FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First-Ever Jazz Music Awards Adds Performers Dee Dee Bridgewater,
Dianne Reeves, Ledisi, The Baylor Project, Kenny Garrett, Somi,
Lizz Wright, Jazzmeia Horn, Brian Bromberg and Lindsey Webster
Event Celebrating the Spirit of Jazz to Be Hosted by
Delroy Lindo and Dee Dee Bridgewater with
Musical Direction by Terri Lyne Carrington
(Atlanta, GA – October 3, 2022) – The Jazz Music Awards: Celebrating the Spirit ofJazz, the first awards celebration to exclusively focus on Jazz announces a star-studded lineup of acclaimed artists who will perform live under the musical direction of NEA Jazz Master and three-time Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, and educator Terri Lyne Carrington. Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist Dee Dee Bridgewater and multiple award-winning British-American stages and screen actor Delroy Lindo will serve as. co-hosts for the Jazz Music Awards, set for Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA.
Confirmed as musical performers are a cast of multiple Grammy Award winners, including NEA Jazz Masters Dianne Reeves, Kenny Garrett, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, vocalist Ledisi, husband-and-wife team Marcus and Jean Baylor of The Baylor Project, and preeminent jazz, gospel, and blues vocalist Lizz Wright. Also confirmed to perform are Jazz Music Awards nominees: vocalists Jazzmeia Horn, Somi, and Lindsey Webster, guitarist Brian Bromberg, harpist Brandee Younger, and pianist Orrin Evans.
Among the musical highlights of the inaugural awards presentation – with the theme “Jazz Is The Culture” – will be an opening performance by The Baylor Project, which led the Jazz Music Awards with three nominations. They will be joined by five-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves and three-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn. The celebration will also include a musical tribute, “Songs of Social Justice,” featuring Reeves and Horn, along with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ledisi, and Lizz Wright.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Inaugural Jazz Music Awards to Bestow Special Honors to
Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Ambrose Akinmusire, Henry Threadgill,
Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds, and James H. Patterson
The Awards Ceremony Highlight Eight Award Categories with 33
Nominees including Jean & Marcus Baylor Leading with Three
Nominations, along with Orrin Evans, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride,
Brian Culbertson, and Brandee Younger
Each Leading with Two Nominations
Other Nominees Include The Count Basie Orchestra, Brian Bromberg, Joey
DeFrancesco, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Somi, Stacey Kent,
Shawnn Monteiro, Ben Tankard, Lindsey Webster, and More
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ledisi, Lizz Wright, and Jazzmeia Horn Set to
Perform, Tickets On Sale Now
(Atlanta, GA – August 30, 2022) – The global awards ceremony to exclusively celebrate Jazz music, The Jazz Music Awards: Celebrating the Spirit of Jazz, and its creator and executive producer, Wendy F. Williams today announce the recipients of six honorary awards and the nominees in eight competitive award categories. These special honors, as well as the thirty-three nominees, recognize individuals who have made – and continue to make – a lasting contribution to this American art form. Finalists in each category are the result of the first round of nominations submitted during the eligibility period from April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. These well-deserved honors will be presented at the Jazz Music Awards ceremony, set for Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are on sale now, click here for further details.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter; the Jazz Legend Award will be presented to the family of the late pianist and composer McCoy Tyner. There are three Awards of Distinction categories: Innovator, Composer, and Educator. Modern jazz trumpeter and composer Ambrose Akinmusire will receive the Jazz Innovator Award; avant-garde saxophonist and woodwinds player and composer Henry Threadgill will be honored with the Jazz Composer Award; vocalist and composer, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds will receive the Jazz Educator Award; and veteran musician and educator James H. Patterson will receive the Jazz Impact Award.
Also, the final four nominees have been announced in eight competitive categories; a tie in the Best Duo, Group, or Big Band category resulted in five nominees, while the Best International Artist category submissions did not meet the Jazz Music Awards submission criteria resulting in this award being removed from the final ballot this year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, and Terri Lyne Carrington, along with Jazzmeia Horn, Lizz Wright, and Others to Share Jazz Wisdom in FREE Educational Master Classes and Workshops at Clark Atlanta University The 2022 Jazz Music Awards and Jazz 91.9 WCLK Host Sessions Examining Jazz Culture Ahead of Star-Studded Awards Ceremony
(Atlanta, GA – October 10, 2022) – The producers of the inaugural Jazz Music Awards and Jazz 91.9 WCLK will present three dynamic Jazz master classes and workshops on the campus of the historic Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 21, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET, at the Juanita Baranco Multi-Purpose Room in the Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center at 223 James P. Bawley Drive SW, in Atlanta, Georgia. Featuring some of the best-known names in the world of Jazz today – including multiple Grammy Award winners and NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, and Terri Lyne Carrington – these educational masterclasses and workshops are free and open to the public and take place the day before the inaugural Jazz Music Awards ceremony.
Other participants are three-time Grammy-nominated artist Jazzmeia Horn and preeminent jazz, gospel, and blues vocalist Lizz Wright, DJ and Grammy-nominated Jazz musician Kassa Overall; award-winning documentary filmmaker, and cultural curator Jason Orr, and percussionist, drummer, and educator Lil’ John Roberts. These sure-to-be enlightening sessions will be moderated by beloved on-air personalities from Jazz 91.9 WCLK and have been programmed to give Jazz fans, young musicians, and casual listeners a window into how and why Jazz is so key to American culture. The sessions and noted panelists are as follows:
Link to Getty Images
https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?events=775883098&phrase=
Photos and descriptions of LIVE performances of the inaugural Jazz Music Awards
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hchgbab0dvlie2g2dt1dy/h?dl=0&rlkey=4dw879ry9quq91y35uo e2zeea
Link to photos of the Jazz Music Awards winners
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wiwlz2rk86fdxhkfakz1h/h?dl=0&rlkey=r3pvyluukaldq2qwbhhj lh9b3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic Jazz Music Awards Brings Spirit of Jazz to Atlanta with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Delroy Lindo, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Garrett, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ledisi, and Many More
Trailblazers Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Henry Threadgill, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds, and Ambrose Akinmusire were Honored In Words and Music
Powerful Live Performances and Heartfelt Tributes Accompany Wins for Christian McBride, Norman Brown, Ragan Whiteside, Samara Joy, Somi, Orrin Evans, Stacey Kent, Bob Baldwin, Kenny Garrett
Date Set for the Annual Jazz Music Awards in October 2023
(Atlanta, GA – October 25, 2022) – It was a historic night of enlightenment, emotion, and of course, inspired Jazz performances at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards: Celebrating The Spirit of Jazz, held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. The first full-scale awards ceremony devoted to celebrating Jazz music and the artists who create it left the audience dazzled by the sheer amount of talent gathered on the stage, from the co-hosts, NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater and multiple award-winning actors Delroy Lindo, to NEA Jazz Masters Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Kenny Garrett, to prominent Jazz artists The Baylor Project, Ledisi, Brandee Younger, Lizz Wright, Jazzmeia Horn, Somi, Lindsey Webster, Tia Fuller, and others – all under the musical direction of Carrington, the show’s co-executive producer. The ceremony was a heady mix of soul-stirring elements: heartfelt salutes to Jazz influencers and innovators; the presentation of competitive awards to a range of creative artists; and powerful musical performances by some of today’s best global Jazz musicians. The Spirit of Jazz was felt within the walls of the nearly 3,000- seat Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Several moments of the Awards show prompted standing ovations: A mid-show medley of “Songs of Social Justice” put Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jazzmeia Horn, and Ledisi together in an incredible and historic round-robin display of vocal virtuosity as sang anthems of struggle and overcoming. Reeves opened the segment with her powerful composition, “Endangered Species,” also sung recently by Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph in her acceptance speech.
The Baylor Project, three-time Jazz Music Awards nominees opened the show with the appropriately titled groove, “We Swing” featuring Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn. Best Mainstream Artist winners, Kenny Garrett and Orrin Evans, along with James Genus and Terri Lyne Carrington, astonished the audience with powerful and inspired saxophone riffs and rhythm section interplay during a tribute to the late pianist McCoy Tyner, who was feted with the Jazz Legend Award. Vocalist Somi, one of two winners of the Best Vocal Performance Award in a surprise tie, brought attendees to their feet with her syncopated and soaring Miriam Makeba tribute, “House of the Rising Sun.”
A presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to influential Jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter included an inspired medley of his tunes after Shorter shared a heartfelt video message. Henry Threadgill spoke via video about the power of forging new paths in jazz and life during his tribute as Jazz Composer. The show closed with an affecting performance by Lizz Wright and Tia Fuller of “Georgia On My Mind,” a tune that carries more weight during a tight state election season.
Nominee Brandee Younger, demonstrated the harp’s versatility over the infectious groove undercurrent in “Spirit U Will” with Terri Lyne Carrington’s All-Star Band, a collective of world class musicians who played throughout the show. The group included pianist Orrin Evans, bassist James Genus, guitarist Mark Whitfield, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, alto saxophonist Braxton Cook, trumpeter Milena Casado, keyboardist Ray Angry, drummer Nikki Glaspie, and DJ/percussionist Kassa Overall.
The show had emotional moments as well. James Patterson, 91, a beloved Clark Atlanta University Jazz professor, wept with joy upon receiving his Jazz Impact Award from George T. French Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University. Many others – including hosts Bridgewater and Lindo – were sobered and dismayed by the more than one hundred jazz legends and icons listed during the In Memoriam tribute, who passed away between the latter part of December 2019 and October 2022, many of whose transitions were a sad surprise. And these moments only scratch the surface of the depth and breadth of what the Jazz Music Awards brought to bear – an evening of recognition that was deeply appreciated by the Jazz community.
Wendy F. Williams, the creator and executive producer of the Jazz Music Awards says that the event proved to be everything and more than what she and the team were striving for, particularly as a Jazz celebration of this caliber was long overdue. “I was overwhelmed by the talent of all the world-class performers and musicians,” says Williams. “There are so many people to thank, but the event would not have been possible without the full support of Clark Atlanta University, 91.9 WCLK, and the incredible teams of executives and creators we assembled.”
Terri Lyne Carrington, who served as musical director and co-executive producer for the Awards ceremony, delivered a stellar night of musical magic. Says Carrington: “The inaugural Jazz Music Awards was a huge undertaking that resulted in a major music award celebration. More importantly, after the ceremony, many of the artists personally shared with me that this was something that the Jazz community needed.”
Winners of the eight competitive awards were Christian McBride & Inside Straight, who earned two awards for both Best Mainstream Artist and Best Duo, Group or Big Band; Ragan Whiteside for Best Contemporary Artist; Samara Joy for Best New Artist; Bob Baldwin for Best Contemporary Album; and Norman Brown for Song of the Year. Two categories were tied, with both Somi and Stacey Kent earning Best Vocal Performance, and pianist Orrin Evans and saxophone player Kenny Garrett taking home statues for Best Mainstream Album. A few of the show’s winners and honorees were unable to accept in person due to international tours, with McBride and Joy on the road in Europe during a recently opened touring market.
The Jazz Music Awards presenters included Jean and Marcus Baylor of The Baylor Project, Jazzmeia Horn, Brandee Younger, Dianne Reeves, Ben Tankard, Orrin Evans, Ragan Whiteside, Tia Fuller, and Bob Baldwin. Also serving as award presenters were on-air talent from 91.9 Jazz WCLK including Program Director David C. Linton and on-air talents Debb Moore, Rivablue, Jamal Ahmad, and Morris Baxter.
As a well-orchestrated assembly of jazz greats, a spectacular concert, and a tribute that shed light on several jazz greats, the 2022 Jazz Music Awards more than demonstrated its first-year theme: “Jazz Is The Culture.”
The second Annual Jazz Music Awards is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2023. Jazz Music Awards Week starts on Wednesday, October 18, and through Saturday, October 21, 2023.
ABOUT THE JAZZ MUSIC AWARDS
The Jazz Music Awards recognizes jazz as an American musical art form, birthed from the experience and innovation of African Americans, rooted in blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, and creative improvised music, including Latin jazz, mainstream, smooth, and other contemporary forms, or hybrids. The Jazz Music Awards and its creators recognize and amplify Jazz as a vibrant cornerstone of all American music that has profoundly influenced American language, style, traditions, and sounds, producing heroes and cultural phenomena. The Jazz Music Awards is a nonprofit division of Jazz 91.9 WCLK at Clark Atlanta University, the Historically Black College and University, owner and licensee of WCLK.
For more information on the Jazz Music Awards, please visit www.jazzmusicawards.com.
PR Contact:
Gwendolyn Quinn
Gwendolyn Quinn Public Relations
c/o The Jazz Music Awards [email protected]
917-769-7808
The 2022 Jazz Music Awards Winners
Best New Artist
Samara Joy Samara
Joy (Album)
Best Contemporary Artist
Ragan Whiteside
“Off the Cuff” (Single)
Best Mainstream Artist
Christian McBride & Inside Straight
Live at the Village Vanguard (Album)
Best Vocal Performance (TIE) Somi
Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba
Stacey Kent Songs From Other Places
Best Duo, Group, or Big Band
Christian McBride & Inside Straight
Live At the Village Vanguard
Best Contemporary Album
Bob Baldwin
The Stay at Home Series, Volume 1 (Album)
Best Mainstream Album (TIE)
Orrin Evans
The Magic of Now (Album)
Kenny Garrett
Sounds From The Ancestors (Album)
Song of the Year (Fan Vote)
Norman Brown
“Back At Ya” (Single)
ABOUT THE JAZZ MUSIC AWARDS
The Jazz Music Awards recognizes jazz as an American musical art form, birthed from the experience and innovation of African Americans, rooted in blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, and creative improvised music, including Latin jazz, mainstream, smooth, and other contemporary forms, or hybrids.
The Jazz Music Awards and its creators recognize and amplify Jazz as a vibrant cornerstone of all American music that has profoundly influenced American language, style, traditions, and sounds, producing heroes and cultural phenomena. The Jazz Music Awards is a nonprofit division of Jazz 91.9 WCLK at Clark Atlanta University, the Historically Black College and University, owner and licensee of WCLK.
PR Contact
Gwendolyn Quinn
Gwendolyn Quinn Public Relations
The Jazz Music Awards
917-769-7808
ITINERARY OF EVENTS
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AWARDS SHOW
The Jazz Music Awards 2022
Honorees and Nominees
The Lifetime Achievement Award Wayne Shorter
Award of Distinction – Jazz Innovator Award Ambrose Akinmusire
Award of Distinction – Jazz Composer Award Henry Threadgill
Award of Distinction – Jazz Educator Award Dr. Lenora Z Helm Hammonds
The Jazz Legend Award McCoy Tyner
The Jazz Impact Award James H. Patterson
Best Mainstream Artist
Joey DeFrancesco More Music
Kenny Garrett Sounds From The Ancestors
Christian McBride & Inside Straight Live at the Village Vanguard
Brandee Younger Somewhere Different
Best Contemporary Artist
Brian Bromberg A Little Driving Music
Ben Tankard SHINE!
Lindsey Webster “I. Didn’t Mean It” (single title)
Ragan Whiteside “Off the Cuff” (single title)
Best Duo, Group, or Big Band (a tie in this category)
The Baylor Project Generations
Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force Dear Love
Christian McBride & Inside Straight Live At the Village Vanguard
Count Basie Orchestra Live At Birdland
(under the direction of Scotty Barnhart)
Kevin Eubanks and Orrin Evans EEE (Eubanks-Evans-Experience)
Best New Jazz Artist
Simon Moullier. Countdown
Julieta Engenio Jump
Kazemde George I Insist
Samara Joy Samara Joy
Best Vocal Performance
The Baylor Project Generations
Somi Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba
Stacey Kent Songs From Other Places
Shawnn Monteiro You Are There
Best Mainstream Album
The Baylor Project Generations
Orrin Evans The Magic of Now
Kenny Garrett Sounds From The Ancestors
Brandee Younger Somewhere Different
Best Contemporary Album
Bob Baldwin The Stay at Home Series, Volume 1
Brian Culbertson The Trilogy Red
Sonny Emory Soul Ascension
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Tongue & Groove
Song of the Year (Fan Vote)
Norman Brown “Back At Ya” (single)
Brian Culbertson “Feel the Love” (single)
Justin-Lee Schultz “Gruv Kid” (single)
James “PJ” Spraggins “Up From Here” (single)
Number of Nominations by Artist(s)
The Baylor Project (three nominations)
Orrin Evans (two nominations)
Kenny Garrett (two nominations)
Brian Culbertson (two nominations)
Christian McBride (two nominations)
Brandee Younger (two nominations)
Bob Baldwin (one nomination)
Count Basie Orchestra (one nomination)
Brian Bromberg (one nomination)
Norman Brown (one nomination)
Joey DeFrancesco (one nomination)
Sonny Emory (one nomination)
Julieta Engenio (one nomination)
Kevin Eubanks & Orrin Evans (one nomination)
Kazemde George (one nomination)
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach (one nomination)
Jazzmeia Horn (one nomination)
Samara Joy (one nomination)
Stacey Kent (one nomination)
Shawnn Monteiro (one nomination)
Simon Moullier (one nomination)
Justin-Lee Schultz (one nomination)
Somi (one nomination)
James “PJ” Spraggins (one nomination)
Ben Tankard (one nomination)
Lindsey Webster (one nomination)
Ragan Whiteside (one nomination)
The Jazz Music Awards recognizes jazz as an American musical art form, birthed from the experience and innovation of African Americans, rooted in blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, and creative improvised music, including Latin jazz, mainstream, smooth, and other contemporary forms, or hybrids.