FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2009

5TH ANNUAL CANADIAN SMOOTH JAZZ AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

WARREN HILL TOPS THE LIST WITH THREE AND EARL KLUGH RECEIVES GEORGE BENSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

April 25, 2009 - Toronto - Canada's annual Smooth Jazz celebration took place at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga last night with an all-star cast.

Warren Hill led the list of winners with three Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.
The popular saxophonist won for 'Wind Instrumentalist of the Year,' 'Best Original Composition' for 'La Dolce Vita' (co-written by Nathan East and Sam
Purkin) and the CD of the same name picked up 'Album of the Year.' With his newest honours, Hill also becomes the winningest artist in the history of the
awards with six since 2005.

As in previous years, awards were split between Canadian and International categories. Winners in the latter category included multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson who picked up 'International Instrumentalist of the Year' and Seal won 'International Vocalist.' Super-group Fourplay won in the 'Group' Category.

Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook picked up 'Guitarist of the Year.' He also won in the same category in 2006 and 2008.

Toronto's Daniela Nardi won her first Canadian Smooth Jazz Award last night. She took home 'Female Vocalist of the Year.'

International sensation Robin Thicke whose R&B flavored music has sold millions was awarded 'Male Vocalist of the Year.'

Other winners include Steve Heathcote as the first winner of the new category 'Drummer/Percussionist of the year' and Fred Engler won in the 'Keyboardist/Pianist' category. Stu Berketo of Wave 94.7 FM in Toronto/Hamilton was awarded 'Broadcaster of
the Year."

The night was filled with amazing performances including that of 'Lifetime Achievement'' winner Earl Klugh. The legendary guitarist followed in the footsteps of previous winners, George Benson, Bob James, Spyro Gyra and Lee Ritenour.

Performers included Nick Colionne, Brian Culbertson, DeNate with Darren Rahn, Kellylee Evans, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, Warren Hill, Michael Lington, Ray Parker Jr., Chris Smith with Phil Poppa, and Alexander Zonjic.

The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards was started in 2005 by co-chairs, Mary Kirk of Wave 94.7FM Toronto/Hamilton, Ont. and John Beaudin, owner Smooth Jazz Now.com.

For further information, contact: http://www.canadiansmoothjazzawards.com
Mary Kirk, CSJA Chair

mary@kx96.fm
416 565 7211