Australian Jazz Bell Awards
| Australian Jazz Bell Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | To recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally |
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by |
Melbourne International Jazz Festival The Australian Jazz Awards Limited |
| First awarded | 2003–present |
| Official website | bellawards |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2007 Albert Dadon continued as artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival and as chairman of the Australian Jazz 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.
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