Australian Jazz Bell Awards, also known as the Bell Awards or The Bells, are annual music awards for the jazz genre in Australia. They were named in honour of Australian jazz pianist, composer and band leader, Graeme Bell (1914–2012), at their inception in 2003 at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.[1]
The awards were announced by Bell and Victoria's Minister for the Arts, Mary Delahunty, on 5 June 2003 to recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally. They were the inspiration of festival chairman, Albert Dadon, and its artistic director, Adrian Jackson. The latter explained, "The Bells will put the spotlight on the Australian jazz industry that it has never enjoyed before. These new industry gongs will recognise the achievement of excellence by many artists, record companies and venues, and will encourage others to match those achievements."[2]
In 2008, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, was established to present the awards, which thereby became separate from the Melbourne International Jazz Festival committee. The number of awards have varied with six to nine categories being provided each year. The awards were not presented in 2005 or 2020.
Awards
2003 Bell Awards
The inaugural Australian Jazz Awards were presented at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel during the Melbourne International Jazz Festival on 28 August 2003, honouring artists in nine categories.[3][4]
On 10 August 2004 a new artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, Carlo Pagnotta, formerly director of Italy's Umbria Jazz Festival, announced the 27 nominees of the second Bell Awards, honouring artists in nine categories.[5] The winners were awarded on 25 August in Melbourne.[6]
In 2006 Albert Dadon took over the role of artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, following differences with Pagnotta over the festival's direction two years earlier. Dadon was chairman of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, for their third ceremony honouring artists in nine categories.[7][8]
In 2007 Albert Dadon continued as artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival and as chairman of the fourth Australian Jazz Bell Awards, honouring artists in seven categories.[9][10]
On 29 April 2008 the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the fifth Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard attending.[11][12][13] The awards were separated from the Melbourne Jazz Festival in 2008 with a new company The Australian Jazz Awards Limited formed as a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, to run the ceremony. They honoured artists in eight categories.
On 23 April 2009 the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the sixth Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Gillard attending.[14][15] They honoured artists in seven categories.
On 2 May 2013 the tenth Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented by Jazz Artist and Chairman Albert Dadon AM and with Tracey Curro as MC at Melbourne's Regent Theatre,[19] which honoured artists in eight categories.
On 1 May 2014 the 11th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented by jazz artist and Australian Jazz Awards Limited chairman, Albert Dadon, with Tracey Curro as MC at Melbourne's Plaza Ballroom.[20][21] They honoured artists in eight categories.
Year
Nominee / work
Award
Result
2014
This Is Always – Julien Wilson Quartet
Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album
Won
Monash Art Ensemble – Monash Art Ensemble
Best Australian Contemporary Avant-garde Jazz Album
On 30 April 2015 the 12th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented and hosted by Helen Kapalos at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.[22][23] Nominees were announced on 20 April.[24] The ceremony honoured artists in eight categories.
On 20 June 2016 the 13th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented at Bird's Basement, Melbourne.[25][26][27] Nominees were announced on 12 May.[26] The ceremony honoured artists in eight categories.
On 15 May 2017 the 14th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented at Bird's Basement, Melbourne.[28][29] Nominees were announced on 27 April.[30] The ceremony honoured artists in seven categories.
Iron in the Blood – Jeremy Rose and the Earshift Orchestra
Best Produced Album
Won
Consider This – Andrea Keller and Tim Wilson Duo
Nominated
The Migration – Stu Hunter
Nominated
The Migration – Stu Hunter
Best Australian Jazz Ensemble
Won
A Flower is a Lovesome Thing – Michelle Nicolle Quartet
Nominated
The Vampires
Nominated
"Eagle Fish" – Stu Hunter
Best Australian Jazz Song
Won
Andrea Keller and Tim Wilson Duo
Nominated
Eugene Ball 4tet
Nominated
A Flower is a Lovesome Thing – Michelle Nicolle Quartet
Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album
Won
Kristin Bernardi
Nominated
The Migration – Stu Hunter
Nominated
Harry Mitchell
Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year
Won
Ted Vining
Graeme Bell Hall of Fame
Inductee
2018 Bell Awards
The 15th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented on 14 May 2018,[31][32] which honoured artists in seven categories. Nominees were announced on 8 May.[32]
