The 12th annual Jazz Awards ceremony at Jazz Standard in New York City. On Wednesday, June 18, the Jazz Journalists Association held their 12th annual Jazz Awards ceremony at Jazz Standard in New York City. 
The “Musician of the Year” honor went to pianist Herbie Hancock, who’s been having a stellar year following his Grammy-Award-winning CD, River: The Joni Letters. However, the big winner of the event with four Jazz Award trophies was bandleader Maria Schneider, who won in the categories of “Record of the Year” for her Sky Blue release, as well as "Composer," "Arranger" and "Large Ensemble of the Year." NEA Jazz Master and drummer Roy Haynes (pictured left) won Jazz Awards in two categories, “Reissue/Historical Release of the year” for the career-spanning box set A Life In Time: The Roy Haynes Story, and “Drummer of the Year.” Cuban percussionist and NEA Jazz Master Candido Camero (pictured below ) was on hand to accept the Jazz Award for “Percussionist of the Year.” The 87-year-old has performed and recorded with Machito, Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Count Basie, Dr. Billy Taylor, Stan Kenton, Tito Puente, to name a few. 
Another NEA Jazz Master and pianist Hank Jones, who will turn 90 in July, accepted the award for “Pianist of the Year.” Jones then performed a set of tunes in duet with Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano. The chairman of the NEA, Dana Gioia, was in attendance, as he received a Jazz Journalists Association ‘A Team’ Award for activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz. Pianist and NPR “Piano Jazz” host Marian McPartland was recognized with the award for “Lifetime Achievement in Jazz.” Ms. McPartland recently celebrated her 90th birthday. For a complete list of 2008 Jazz Award Winners, log onto: http://www.Jazzhouse.org Photo credit: Enid Farber |
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