Country Australia Official website bellawards.org | First awarded 2003–present | |
Awarded for To recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally Presented by Melbourne International Jazz Festival
The Australian Jazz Awards Limited | ||
Australian Jazz Bell Awards, also known just as the Bell Awards or The Bells, are annual music awards for the jazz music genre in Australia. The awards were named in honour of Australian jazz pianist, composer and band leader, Graeme Bell, at their inception in 2003 at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Contents
- 2003 Bell Awards
- 2004 Bell Awards
- 2006 Bell Awards
- 2007 Bell Awards
- 2008 Bell Awards
- 2009 Bell Awards
- 2010 Bell Awards
- 2011 Bell Awards
- 2012 Bell Awards
- 2013 Bell Awards
- References
The awards were launched by State Minister for the Arts, Mary Delahunty, and Graeme Bell on 5 June 2003 to recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally. The awards were the inspiration of Festival Chairman, Albert Dadon and Artistic Director, Adrian Jackson. Adrian Jackson said at the time, "The Bells will put the spotlight on the Australian jazz industry that it has never enjoyed before. These new industry gongs will recognise the achievement of excellence by many artists, record companies and venues, and will encourage others to match those achievements."
In 2008, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, was established to present the awards which became separate from the Melbourne Jazz Festival committee.
2003 Bell Awards
The inaugural Australian Jazz Awards, or Bell Awards, were presented at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel on 28 August 2003, honouring artists in nine categories.
2004 Bell Awards
On 10 August 2004 a new artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, Carlo Pagnotta, formerly director of Italy's famed Umbria Jazz Festival, announced the 27 nominees of the Bell Awards. The winners were awarded in nine categories on 25 August in Melbourne.
2006 Bell Awards
In 2006 Albert Dadon took over the role of artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, following differences with Pagnotta over the festival's direction. Dadon is chairman of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards.
2007 Bell Awards
In 2007 Albert Dadon continued as artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival and as chairman of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards.
2008 Bell Awards
On 29 April 2008, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard attending. The awards were separated from the Melbourne Jazz Festival in 2008 and a new company was formed, The Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board.
2009 Bell Awards
On 23 April 2009, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard attending.
2010 Bell Awards
On 15 April, 2010, the 8th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented.
2011 Bell Awards
On 5 May, 2011, the 9th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented.
2012 Bell Awards
On 3 May, 2012, the 10th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented.
2013 Bell Awards
On 2 May, 2013, the 11th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented by Jazz Artist and Chairman Albert Dadon AM and with Tracey Curro as MC at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.