2006 BBC JAZZ AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The BBC Jazz Awards were announced at a ceremony in London on 13th July at which Lifetime Awards were also presented to Quincy Jones and Ian Carr.

BEST BAND - Dennis Rollins’ Bad Bone & Co

Trombonist and bandleader Dennis Rollins has performed with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the all-black jazz big band, The Jazz Warriors. He launched his Dennis Rollins' Bad Bone & Co in 2000 and its mix of funky, groove-based dance music and jazz rhythms have won a large following in many countries.

BEST OF JAZZ AWARD - Anita Wardell

In the tradition of Sarah Vaughan, Anita Wardell is as comfortable singing bebop improvisations as she is with conventional ballads. Beginning as a much sought after backing singer, in recent years she has achieved widespread acclaim for her own distinctive style as an inventive interpreter of the standard repertoire as well as a fine writer and performer of new material.

BEST INSTRUMENTALIST - Alan Barnes

Multi-saxophonist and clarinetist Barnes is well known at the Awards. Emerging in the 1980s he has been a major figure on the UK jazz scene ever since. He has led several groups and worked with the likes of Humphrey Lyttleton, Dave Newton, Tony Coe, Ken Peplowski, Warren Vache, Charlie Watts and Bryan Ferry. His latest album 'Yeah!' is a tribute to hard bop pianist and composer Horace Silver.

BEST VOCALIST - Clare Teal

Long overdue recognition for Clare Teal, who made her recording debut in 2001. Since then her instantly recognizable tone and unique take on The Great American Songbook, coupled with finely crafted writing skills, have established her as one of the UK's leading jazz performers. Signed to Sony last year in a record breaking deal for a jazz artist, Teal will release her second album for the label later this year.

RISING STAR - Andrew McCormack

A dynamic young pianist whose work with Denys Baptiste, Jean Toussaint and others have brought him to the attention of admirers like Julian Joseph and John Taylor. McCormack's well received debut album 'Telescope' was released earlier this year.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - The Lyric – Jim Tomlinson featuring
Stacey Kent

Success for the husband and wife team with this collection of standards. Tomlinson’s Getz-like sound is quite lyrical in its interpretation of composers ranging from Hoagy Carmichael to Luis Bonfa and provides a near-perfect accompaniment to Kent’s distinctive vocals on ten of the thirteen tracks. A well-crafted and breezily relaxed album.

RADIO 2 ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Jools Holland

The multi-faceted pianist, band leader, radio and television presenter, recording star and co- founder of Squeeze has established a unique place within the music scene as both communicator and musician. Great success with his Later… series.

JAZZ ON 3 INNOVATION AWARD - Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Project

Saxophonist and composer Tim Garland has a long pedigree of creating innovative and imaginative music. The judges were impressed by Tim's composition, If The Sea Replied, which combines the Northern Sinfonia, his jazz trio and solo improvisations inside a lighthouse! The project combines spoken word, explorations of unique acoustics and brilliant improvising to produce something very original.

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