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Historic Jazz Music Awards Celebrate in Atlanta

Author: Staff

October 24, 2022

Less than 1 min.read

Trailblazers Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Henry Threadgill, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds, and Ambrose Akinmusire Honored In Words and Music

Powerful Live Performances and Heartfelt Tributes Accompany Wins for Christian McBride, Norman Brown, Ragan Whiteside, Samara Joy, Somi, Orrin Evans, Stacey Kent, Bob Baldwin, Kenny Garrett

Date Set for the Annual Jazz Music Awards in October 2023

It was a historic night of enlightenment, emotion, and of course, inspired Jazz performances at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards: Celebrating The Spirit of Jazz, held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first full-scale awards ceremony devoted to celebrating Jazz music and the artists who create it left the audience dazzled by the

Reeves opened the segment with her powerful composition, “Endangered Species,” also sung recently by Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph in her acceptance speech.

The Baylor Project, three-time Jazz Music Awards nominees, opened the show with the appropriately titled groove, “We Swing” featuring Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn.

Best Mainstream Artist winners, Kenny Garrett and Orrin Evans, along with James Genus and Terri Lyne Carrington, astoni

The show closed with an affecting performance by Lizz Wright and Tia Fuller of “Georgia On My Mind,” a tune that carries more weight during a tight state election season.

Nominee Brandee Younger, demonstrated the versatility of the harp over the infectious groove undercurrent in “Spirit U Will” with Terri Lyne Carrington’s All-Star Band, a collective of world-class musicians who played throughout the show.

The group included pianist Orrin Evans, bassist James Genus, guitarist Mark Whitfield, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, alto saxophonist Braxton Cook, trumpeter Milena Casado, keyboardist Ray Angry, drummer Nikki Glaspie, and DJ/percussionist Kassa Overall.

The show had emotional moments as well. James Patterson, 91, a beloved Clark Atlanta University Jazz professor, wept with joy upon receiving his Jazz Impact Award from George T. French Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University.

Many others – including hosts Bridgewater and Lindo – were sobered and dismayed by the more than one hundred jazz legends and icons listed during the In Memoriam tribute, who passed away between the latter part of December 2019 and October 2022, many of whose transitions were a sad surprise. And these moments only scratch the surface of the depth and breadth of what the Jazz Music Awards brought to bear – an evening of recognition that was deeply appreciated by the Jazz community.

Wendy F. Williams, the creator and executive producer of the Jazz Music Awards, says that the event proved to be everything and more than what

The second Annual Jazz Music Awards is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2023. Jazz Music Awards Week starts on Wednesday, October 18, through Saturday, October 21, 2023. Click any image to start a slideshow