Jeff Charney

Getting Smooth in Chicago
The Grammys have come and gone and, as usual, I was mostly disappointed with the outcome of the categories I cared about. I can't complain too much, though; I'm eligible to join NARAS, but have never felt that the entrance fee was worth the once-a-year vote.

The Rippingtons

The Smooth Jazz Awards, on the other hand, were presented on March 3 in Chicago, and these awards are the result of the votes of music fans who participated on the web. Even though a show like this is mostly about popularity, it means the genre is being taken seriously, at least on the surface.

There were nearly 20 categories at the Smooth Jazz Awards this year. "Radio Station of the Year" went to Chicago's WNUA -- the host station of the show. Last year the event was held in Dallas... and that city's smooth jazz station won.

The other category that seemed a little fishy was "New Artist of the Year." Dotsero was nominated, but they are not a "new artist." Their first CD came out in 1989. The winner was Bona Fide, and that would be okay except they were new artists in 1999, not 2000.

Whatever. It's all good exposure for the format. Here are the winners:

• Best Guitar Player -- Peter White
  
• Best Brass Player -- Rick Braun
  
• Best Bass Player -- Nathan East
  
• Best Sax Player -- Dave Koz
  
• Best Keyboard Player -- David Benoit
  
• Best Percussion Player -- Harvey Mason
  
• Best Vocalist -- Al Jarreau
  
• Best Female Artist -- Keiko Matsui
  
• Best Male Artist -- Dave Koz
  
• Best Group -- The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
  
• Best CD -- The Dance by Dave Koz
  
• Best Song - "Grazin' In the Grass," Boney James/Rick Braun
  
• Best New Artist -- Bona Fide
  
• Artist of the Year -- Dave Koz
  
• Best Radio Station -- WNUA, Chicago
  
• Best Smooth Jazz Festival -- Montreux, Switzerland
  
• Best Smooth Jazz Venue -- Humphrey's in San Diego
  
• The Oasis Winelight Award for Exceptional Contribution to Smooth Jazz -- Carol Archer
  
• National Smooth Jazz Awards for Lifetime Achievement -- Joe Sample and David Sanborn.
  

Trivia Question:
What two Contemporary Jazz bands are celebrating their Silver Anniversary this year? (see below)

Other C-Jazz News
Ken Burns' "Jazz," the five-CD boxed set companion to the PBS documentary, has been certified Platinum. It's the first time in history that a jazz boxed set has reached over one million shipped units.

Congratulations to Al Jarreau who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 6.

Dave Koz, who won three Smooth Jazz Awards this year, is joining the KTWV (Los Angeles) morning staff. His syndicated show already airs on the station. He will start this new job in early April.

Like many of today's sports stars, musicians also get to be free agents. Recent signings include Doc Powell with Samson (Life Changes is due out April 10), Spyro Gyra with Heads Up (their upcoming May 22 release is Feelin' Fine), Marcus Miller with Telarc (M2 is also out on May 22), Richard Elliot with GRP (Forbidden Fruit on June 5) and Kansas City's Max Groove with Orpheus/EMI. Groove's new project, It's A Beautiful Day, hits retail on May 8.

And, of course, some artists tend to stay with the same team. Kenny G, the favorite whipping boy of the Jazz Police, has signed a new long term deal with Arista.

See You On the Web
Be sure to check out my web site at www.contemporaryjazz.com.

And if you'd like to send an email, jeff@contemporaryjazz.com is how to get in touch.

(Who's 25 this year? Spyro Gyra and Pieces of a Dream.)

Jeff Charney is the host of the "Sunday Jazz Brunch," which can be heard every Sunday on KPRS Hot 103 Jamz (103.3 FM) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.



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