Krall, Duran, Nimmons top national jazz awards

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Krall, Duran, Nimmons top national jazz awards

Canadian Press Published Wednesday, April 11, 2007 7:52AM EDT

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TORONTO - Jazz legend Phil Nimmons, singer Diana Krall, and instrumentalist Don Thomson were among the artists to come out on top at the National Jazz Awards on Tuesday.

Krall was named international musician of the year for the second year in a row and also took the title of female vocalist of the year at a gala event hosted by singers David Clayton-Thomas and Dione Taylor.

Meanwhile, the 84-year-old Nimmons, known as "the dean of Canadian jazz" for his illustrious career, took awards for arranger of the year and clarinetist of the year.

Bass player and pianist Don Thomson took the title of musician of the year and instrumentalist of the year for the second year in a row.

The best female vocalist category is a new one this year, the result of splitting the previous category of vocalist of the year, won by Krall in 2006, into male and female contests.

Michael Buble took the inaugural top male vocalist honours.

Hilario Duran, a Cuban-born Toronto-based artist, took the award for Latin jazz artist of the year for the second year in a row and the title of big band of the year with his group, Hilario Duran Latin Jazz Band.

The band's disc, "From the Heart," won a Juno last month for contemporary jazz album of the year.

Oliver Jones' "One More Time," was named jazz album of the year.

Now in their sixth year, the National Jazz Awards recognize jazz excellence in Canada in 27 categories. The annual event was created by pianist, composer and publisher Bill King.

Nominations are based on votes by music journalists, jazz festival producers, broadcasters and record industry people. Winners are chosen by the public through a national online voting system.

The winners of the 2007 National Jazz Awards: