The 2015 Australian Jazz Bell Award nominations have been listed, with the overall winners to be announced at a ceremony, hosted by Helen Kapalos, at Melbourne’s beautiful Regent Theatre Ballroom on Thursday 30 April.
Jazz fans can expect a truly unique experience on the night with the presentation of 7 award categories, live performances and a special presentation to the winner of this year’s Graeme Bell Hall of Fame inductee.
Featuring some of the brightest talent in the Australian Jazz Scene, the nominees for 2015 Australian Jazz Bell Awards are:
In the category of Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album the final nominees are:
Josh Kyle & Sam Keevers – Songs of Friends
Tom Barton – Aspirations
Sarah McKenzie – We could be lovers
In the category of Best Australian Modern Jazz Album
Paul Grabowsky – The Bitter Suite
Daniel Susnjar – Su Su Nje
James Mustafa Orchestra – The Last Sanctuary
In the category of Best Australian Contemporary ‘Avant-garde’ Jazz Album, the final nominees are:
Monash Art Ensemble : George ‐ Hexis
Barney McAll = Trio Feral ‐ Trio Feral = Don’t Feed
Paul Van Ross ‐ My Cuban Soul
In the category of Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album the final nominees are:
James Morrison ‐ A-Z of Jazz
The Hunters & Pointers ‐ The Hunters & Pointers
Geoff Bull ‐ Clarence Williams Tribute
In the category of Best Australian Jazz Song of the Year the final nominees are:
Paul Grabowsky ‐ Black Saffron
Penelope Sai ‐ Some Kind Of Dream
Daniel Susnjar ‐ Forte Pulse Torte
In the category of Best Australian Jazz Ensemble the final nominees are:
Mike Nock Octet ‐ Suite Sima
Daniel Susnjar ‐ Su Su Nje
Daryl McKenzie Orchestra‐ Return Journey
In the category of Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year the final nominees are:
James Mustafa Jazz Orchestra ‐ The Last Sanctuary
Nic Vardenga ‐ Inverno
Jessica Carlton ‐ Not Alone
The winner of the Graeme Bell Hall of Fame – in recognition of an outstanding career – will be announced on the night.
The 2015 judging panel, made up of experts in their field, are from Australia and overseas. The panel comprises Albert Dadon, Adrian Jackson, Gerry Koster, John McBeath, Martin Jackson, Carl Griffin and Luis Tineo.
The annual awards are a great opportunity for all artists to be recognised in the vibrant Australian Jazz scene for achievements across all categories of jazz.