Warren Hill led the list of winners at Canada’s annual Smooth Jazz celebration Friday night at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, ON. The popular saxophonist, Hill took home three trophies for ‘Wind Instrumentalist of the Year,’ ‘Best Original Composition’ for ‘La Dolce Vita’ (co-written by Nathan East and Sam
Purkin) and the CD of the same name picked up ‘Album of the Year.’
As in previous years, awards were split between Canadian and International categories. Winners in the latter category included multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson who picked up ‘International Instrumentalist of the Year’ and Seal won ‘International Vocalist.’ Super-group Fourplay won in the
‘Group’ Category.
Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook picked up ‘Guitarist of the Year.’ He also won in the same category in 2006 and 2008.
Toronto’s Daniela Nardi won her first Canadian Smooth Jazz Award last night. She took home ‘Female Vocalist of the Year.’
International sensation Robin Thicke whose R&B flavored music has sold millions was awarded ‘Male Vocalist of the Year.’
Other winners include Steve Heathcote as the first winner of the new category ‘Drummer/Percussionist of the year’ and Fred Engler won in the ‘Keyboardist/Pianist’ category.Stu Berketo of Wave 94.7 FM in Toronto/Hamilton was awarded ‘Broadcaster of
the Year.”
The night was filled with amazing performances including that of ‘Lifetime Achievement” winner Earl Klugh. The legendary guitarist followed in the footsteps of previous winners, George Benson, Bob James, Spyro Gyra and Lee Ritenour.
Performers included Nick Colionne, Brian Culbertson, DeNate with Darren Rahn, Kellylee Evans, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, Warren Hill, Michael Lington, Ray Parker Jr., Chris Smith with Phil Poppa, and Alexander Zonjic.
The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards was started in 2005 by co-chairs, Mary Kirk of Wave 94.7FM Toronto/Hamilton, Ont. and John Beaudin, owner Smooth Jazz Now.com.
2009 CSJA Winners
International Instrumentalist of the Year
Brian Culbertson
International Vocalist of the Year
Seal
International Group of the Year
Fourplay
Female Vocalist of the Year
Daniela Nardi
Male Vocalist of the Year
Robin Thicke
Guitarist/Bass Guitarist of the Year
Jesse Cook
Wind Instrumentalist of the Year
Warren Hill
Keyboardist/Pianist of the Year
Fred Engler
Drummer/Percussionist of the Year
Steve Heathcote
Album of the Year
La Dolce Vita Warren Hill E1 Music (Koch)
Best Original Composition
“La Dolce Vita” Warren Hill, Nathan East,
Sam Purkin
Broadcaster of the Year
Stu Berketo Wave 94.7FM
Toronto/Hamilton
