JUNO’s Part One, Over 30 Awards Handed Out

music news, Canada

2008 JUNO Awards
Calgary, Alberta

Jazz, Blues Awards Handed Out During Non-Televised Gala Ceremony

Just over 30 Juno Awards were handed out last night during the gala ceremony at Telus Convention Centre. The non-televised event was part one of two nights of Juno Award ceremonies, with tonight’s celebration being telecast for the 7th year by CTV.

Among the artist and industry awards handed were the those in the Blues and Jazz Categories. Veterans Toronto band Fathead captured the Blues category for their sixth critically acclaimed album and bassist Chris Tarry took the Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year, while newcomers Sophie Milman won the Vocal Jazz Album award and bassist Brandi Disterheft received the prize for Traditional Jazz Album.

Tonight’s gala event will be hosted by Russell Peters and broadcast live from the Pengrowth Saddledome. The star-studded roster of artists slated to appear include performances by Avril Lavigne, Feist, Finger Eleven, Hedley, Jully Black, Measha Brueggergosman and Michael Bublé. Anne Murray will appear in special duet performances with Jann Arden and Sarah Brightman. Aaron Lines, Gord Bamford, Johnny Reid, Paul Brandt and Shane Yellowbird will perform in a special all-country musical tribute to the host city and province.

***2008 JUNO AWARD WINNERS -PART ONE***

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
FATHEAD Building Full of Blues
Electro-Fi*Festival

FATHEADS’s 2007 release, Building Full of Blues, is the sixth album in a critically acclaimed catalog that has won the group nominations and awards, including a JUNO Award and several Maple Blues Awards. Marrying blues with elements of soul, R&B, and a little bit of Cajun spice, the band has a distinctive sound. The band consists of leader Al Lerman (harp, sax, vocals), Omar Tunnoch (bass, vocals), John Mays (lead vocals), Darran Poole (guitar) and Bucky Berger (drums).

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Chris Tarry Group Almost Certainly Dreaming
Nineteen Eight*Festival

The Chris Tarry Group has been in existence in many different incarnations since 1994. With seven award-winning albums ranging in scope from trio’s to 15 piece mini-big bands, Chris Tarry has constantly pushed the envelope of jazz with the presentation of his music. Seven sold out concert tours and many festival appearances have made The Chris Tarry Group one of the most successful jazz groups in North America. Regular appearances in New York, Los Angeles, and Europe have increased the band’s international exposure. Chris’ experience as one of the worlds top call electric bass players is a huge influence on the type of music he writes. Always eclectic, always soulful, and always memorable, The Chris Tarry Group brings you the history of contemporary jazz warmly wrapped with the ability of some of the greatest players in the world.

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Brandi Disterheft Debut
Superfran*Festival

She’s already jammed her CV with concerts at Carnegie Hall, jazz festivals in Vienna and Chicago, halls in Japan and China, and performed as a featured soloist with the Canada Pops Orchestra — all by age 25. Her new album, Debut, descends from the tradition of Mingus and Blakey, combining touches of lush atmosphere with lively, swinging grooves. The late Oscar Peterson said of her: “She is what we call serious.”

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sophie Milman Make Someone Happy
Linus*Universal

Only in her mid-‘20s, Sophie Milman’s 2004 self-titled debut has sold almost 100,000 copies worldwide, hit the Billboard Top 5 in Canada and the Top 15 in the United States, and topped the iTunes jazz charts in five different territories. Meanwhile, she has headlined sold-out shows in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Japan, and throughout Europe – all the while continuing her commerce studies at the University of Toronto. Her new album, Make Someone Happy, tells a tale of her past, her present, and a future.

ABORIGINAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Derek Miller The Dirty Looks
Arbor*EMI

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Blue Rodeo Small Miracles
WEA*Warner

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Feist WINNER
Arts&Crafts*EMI

CD/DVD ARTWORK DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Tracy Maurice (Director/Designer); François Miron (Photographer)
Album: Neon Bible
Performer: Arcade Fire
Merge*FAB

CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Jen Gould Music Soup
Independent

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LARGE ENSEMBLE OR SOLOIST(S) WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE ACCOMPANIMENT
James Ehnes, Bramwell Tovey, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Korngold, Barber & Walton Violin Concertos
CBC*Universal

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO OR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Marc-André Hamelin
Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano
Hyperion*SRI

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Measha Brueggergosman
Suprise
Deutsche Grammophon*Universal

CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
Christos Hatzis
Constantinople
Analekta*Select

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Brian Doerksen
Holy God
Integrity Music

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY GALAXIE - CBC’S CONTINUOUS MUSIC NETWORK)
Billy Newton-Davis vs. Deadmau5
All U Ever Want
Play Records

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Daniel Bélanger
L ‘Echec Du Materiel
Audiogram*Select

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Jayme Stone
The Utmost
Independent*Festival

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Rihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad
Def Jam*Universal

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Joni Mitchell
Hana, Bad Dreams - Shine
Hear Music/Concord*Universal

MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR
Pierre & François Lamoureux, Billy Talent, Pierre Tremblay, Steve Blair
666 Live
Performer: Billy Talent
WEA*Warner

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FACTOR AND CANADA’S PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS)
Serena Ryder
EMI

R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO)
Jully Black
Revival
Jully Black Ent.*Universal

RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY 91.7 THE BOUNCE)
Belly
The Revolution
CP*Fontana North

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Churko
I Don’t Wanna Stop, God Bless the Almighty Dollar - Black RainI
Performer: Ozzy Osbourne
Epic*SONY BMG

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Mikey Dangerous
Dont Go Pretending
Independent

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Finger Eleven
Them VS. You VS. Me
Wind-Up*Warner

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: GROUP
Nathan
Kay Principles
Nettwerk*SONY BMG

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO
David Francey
Right of Passage
Laker*Festival

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Feist
My Moon My Man, 1234, I Feel it All
Arts&Crafts*EMI

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY VIDEOFACT)
Christopher Mills
Blue Rodeo C’mon
Warner

WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY THE CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS)
Alex Cuba
Agua Del Pozo
Caracol*Festival

for more info visit www.junoawards.ca