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Canada Celebrates Gold in Jazz

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:

Jazz Festival: Festival International du Jazz du Montreal

Broadcaster: Ross Porter (CBC Radio 2, “After Hours”)

Journalist: Mark Miller (Globe and Mail & Author)

Producer: Jim West/Brigham Phillips

Saxophonist: Mike Murley

Bassist: Dave Young/Steve Wallace

Keyboardist: Dave Restivo

Drummer: Terry Clarke

Violin: Hugh Marsh

Percussion: Rick Lazar

Composer: Nick Ali

SOCAN Composer: D.D. Jackson

Clarinet: Phil Nimmons

Acoustic Group: Barry Elmes Quintet

Electric Group: Metalwood

Arranger: Rob McConnell

Trombonist: Rob McConnell

Trumpet: Turcotte

Guitarist: Michael Occhipinti

Big Band: NOJO

Label: Justin Time Records

Vocalist: Carol Welsman

Record of the Year: The Look of Love, Diana Krall

Musician of the Year: Diana Krall (pictured left)

International Musician: Diana Krall

Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Sheridan (Ken Page Memorial Trust)

Originally Published