WVAS 90.7 FM, the “Voice of Alabama State University” is serving as a radio partner for the inaugural global awards ceremony, The Jazz Music Awards: Celebrating the Spirit of Jazz.
This event will recognize individuals who have made – and continue to make – a lasting contribution to this uniquely American art form.
Finalists in each category are the result of the first round of nominations submitted during the eligibility period from April 1 – March 31. These well-deserved honors will be presented at the Jazz Music Awards ceremony, set for Oct. 22, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, and the Jazz Legend Award will be presented to the family of the late pianist and composer McCoy Tyner.
Among the outstanding jazz artists nominated for awards are Alabama-based drummer/producer James “PJ” Spraggins (Song of the Year), The Baylor Project, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Joey DeFrancesco, and many more.
An added attraction during the Jazz Music Awards will be several live performances. These will include appearances by Grammy Award-winning artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ledisi, Lizz Wright, and Jazzmeia Horn. All performances will be under the musical direction of NEA Jazz Master and three-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist and composer Terri Lyne Carrington, who serves as the musical director and co-executive producer for the inaugural ceremony.
The Jazz Music Awards recognize and amplify jazz as a vibrant cornerstone of all American music that has profoundly influenced American language, style, traditions, and sounds, producing heroes and cultural phenomena. Wendy F. Williams is the creator and executive producer of the Jazz Music Awards, as well as the general manager of the sister station of WVAS, Atlanta’s Jazz 91.9 WCLK, which is a nonprofit division at Clark Atlanta University.
“WVAS is honored to serve as a Radio Partner for this penultimate experience,” states Candy Capel, WVAS Station Manager. “As soon as we were approached by WCLK, we knew that we wanted to be part of this history-making event.”