James Moir, Controller BBC Radio 2 says: The renaissance of jazz continues apace. Jazz record sales have increased by 30% since last year's Awards ceremony. This without including 'pop' artists like the multi-platinum Norah Jones and Cinematic Orchestra. The average age of audiences at UK jazz venues has fallen by a decade and not since the days when Chris Barber records topped the charts has there been as much public interest in the genre. The awards have quickly become an established date in the UK jazz calendar and the 2002 show was heard by over a million listeners on Radio's 2 and 3, as well as by those fortunate enough to be in the hall itself. The BBC's jazz coverage goes from strength to strength and hence Jazz Awards 2003 celebrates where jazz is from and where it's going to."
The opinions of over one hundred members of the UK jazz industry have been polled and the three most popular nominees in each category are listed below (winners will not be announced until the awards ceremony itself). In no particular order the nominees are:
BEST ALBUM*
* For methods of public voting see below.
BEST BAND
BEST VOCALIST
BEST INSTRUMENTALIST
RISING STAR
SERVICES TO JAZZ
To be announced on the awards ceremony
A panel of experts assembled by BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3 have, after much debate, chosen nominees in the following categories:
BEST NEW WORK
JAZZ INNOVATION
JAZZ HERITAGE
To be announced at the awards ceremony
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at the awards ceremony
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
To be announced on June 1st
Contact details and short biographies for all the nominees can be found in the Notes to Editors.
In a new move for 2003, the Best Album award will be chosen by the public. As of today, votes can be placed for the Best Album category in the following three ways:
The evening will feature live performances from the biggest names in jazz. Those performing will be chosen from the various nominees highlighting those artists who have shone brightest over the last 12 months as well as one or two very special guests.
The BBC Radio Jazz Awards take place at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Tuesday, July 29th and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, 4th August at 7.00-8.30pm and on BBC Radio 3's Jazz Line-Up on Saturday, 2nd August at 4.00pm.
There will be more information on the awards and a chance to listen to the acts on BBC Radio 2 Online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 and BBC Radio 3 Online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio3
Ticket availability will be announced shortly.
Further information: Marc Connor at Air, (020) 8287 4064
Hester Nevill, BBC Radio 2 Publicity (020) 7765 5712
or Sian Davis, BBC Radio 3 Publicity (020) 7765 5887
For more information contact All About Jazz.