winners of the eight Award categories will be announced in Melbourne on 25 May.
And the nominees are …
Presented by:
Gibson and Gallin’s Guitars
The Bell Award for Australian Jazz Ensemble of the Year
Bernie McGann Quartet
The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra
The Necks
Presented by:
Mount Franklin
The Bell Award for Best Australian Classic Jazz Album
Allan Browne – He’s Not Much
Joe Chindamo – Live at Umbria Jazz ‘05
Ben Winkelman – Trio Stomps Pieces and Variations
Presented by:
Yamaha
The Bell Award for Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album
Ten Part Invention – The Music of Roger Frampton
Barney McAll – Mother of Dreams and Secrets
Jamie Oehlers – The Assemblers
Presented by:
Australia Israel Cultural Exchange
The Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album
Paul Grabowsky & Katie Noonan – Before Time Could Change Us
Janet Seidel – Moon of Manakoora
Elana Stone – In The Garden of Wild Things
Presented by:
TarraWarra Wines
The Bell Award for International Jazz Album of the Year
Stefano Bollani – Gleda
Tord Gustavsen Trio – The Ground
Wayne Shorter – Beyond the Sound Barrier
Presented by:
The Sunday Herald Sun
The Bell Award for Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year
Aaron Choulai
Matthew Jodrell
Elana Stone
Presented by:
The City of Stonnington
The Bell Award for Australian Jazz Artist of the Year
Joe Chindamo
Paul Grabowsky
Bernie McGann
Presented by:
The City of Melbourne
The Graeme Bell Hall of Fame Career Achievement Award
Len Barnard (Dec.)
Don Burrows
John Pochee
Photo: Bernie McGann
