On the same evening it kicked American hockey booty in the Olympics, Canada celebrated by feting its homegrown jazz “medallists” on Sun. Feb. 24 at the “First Annual National Jazz Awards”-music that, like cheap cigarettes and backup infielders, the U.S. has exported to the Great White North with great success. The ceremony was held in Toronto.
Oscar Peterson was honored by Christian Höferl, vice president of sales and marketing for Bösendorfer Pianos in Vienna, Austria, with the first-ever Bösendorfer Lifetime Achievement Award. Peterson was also recognized as an inaugural inductee into the Canadian Jazz & Blues Hall of Fame along with Moe Koffman, Jackie Washington and Dutch Mason. Jane Bunnett won the “Miscellaneous” award. Other, more definitive award winners include: