Award / Grant News

Martial Solal Nominated for Grammy Award for "Live at Village Vanguard" Solo Release on CAM Jazz

Source: Claudia Artzer
January 5, 2010

Martial Solal is a man who wastes little including musical space and words. When informed he had just been nominated on December 3, 2009, for a Grammy Award for his January 2009 solo recording, Live at the Village Vanguard: I Can't Give You Anything But Love," he said, “Good news."

On the nominated disc, Solal is heard giving playful words of caution to the excited crowd. “Tonight is a very important night because we are recording the show, so I ...

Continue Reading...

Pianist Marian McPartland Awarded Prestigious "Order of the British Empire" by Queen Elizabeth

Source: Michael Ricci
January 3, 2010

Queen Elizabeth's annual honors list, announced at midnight on the last day of each year to recognize distinguished service to Great Britain, includes a membership in the “Order of the British Empire" (the highest honor other than “Dame") for 91-year old jazz piano legend and long-time host of National Public Radio's “Piano Jazz" program, Marian McPartland.

“Mrs. Margaret Marian McPartland. Pianist and Radio Show Host, National Public Radio, USA. For services to jazz and to aspiring young musicians in the ...

Continue Reading...

Drummer/Composer Dana Hall Named an Outstanding "Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
December 28, 2009

The Chicago Tribune yesterday announced its outstanding Chicagoans of the Year, recognizing their achievements in ten arts and culture fields. Dana Hall, the drummer, composer, and educator, was the top Jazz Chicagoan, and the only professional musician selected. The complete list of honorees, who were chosen by the Tribune's entertainment writers, includes: Movies: Vivian Teng, Managing Director, Chicago International Film Festival Literature: Reginald Gibbons, poet/essayist/translator, English professor at Northwestern U. Jazz: Dana Hall, drummer/composer, music director of Chicago Jazz Ensemble, ...

Continue Reading...

Grammy Nominated Album "Brother to Brother" by the Clayton Brothers

Source: Michael Ricci
December 18, 2009

It would be quite an understatement to say that the Clayton family is musically-inclined. This year, three Claytons--John, Jeff and Gerald--received Grammy nominations. Brothers John and Jeff Clayton were nominated for “Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group" for their record Brother to Brother. Brother to Brother is a compilation of music inspired by songs composed by and/or performed by some of the many brother groups in jazz. John Clayton had the following to say about the record, ...

Continue Reading...

Philippe Saisse is on Top of World with First Ever Grammy Nod for Best Jazz Album "At World's Edge," Dedicated to Late Father

Source: Michael Ricci
December 17, 2009

New York, NY -- Songwriter/arranger/producer, keyboard wiz, and, E1 Entertainment recording artist, Philippe Saisse, scored a personal triumph and first when NARAS voters opted to honor and acknowledge his progressive and daring solo album, “AT WORLD'S EDGE," with a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Saisse has enjoyed a distinguished career over the past 30 years, but finally attaining the milestone achievement on his ninth solo effort has even more special significance, because he dedicated the album in ...

Continue Reading...

Geoffrey Keezer Nominated for a Grammy

Source: Michael Ricci
December 17, 2009

Geoffrey Keezer may have just received his first Grammy nomination (Best Latin Jazz Album for his record Aurea), but he is by no means a newbie to the music scene. Since the tender age of 18, when Keezer began playing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, he has made a name for himself in the jazz world. When asked to comment on his record urea and its recent Grammy nomination, Keezer had the following to say, “It's my first [Grammy nomination], ...

Continue Reading...

Terence Blanchard Nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo at the Upcoming 52nd Grammy Awards

Source: Muse Media
December 16, 2009

TERENCE BLANCHARD NOMINATED FOR BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO AT THE UPCOMING 52ND GRAMMY AWARDS;WORLD REKNOWNED TRUMPET PLAYER AND COMPOSER WILL ALSO RECEIVE FRANCE'S GRAND PRIX DU DISQUE 2009 Blanchard's soundtrack composition for Cadillac Records also nominated, for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Los Angeles--Three-time Grammy Award-winning composer and world-renowned trumpet player Terence Blanchard's recording, Dancin' 4 Chicken, has been nominated for the Best Improvised Jazz Solo Grammy. The track was featured on Jeff ...

Continue Reading...

House Honors Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue"

Source: Michael Ricci
December 16, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fifty years after jazz legend Miles Davis recorded Kind of Blue, the House voted Tuesday to honor the landmark album's contribution to the genre. Davis collaborated on the record with saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian “Cannonball" Adderley, pianists Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Rep. John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat who sponsored the measure, said the group “made musical history and changed the artistic landscape of this country and in some ...

Continue Reading...