A huge congratulations to Wellington's own Charmaine Ford ("Busy Silence") who took out last night's top award for the best Jazz album of 2007 against two time winner, Kevin Clark (with "Zihara") and the sultry indegenous Jazz of Whiramako Black (with "Soul Sessions").
The award was presented at the Opening night of No.11 Wellington International Jazz Festival (6-14 November) and also featured the Edward Ware Quartet (Edware on drums, Anita Scwabe on piano, Nick van Dijk on Trombone/Euphonium and Paul Dyne on Bass.
A great turn out for opening nite. the place was pack to the gunnels. "Happy" is the old Cricketers Arms Bar in Tory St and a great "Seedy" underground location for late night Jazz. Big Ups to the Organisers, esp Megan.
Ford's album Busy Silence BUSY SILENCE was release in December Dec 2006 featuring
Charmaine Ford (piano/composer)
Tom Callwood (bass) & Reuben Bradley (drums)with special guest Johnny Lippiett - tenor sax
It recieved 4-stars (NZ Herald, Feb '07)
“One of New Zealand's True Piano Masters”
WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
“Charmaine Ford has sealed her reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading Jazz Pianists”
CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
"Charmaine Ford has established herself as one of New Zealand’s most innovative and fearless voices in jazz"
TAURANGA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
"Charmaine Ford has a maturity of jazz expression that belies such youth. This is her debut album and it’s a classic"
NZ MUSICIAN MAGAZINE, NZ
"A rising star of New Zealand Jazz Piano"
DOMINION POST, NZ
Capital city-based pianist Charmaine Ford’s ‘Busy Silence’ has tonight been named the New Zealand Music Awards Best Jazz Album of the Year at the Wellington International Jazz Festival.
Ford is a former finalist in the category at the 2004 awards for her debut album ‘Blues for Guppy’. She also played piano on the 2006 Tui winning jazz album, Vaughan Roberts’ ‘Grrrreat Stuff’.
And her connection with the music awards doesn’t stop there - in 2005 Ford had 12 months individual tuition from 2007 Classical Music Tui winner John Psathas.
Today only 27 years of age, Charmaine Ford was born in Tauranga and started her piano training at age six. After moving to Auckland two years later she became heavily involved in jazz ensembles at Rangitoto College both as a player and a leader.
She has won numerous national Jazz awards since she started gigging professionally at age 16. In 1999 Charmaine studied in London on a Royal Schools of Music scholarship. Charmaine has performed and toured throughout New Zealand and Australia and has been selected as pianist for the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra on four occasions.
‘Busy Silence’ was released in December 2006. The self-penned album has been described as highlighting Ford’s distinctive style as a composer, arranger and producer as well as capturing her skills as an improviser.
New Zealand Music Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith describes Ford’s win as “thoroughly deserved recognition of a dedicated and talented jazz musician”.
“For someone still so young, Charmaine’s achievements in the genre are already almost legendary. She is a most worthy recipient of the Jazz Tui for 2007.”
Charmaine’s win will be acknowledged at the New Zealand Music Awards 2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment