The 2019 Australian Jazz Bell Awards winners

On Monday 23 September, the 17th annual Australian Jazz Bell Awards acknowledged and applauded excellence of creativity, recording, performance and presentation of jazz in Australia.

[From the Media Release | Photos: Kevin Peterson]

The esteemed industry event celebrated the achievements of jazz musicians over the past year, with pianist Barney McAll and Andrea Keller being honoured for the second year running.
A total of seven categories were announced, including the prestigious Hall of Fame award. The winner of each category was presented an award along with $5,000 prize money.

The ceremony took place at Bird’s Basement in Melbourne, and judges included Albert Dadon, Martin and Adrian Jackson and Jessica Nicholas.

Winners for each category:

Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album (Sponsored by Brand Partners): Josh KyleTrombone Song Cycle

Adrian Jackson presents Josh Kyle with the Bell Award for the Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Best Australian Instrumental Jazz Album (Sponsored by Jazz Corner Hotel): Sam AnningAcross A Field As Vast As One

(L-R) Miriam Zolin, (Jazz Corner Hotel Manager) Harry Isen, Natasha Fearnside (who received the Best Instrumental Album Award on behalf of Sam Anning) and drummer Raj Jayaweera. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Best Produced Album (Sponsored by Alfi Records): Barney McAll Feat. Monash Art Ensemble –Zephyrix

Alfi Records’ Gary Szoka presents Barney McAll with the Bell Award for Best Produced Album. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Best Australian Jazz Ensemble of the Year (Sponsored by Ubertas): Andrea KellerFive Below Live

Bassist Mick Meagher receives the Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Ensemble, on behalf of Nine Below bandleader Andrea Keller. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year (Sponsored by Fender Katsalidis): Niran DasikaSuzaku

Karl Fender presents Niran Dasika with the Bell Award for Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Best Australian Jazz Work of the Year (Sponsored by APRA/AMCOS): Jonathan Zwartz – ‘Animarum’ (From Animarum)

Jonathan Zwartz receives the Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Work of the Year from APRA/AMCOS’ Chris O’ Neill. | Photo: Kevin Peterson

Saxophonist Sandy Evans was inducted into the Hall of Fame, following posthumous inductees Bryce Rohde, Horst Liepolt and Allan Zavod.

Jonathan Zwartz receives the Greame Bell Hall of Fame Award, on behalf of Sandy Evans, from Simon Barr (representing Bird’s Basement). | Photo: Kevin Peterson
Here at Australian Jazz Net, we’d like to congratulate everyone who made it to the shortlist: Harriett Allcroft and Margie Lou Dyer (nominated for Best Australian Vocal Jazz Album); Flora Carbo and Josh Bennier (nominated for Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year); and Mat Jodrell (nominated for Best Australian Jazz Work, Best Australian Instrumental Jazz Album and Best Produced Album).