School of Jazz and Contemporary Music Faculty and Alumni Are Recognized by Jazz Journalists Association
Bobby Sanabria’s 2018 album, West Side Story Reimagined, was a critical hit, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The album also raised crucial funds for musicians hit hardest by the storms in Puerto Rico, Sanabria’s homeland.
Now, the album has been named Record of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. In addition to Sanabria, a number of School of Jazz and Contemporary Music faculty members and alumni were nominated and ultimately won awards from the prestigious group of journalists.
Linda May Han Oh won “Up and Coming Musician of the Year” and “Bassist of the Year,” Jane Ira Bloom won “Soprano Saxophonist of the Year,” and Anat Cohen won “Clarinetist of the Year.”
Faculty member Mary Halvorson was nominated for “Jazz Musician of the Year” as well as “Guitarist of the Year.” Darcy James Argue’s Secrety Society was nominated for “Large Ensemble of the Year.” Ingrid Jensen won for “Trumpeter of the Year” while Dave Douglas was nominated in the same category. Andrew Cyrille was nominated for “Traps Drummer of the Year” and Grégoire Maret was nominated for “Player of the Year of Instruments Rare in Jazz” for his work on the harmonica.
Cecile McLorin Salvant, who attended Jazz, was nominated for “Jazz Musician of the Year” in addition to “Record of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year.” José James, who also attended Jazz, was nominated for “Male Vocalist of the Year” while Jazzmeia Horn, Jazz ‘14, was nominated for “Female Vocalist of the Year.”