The Jazz Journalist Association (JJA) announced the winners of its 20th annual Jazz Awards in 32 categories at a ceremony held in New York City at the Blue Note on June 15.
Highlights of the ceremony included saxophonist and flutist Henry Threadgill, who won a Pulitzer Prize for Music earlier this year for his album In for a Penny, In for a Pound, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz. Composer, arranger and bandleader Maria Schneider picked up five awards, including Musician of the Year and Best Album of 2015 for Thompson Fields. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington was named Up and Coming Artist of the Year.
Winners of the Jazz Awards will receive engraved statuettes from JJA members at their performances across the U.S. this summer. In addition, the winners of the Jazz Awards for Media, JJA’s awards honoring journalists, will be announced to the public at a ceremony held at the Blue Note in New York City on June 15 from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Music will be provided by solo pianist John Beasely, singer René Marie and her trio and drummer Herlin Riley’s quintet.
For more information, go to http://www.jjajazzawards.org/