Performing Arts

Helpmann Academy Jazz Awards 2010

Helpmann Academy logoPresented by the Helpmann Academy
Attended Thursday 19th August 2010

http://www.helpmannacademy.com.au

Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, North Terrace, Adelaide

The Elder Conservatorium of Music’s School of Jazz Studies has been producing some fine musicians over the years and this years awards were presented to another small group of highly talented emerging performers. The evening was filled with music, the first set comprising seven numbers, giving the award winners a chance to show their abilities. The eight musicians had ample opportunity to show there skills in ensemble playing and soloing, with the two drummers and two bassists taking turns.

Following a short break, the first award to be announced was the Intercontinental Award for Most Outstanding Honours Jazz Student for 2009. So high was the standard that it had been impossible to decide between two students. Rather than split the award between them, some fund-raising had been carried out by the Friends of the Helpmann Academy and a second award was presented this year. The two recipients were bassist Alana Dawes and drummer Joel Prime. Both of these musicians are already in demand around Adelaide. Dawes came to my attention during the recent Cabaret Festival where her particularly melodic lines stood out on a number of occasions. Prime has also impressed me with the crispness and inventiveness of his playing.

Saxophonist, Andrew Crago, won the City of Adelaide Award for Most outstanding Undergraduate Jazz Student for 2009, Anna Butterss, won the Keith Langley Award for Top Jazz Bass Undergraduate for 2009, Alex Wignall won the Tommy Norman Scholarship for Top Jazz Piano Undergraduate for 2009, Sam Arthurson won Mitzi’s Prize for Top Jazz Guitar Undergraduate for 2009, Annabel Weston won the dB Magazine Award for Top Jazz Voice Undergraduate for 2009 and Stephen Neville won the Billy Hyde Award for Top Jazz Drums Undergraduate for 2009. Having been listening to them all play earlier in the evening, it was clear why they had won these awards.

Then it was back to more music with vocalist, Michelle Nicolle, who also trained at the Elder Conservatorium, as the guest in the second set. Again, the bassists and drummer alternated, all of the winners having a chance to work with Nicolle and to show, once more, there individual and collective abilities. This was a highly enjoyable evening of great jazz and it was a pleasure to see talent and hard work being rewarded

Reported by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.

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