The Australian Jazz Bell Awards, named after Australian jazz legend Graham Bell, were held last night (April 15, 2010) in Melbourne and the man they were named after was there.
96-year old Bell came along for the show and got up on stage for a speech. He told the audience that “The first gig I did I got paid 8 shillings and sixpence,” when joking about how the income for Jazz musicians hasn’t changed much in 80 years.Bell also said that of his original band he is the last one left. “Have they gone to God?,” host Tracey Bartram asked. “I wouldn’t say that,” was his sly reply.
Bell plans on staying around for a few more years yet. “My mother lived to 95 and my Grandmother lived to 102,” he said.
Jazz icon Bob Barnard was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame.
The winners for the night were:
Jazz Ensemble of the Year - Jonathan Zwartz - The Sea
Jazz Song of the Year - Jonathan Zwartz - Epic
Young Australia Jazz Artist of the Year - Linda Oh
Classic Jazz Album - Sam Anning, Allan Browne & Marc Hannaford - Homage
Contemporary Jazz Album - Stu Hunter - The Gathering
Jazz Vocal Album - Kristin Berardi - If You Were There
