Alexander Zonjic and Michael Kaeshammer Pick Up Two Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards
 April 23, 2010 – What an incredible evening it was marking the 6th annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards! After the highest voting turnout ever for the event two performers came out with a pair of awards each – Alexander Zonjic and Michael Kaeshammer.
Zonjic, who has served as the ceremony’s host for the past six years, picked up the coveted “Broadcaster of the Year” award and his popular CD “Doin’ the D” won “Album of the Year.”
Kaeshammer, who was born in Germany, was honoured with “Keyboardist of the Year” and his hit song “Isabelle” picked up “Best Original Composition.” It was co-written by Ron Lopata, Andrea Koziol and Joel Parisien.
The sold out show, which was filmed for broadcast by Rogers Television, featured performances by Greg Adams, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Paul Brown, Four80East, Jessy J, Michael Kaeshammer, Darren Rahn, Peter White and Alexander Zonjic. David Sanborn, who also performed, was given the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award by legendary producer Phil Ramone (who also produced Sanborn’s latest album “Only Everything”).
Other winners included George Benson's award for “International Instrumentalist of the Year,” Norah Jones was “International Vocalist of the Year” and “International Group” was Pieces of a Dream.
Carol Welsman won for “Female Vocalist” and Michael Buble was “Male Vocalist of the Year.” Newcomer Rob Tardik was awarded “Guitarist of the Year,” Carson Freeman was “Wind Instrumentalist of the Year” and Tony Grace of Four80East picked up the “Drummer/Percussionist” prize. Group/Duo of the Year was the Groove Kings.
For more information go to www.smoothjazzawards.com - by John Beaudin
PHIL RAMONE PRESENTS GEORGE BENSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO DAVID SANBORN AT 6TH ANNUAL “SMOOTHIES” APRIL 23, MISSISSAUGA LIVING ARTS CENTRE
April 1, 2010 – The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards (CSJA) is less than a month away on Friday, April 23, 8 p.m.at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre. A three hour musical extravaganza presenting some of the best and funkiest artists in North America; the list of performers includes Jessy J, Michael Kaeshammer, Groove Kings, Four80East, Darren Rahn, Peter White, Greg Adams, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Peter White, Paul Brown, and Alexander Zonjic, who is also the host. Of course, David Sanborn provides the evening’s climax with his performance, after receiving the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award. As hugely successful as these artists’ recordings have been, they cannot live up to the excitement and energy of the dynamic live performances witnessed annually at the CSJA. Mary Kirk, the show’s Executive Producer, says “This year’s party should be fantastic with David Sanborn staying for the weekend, and renowned producer, Phil Ramone, flying in from New York City to present David’s award. With this wonderful Canadian and international group of artists on stage, we’ll have the fans dancing in the aisles as always”.
Phil Ramone“is the archetypal Man with the Golden Ears” (SoundonSound recording magazine). A stellar recording engineer with 15 Grammies, an Emmy and countless other accolades during a 40-year career, Phil Ramone has produced the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, The Guess Who, Ray Charles, B.B.King, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan and Madonna; the list never ending. He is currently perfecting the latest CD release by Montreal teen, Nikki Yanofsky who sang at the 2010 Olympic Games ceremonies in Vancouver.
Alexander Zonjic is a classically trained pop-jazz flautist from Windsor, Ontario, who performs regularly with his Detroit band throughout the Michigan area and Toronto. Zonjic has released 11 solo albums, the latest earning him 3 nominations this year. He is a tireless festival producer, sharing stages with his good friends Bob James, Earl Klugh, Kirk Whalum and Pieces of a Dream, to name just a few. Until recently he was the morning man on Detroit’s WVMV-FM and now hosts one hour specialty show (From A to Z) on WAVE 94.7FM in Toronto every Friday and Saturday night. He has been the hilarious host of the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards since 2005.
Hot young star Jessy J is a Mexican American saxophonist/vocalist who released her 2nd CD True Love, in 2009, earning her nomination as International Instrumentalist of the Year at the Awards. Her debut CD earned accolades as Radio and Records "Debut Artist of The Year" and contemporary jazz song of the year by R&R and Billboard for the title track #1 for eight weeks. Over the past two years she has toured with Michael Bolton and been a featured performer with pop jazz genre greats Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove and Jeff Golub.
Michael Kaeshammer is a classically-trained German Canadian boogie-woogie pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger. As a teen wunderkind he began playing boogie-woogie piano in clubs, concerts and festivals Germany wide. Following a move to west coast Canada, Kaeshammer turned heads at performances at blues and jazz festivals across the country in the summer of 1996; the rest is history. Besides playing the piano he also sings blues and jazz. With five solo albums to his credit, he has performed and toured extensively in the United States and Europe. “Kaeshammer style can be described as a brilliant and original jazz meets pop musical gumbo". (Kaeshammer’s website)
Saxophonist and producer Darren Rahn is one of the most talented andversatile young artists on the scene today. He recently received his first #1 hit on the R&R Smooth Jazz chart as both producer and saxophonist on Wayman Tisdale’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” In the number one position for four weeks, it stayed in the top ten for nearly eight months and on the charts for a year. Darren is a seasoned producer, writer, arranger, studio musician and performer – and is the recipient of several prestigious Downbeat Magazine awards. As a saxophonist, he has performed, headlined and recorded with a number of notable artists including the Yellowjackets, Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, Nelson Rangell, Wayman Tisdale, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Abraham Laboriel Jr. etc.
Peter White is a guitarist who plays the accordion and the piano. White first gained fame with his distinctive guitar style accompanying Al Stewart. During his 20 year tenure with Stewart, he co-wrote many songs including Stewart's 1978 Top 10 hit "Time Passages". Since 1990 White has recorded thirteen solo CDs. In 2000 White won three Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards: CD of the Year for Perfect Moment, Song of the Year for "Midnight in Manhattan" with Grover Washington Jr. and Best Guitarist. Peter also records with his brother, Danny White, one of the original members of the UK based band Matt Bianco, and Basia.
For four decades trumpeter, composer, arranger and producer Greg Adams has transcended musical genres. A long time member of the hugely popular funk/R & B band, Tower of Power, Adams has performed on over 500 recordings and toured the globe with countless world class groups. His horn arrangements have graced hits from Santana, Elton John, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Little Feat, Chaka Kahn and numerous others. He has received both Emmy and GRAMMY® Nominations during his career and has released seven solo albums currently with East Bay Soul.
Rick Braun is California based trumpeter and composer who got his start by playing in several bands, including guitarist Jeff Golub's Avenue Blue. He also collaborated with saxophonist Boney James on a remake of the Hugh Masekela's "Grazin' in the Grass." He also plays with saxman Richard Elliot, his musical and business partner, as R&R. He has toured with Sade, and has 15 CD releases to his credit (some in collaboration).
Paul Brown: In addition to GRAMMY® wins as producer and engineer for Norman Brown’s Just Chillin’ and helming hits for instrumental and vocal stars like Kirk Whalum, Larry Carlton and Patti Austin, Brown—known by some as “The Babyface of Smooth Jazz” achieved a lifelong dream when he produced tracks for George Benson, his chief guitar influence. Classically trained at the International School of Classical Guitar, Brown has worked with Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Queen Latifah, Sting, George Benson and Celine Dion etc.
An integral part of the urban jazz experience Marc Antoine has blended his love for R&B, jazz and world rhythms on hit recordings that include Urban Gypsy, Madrid, Universal Language and The Very Best of Marc Antoine. Antoine’s recording appearances include Jeff Golub, David Benoit, Dave Koz and Mindi Abair. His latest collaboration with Paul Brown, Foreign Exchange earns them a nomination as International Group/Duo of the Year.
Four80East is the brainchild of Toronto producers, Tony Grace and Rob DeBoer of indie label/production house, Boomtang. Their unique electro-funk vibe has led to great international success with charting singles from four albums, including the latest Roll On. Their US summer tours have included return visits to the prestigious Catalina Jazz Festival.
Groove Kings is an explosive blues, rock and R&B duo from Montreal put together by guitarist/songwriter Howard Forman and powerful vocalist Irene Marc. Their latest release Blood Red in 2009 has been critically acclaimed and garnered them a nomination as Group/Duo of the Year at the CSJA.
Finally, five time GRAMMY® award recipient, sax giant David Sanborn will be surrounded by his fellow friends and passionate fans celebrating his 40 year career and 24 recordings. Testament to Sanborn’s massive list of collaboration with huge artists, Phil Ramone makes a special trip to join the festivities, guaranteeing a fine evening of music and laughter.
See www.canadiansmoothjazzawards.com
Also visit www.wave947.fm and www.smoothjazznow.com
For further information about the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards or to book interviews
Contact: Gaye Hardiman/GOYAworks gayeh@rogers.com or call 416.875.3346,
Mary Kirk mary@wave947.fm or call 416.565.7211, www.wave947.fm
For tickets contact the Mississauga Living Arts Centre call: 905.306.6000
Toll free 1.866.805.8888, Tickets are $75 to $100
Record Numbers of Votes Registered for the 6th Annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards
February 22, 2010 – The annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards ballot count ending last Friday (Feb. 19) reflects a dramatic increase in voter interest. Awards co-chair, Mary Kirk, of Wave 94.7FM says, “Thank you to the huge number of fans from all over the world who took time to send in their ballots.”
“I think the fans look forward to being involved each year,” says John Beaudin, co-chair and Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now.com. “This year more than any other we received hundreds of emails from fans wanting voting information months before the nominations were even announced. I think this awards body is very relevant to the lovers of this format”
The results of the voting will be announced at the Awards show on April 23. As Kirk points out, the winners in many categories are never evident until the very end of the voting period. “With so many outstanding nominees in every category, you can understand why these races go right down to the wire!”
Performers this year include guitar superstars Marc Antoine, Paul Brown and Peter White. Saxophonists Darren Rahn and Jessy J are also set to take the stage as well as flutist and long-time host of the event Alexander Zonjic. The evening will also include performances by trumpeter Rick Braun, pianist Michael Kaeshammer and the Toronto band Four80East. Former trumpeter for Tower of Power, Greg Adams will be making an appearance, as will members of Pieces of a Dream.
15 time Grammy Award winning producer Phil Ramone will present the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award to Jazz legend David Sanborn. The famous sax player has been an innovator not only in Jazz music but its related genres. From his debut album “Taking off” in 1975 until his latest release “Only Everything,” produced by Ramone, Sanborn’s projects have always been treated as major events for fans.
The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards will take place on Friday, April 23, 8pm at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Tickets are still available from LAC at 905 306 6000 or toll free 1 888 805 8888.
Top Jazz Musicians Show David Sanborn Nothing But Love
 January 27, 2010 – It’s a love-fest at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. The tributes are pouring in for David Sanborn, this year’s recipient of the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award. Benson, who won the first honor and has since had the award named after him, was the first to tip his hat to Sanborn, “We both have tremendous identities in the world of Smooth Jazz,” says Benson. “It would be hard to find anyone amongst serious music listeners who does not recognize the name David Sanborn and the great music he plays. So, I am not surprised that he is being honored as this year's recipient of the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Cameron Smith mid-day at Smooth Jazz Now.com says, “David has been a friend and inspiration to me…the fact that he survived polio as a young boy by spending time in an iron lung and picked up the sax to help build back his strength in his lungs is a just part of his story. His artistic genius, his sense of humor and humility make him a remarkable human being…his lifetime is full of achievement on so many levels.”
Smooth Jazz superstar Boney James added, “David's music was a tremendous influence on my playing and he's always been a great inspiration in my pursuit of a career as a saxophonist. I'm grateful to know him."
The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards will take place on Friday, April 23 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Tickets are available from LAC at 905 306 6000 or toll free 1 888 805 8888.
Click here to visit the David Sanborn tribute pages.
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