(December 2, 2021) The first annual JAM Musician Awards, presented by the KC Jazz Ambassadors, will be announced on Tuesday, December 14 at Johnnie’s Jazz Club, 14th and Main in Downtown Kansas City. Following a 7pm opening set by the UMKC Conservatory Jazz Ensemble, awards in fourteen different categories will be distributed to Kansas City’s favorite jazz artists, clubs and venues.
“We received 670 ballots for everyone’s favorite Kansas City jazz musicians,” explained JAM Magazine editor David Basse. “It should be a great night, recognizing KC’s favorite jazz guitarist, vocalist, sax and trumpet players, pianists—everybody, plus categories for favorite jazz clubs, concert venues and radio shows.”
KC Jazz fans were invited in March to pick their favorite musicians in a variety of categories. The top four favorites were placed on a ballot distributed to Jazz Ambassadors, local musicians and jazz fans around the metro area and region.
“After what we’ve all been through—especially jazz musicians, who didn’t work for more than a year—it’s great to send some love out to our favorites,” commented Jazz Ambassadors president Mark Edelman. “When we got back nearly seven hundred ballots, we knew lots of other people felt the same.”
Nominees for the JAM Musician Awards include KC favorites Bobby Watson, Angela Hagenbach, Lonnie McFadden, Joe Cartwright, Danny Embrey and Mike Warren. In addition, awards will be given to
favorite jazz clubs, concert venues, big bands and radio hosts.
“As they say, it’s an honor just to be nominated by so many jazz fans,” noted KCJA board member Linda McShann. “We’re hoping this becomes an annual event to celebrate the important contribution our musicians make and how much they’re appreciated by the jazz community.”
There is no cover charge at the JAM Musician Awards this year; and Johnnie’s has a full bar and restaurant. Music will continue after the awards are presented; expect some of the JAM Award winners to sit in with the UMKC Jazz Ensemble.
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