Diana Krall Picks Up Three Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards
April 10, 2005 - It was a great evening for Diana Krall at the very first Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards in Oakville tonight. Canada's Jazz success story picked up three awards - "Female Vocalist," "Album" and "Best Original Composition." Krall was not there to accept her awards but Scott Morin from her label Verve accepted on her behalf. Alexander Zonjic who was nominated for three awards but came out empty handed did a fabulous job at the master of ceremonies mixing his sharp wit with a firm knowledge of the format. Zonjic was also a highlight as one of the performers of the evening. He brought the house down with "People Make the World Go Round." Brian Hughes opened the show with his Smooth Jazz hit "Wherever You Are." Warren Hill who was snowed in down south couldn't attend the ceremony but his father accepted his award for "Wind Instrumentalist of the Year." The Clayton Scott Group scored an upset beating out Jacksoul as "Group of the Year" and Rik Emmett won for "Guitarist of the Year." Other winners include Marc Jordan for "Male Vocalist of the Year" and Vickie Van Dyke claimed "Broadcaster of the Year." One of the highlights of the evening was George Benson himself accepting his "Lifetime Achievement Award. Benson said that Canada was very special to him and he was proud of this honour. Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards co-chair/co-creator John Beaudin said, "This is as proud as I've ever been in Smooth Jazz radio, almost everyone nominated was in this theater tonight. Mary Kirk, my co-chair did a simply wonderful job hosting the first one and the team from her end, Bob Farrow backstage and Vickie Van Dyke writing the whole show's script was just superb. Musical Director Andrew Scott kept it all together as well. The first Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards was a huge success; wait to see what we have lined up for next year!" Check out the complete list of winners. - by Shannon Edwards

Canadian Smooth Jazz Award Winners Sunday, April 10th, 2005
Congratulations to all award winners and nominees at the 2005 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. And the winners are.....

~ Duo/Group of the Year - The Clayton Scott Group
~ Album of the Year - Diana Krall, The Girl in the Other Room
~ Male Vocalist of the Year - Marc Jordan
~ Female Vocalist of the Year - Diana Krall
~ Keyboardist of the Year - Remy Shand
~ Wind Instrumentalist of the Year - Warren Hill
~ Songwriter of the Year (Presented by SOCAN) - Diana Krall & Elvis Costello "Narrow Daylight"
~ International Artist of the Year - Anita Baker
~ Lifetime Achievement Award - George Benson
~ Guitarist of the Year - Rik Emmett
~ Broadcaster of the Year - Vickie Van Dyke

Check out the winners from the first year 2005

Check out the winners from 2006