Sixth Annual Celebration of Excellence In Musicianship and Journalism at the Jazz Standard

New York -- The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) Jazz Awards 2002, the sixth annual presentation of honors to jazz musicians and their supporters by the organization representing more than 400 writers, broadcasters, photographers and new media professionals worldwide, will be held June 19, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Jazz Standard in New York City, in benefit of the Jazz Emergency Fund of the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA). Engraved statuettes will be presented to winners in 38 categories of achievement, as well as grandees selected by the JJA board for discretionary honors.

Notable jazz aficionados from the worlds of entertainment, education, literature and politics will serve as keynote speakers, MCs and presenters of the Jazz Awards; musicians will perform during a cocktail hour and after the Awards are presented. Details of the program will be posted at the Jazz Journalists Association website, www.Jazzhouse.org.

The Jazz Awards 2002 represent excellence and accomplishment in performance, recording, presentation and documentation of jazz during the year April 15, 2001 to April 15, 2002. In a rare instance of membership unanimity, the Latin Jazz documentary “Calle 54," directed by Fernando Trueba has been selected uncontested winner of the category “Best Jazz Film/Video of the Year."

With the Jazz Awards 2002, the JJA continues its successful collaboration with the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA), begun in 2001, and welcomes the sponsorship of the Jazz Standard, as well as contributions from www.JazzCorner.com and TheJazzStore.com, contributors returning from last year's event.

Previously the Jazz Awards have been presented at Birdland, South Street Seaport, the Knitting Factory and Alice Tully Hall. A full roster of Jazz Awards 2002 nominees is on-view at www.Jazzhouse.org, as is the history of the Awards and its past winners.

The JJA will host Jazz Awards nominees at the Jazz Standard event, charge JJA members a nominal entrance fee to offset production costs, and hopes to raise significant funds for the JFA's Musicians Emergency Fund by offering representatives of jazz industries, institutions and private parties tickets at the cost of $100.

For further information, contact Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association (212) 533-9495, Wendy Oxenhorn, executive director of the Jazz Foundation of America (212) 245-5800, or Don Lucoff of DL Media (610) 667-0501

Tickets to the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards 2001 may be bought online via secure server at www.JazzAwards.com, or by check, via JJA treasurer Arnold Jay Smith, (718) 625-2026.

International Membership Nominates 200 Players, Promoters, Writers, Photographers, Broadcasters, Periodicals and Websites for Awards.

Lionel Hampton, Elvin Jones, Marian McPartland, Cecil Taylor and Clark Terry nominees for “Lifetime Achievement"; Dave Douglas, Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, Sonny Rollins and William Parker vie for “Musician of the Year."

Latin Jazz documentary “Calle 54" unanimously acclaimed as Film of the Year; Other winners to be Announced June 19, 2002, 4 - 7 p.m., the Jazz Standard, NYC