[jja-announce] Save the Date -- June 17 -- JJA's 13th annual Jazz Awards

[howard Mandel]

Save the Date -- June 17 -- for the Jazz Journalists Association's  
13th annual Jazz Awards

The Jazz Journalists Association has announced the date, time and  
place for the 2009 JJA Jazz Awards (RM): Wednesday, June 17 from 4  
p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jazz Standard, 1165 E. 27th St., New York City.   
The JJA's annual recognition of excellence in jazz and jazz  
journalism, with winners in 40 categories selected by professional  
members of the JJA and introduction of "activists, advocates,  
altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz" inducted into the JJA's "A  
Team,"  is the only such program independent of any single publication  
or institution.

"The Jazz Awards is having its bar mitzvah, and for the third year in  
a row we'll celebrate at the Jazz Standard, which in the spirit of  
jazz ecuminity serves the best barbeque in Manhattan," says Howard  
Mandel, president of the JJA and producer of the Jazz Awards. A West  
Coast Jazz Awards party is also being considered, probably to take  
place after the event at the Jazz Standard.

As JJA members know, the first round of balloting which determines  
nominees has begun (go to http://jazzhouse.org/JazzAwardBallot.rtf if  
you have not received one). After the first ballot deadline all votes  
are tabulated and nominees who have amassed the most votes in each  
category become finalists, presented to the JJA's professional members  
on a second ballot for selection of Awards recipients. The JJA's "A  
Team" is determined by consultation among the JJA's board of  
directors. Nominations may be sent to the board members: JJA president  
Howard Mandel (jazzmandel at earthlink.net), vice-president Yvonne Ervin (yvonne914 at rcn.com 
), Jazz Notes editor David Adler (David at AdlerMusic.com), Jazz Notes  
art director Forrest Bryant (Fo at FoJazz.com), AllAboutJazz-LA editor  
Fred Jung (ocundrgrnd at aol.com), Susan Fox (SusanChicago at gmail.com) and  
author Gary Giddins (weatherbird at rcn.com).

Entertainment and presenters for the event have not yet been  
determined, but last year's Jazz Awards party featured music by Joe  
Lovano and Hank Jones, vocalist Roseanna Vitro with pianist Mark  
Soskin, the Kate and Matt Miller Quartet, and Igmar Thomas and the  
Cipher, and addresses to the audiences by notables including Dana  
Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, Roy Haynes,  
winner of Drummer of the Year, Candido Camero, Frank Wess, Wendy  
Oxenhorn of the Jazz Foundation of America, Vita Muir of the  
Litchfield Jazz Festival, producer George Wein,  and Maria Schneider,  
whose album Sky Blue was named Record of the Year. Many more   
musicians, music-company representatives (from ASCAP, Boosey and  
Hawkes, Blue Note Records, Earshot Jazz, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Half  
Note Records and Zenph RePerformance, among other companies), A Team  
winners (Dr. Valerie Capers, R. Jarrett Lilien, George Avakian) and  
jazz journalists filled the sold-out event, a fundraiser for the non- 
profit JJA. For a complete report, including photos, of the Jazz  
Awards in 2009 and earlier, see www.Jazzhouse.org (search "jazz  
awards").

Since the Jazz Awards was moved to the Jazz Standard, which  
accommodates 150, after several years  at B.B. King's Blues Club and  
Grill, which holds 550,  tickets for the party have become ever more  
eagerly sought. Information on ticket prices and reservations will be  
made available in early May. For information on sponsorship  
opportunities and other matters concerning the JJA's 13th annual Jazz  
Awards, contact Howard Mandel, jazzmandel at earthlink.net.

Thanks for your interests in this initiative, JJA members. It's one  
that maintains the high profile of the JJA in the larger jazz  
community and related industries, promoting jazz and jazz journalism  
at a time when there is much competition for music fans' attentions.

best, President Howard


Howard Mandel
jazzmandel at earthlink.net
phone 212 533 9495
mobile 212 533 4952

see my blog:
www.HowardMandel.com
www.ArtsJournal.com/jazzbeyondjazz