Dave Koz was the big winner at the National Smooth Jazz Awards on March 5, snagging four awards including top honors as Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year. He also won for male artist, CD (The Dance), and best sax player of the year. Rick Braun was the night’s second-biggest winner, taking home three awards including best brass player – plus two for his collaboration with Boney James. Guitarist Peter White, keyboardist David Benoit, percussionist Harvey Mason, and vocalist Al Jarreau won for their respective instruments. Russ Freeman was named best producer
and Keiko Matsui won Female Artist of the Year. WMUA Chicago, Humphrey’s by the Bay, and the Montreux Jazz Festival won for best radio station, venue, and festival, respectively. Lifetime achievement awards were presented to saxophonist David Sanborn, keyboardist Joe Sample, and writer Carol Archer.
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