Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards Friday

Canadian jazz music news

Spyro Gyra Headlines Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards Gala

The third annual Smooth Jazz Awards gala event will take place tomorrow, Friday April 27, at the Living Arts Centre in Toronto. The Canadian version of the event celebrates excellence among Smooth Jazz artists, composers and broadcasters.

International Smooth Jazz artist Alexander Zonjic will host the show for the third year running, which will feature the jazz flutist among the headlining acts slated to perform including Gabriel Mark Hasselback, Nick Colionne, Warren Hill, Four80East, Carol Welsman, and Smooth Jazz royal family members Spyro Gyra.

Spyro Gyra will also be honoured for their 30 years of contributions to the Smooth Jazz/Adult Contemporary music industry with the presentation of the Benson Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz festivities also includes three featured concerts scheduled for Saturday, April 28 at local/regional venues. N’Awlins (Oakville) will host Warren Hill with Brian Culbertson, the Old Mill Inn (Toronto) will feature Alexander Zonjic, Jeff Lorber, Nick Colionne, Maysa and guests, while Danforth Music Hall in Toronto will host jazz supergroup Spyro Gyra. Julie Crochetiere will open for Spyro Gyra.

2007 Smooth Jazz Awards Nominees

International Instrumental: Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Nick Colionne, Brian Culbertson, Wayman Tisdale

International Vocal: Corinne Bailey Rae, Michael Franks, Al Jarreau, Maysa, David Pack

Female Vocalist: Kellylee Evans, Molly Johnson, Liberty Silver, Amy Sky, Carol Welsman

Male Vocalist: Matt Dusk, DK Ibomeka, Marc Jordan, Chris Smith, Alfie Zappacosta

Group/Duo: Big Black Dog, Four80East, Dave and Mike Sereny, Strung Out Troubadours

Guitarist of the Year: Dave Dunlop, Rik Emmett, Johannes Linstead, Etric Lyons, Ian Martin, Pavlo

Wind Instrumentalist of the Year: Tom Colclough, Dave Dunlop, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, Warren Hill, Alexander Zonjic

Keyboardist/Pianist: Eddie Bullen, Andrew Craig, Rob De Boer, Carol Welsman

Album of the Year: Molly Johnson – Messin’ Around; Rik Emmett / Dave Dunlop – Strung Out Troubadours; Gabriel Mark Hasselbach – First Name Basis; Amy Sky – Life Lessons- The Best of Amy Sky; Carol Welsman – What’Cha Got Cookin’

Best Original Composition presented by SOCAN: Rob De Boer / Tony Grace – Noodle Soup; Molly Johnson / Craig Ross – Messin’ Around; Liberty Silver / Ali Lawrence – All in My Mind; Amy Sky /Eddie Schwartz – Everything Love Is; Chris Smith / Greg Kavanagh – Without You

Broadcaster of the Year: Ted Hasiuk – Café Jazz / Syndicated Radio Show – Winnipeg, Manitoba; Gary James – Wave 94.7FM – Hamilton/Toronto, Ontario; Jonathan Love – california 103FM – Calgary, Alberta; Cameron Smith – Smooth JazzTV/Syndicated TV Show – Dallas, Texas; Alexander Zonjic – WVMV-FM – Detroit, Michigan

George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award: Spyro Gyra

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