Direct from Nick the Brownman Ali
So I just got back from the National Jazz Awards gala awards ceremony...
I was honoured to have been nominated in five categories this year - but even more honoured to have been handed a very shiny 2007 National Jazz Award for "Electric Jazz Group of the Year" for the Brownman Electryc Trio.
Which means I now gotta hacksaw this thing into little pieces so I can share this award with the other members of the trio past and present, which include the always blazingly tasteful COLIN KINGSMORE on drums and the baby-faced brilliance of TYLER EMOND on bass, who are the current killers in B.E.T. (and who appear on the upcoming CD!!) and whom I love like brothas (well not BROTHAS... but brothers... yano)...
I also *really* need to mention all the other gifted badboys who have hung out in that group over time - drummers Daniel Barnes (D-man), Paul DeLong (P-diddy), Larnell Lewis (Two-Oh!), Aubrey Dayle (Aub-miester) & Kieran Adams (K-star)... and bassists Marc Rogers (mah brotha from anotha motha), Pat Kilbride (mah drinkin' brotha), Paco Luviano (mah latin brotha), Ross "Maca" MacIntyre (mah baby brotha) & Dane Wedderburn (mah island brotha)... Monsters, all of them... put any of their names into Google and watch the fireworks. I'm always honoured beyond words to share the stage with them.
But I wouldn't now be windexing this fine piece of crystal for my bookshelf without YOU - that's right - you who took the time to vote for mah brown azz.
So lemme just say a personal huge THANK YOU to all those on the Big Ass Mailing List that voted and for your support and faith in my artistry over the years. As a jazz non-traditionalist existing in an often conservative artistic climate, it's not always easy... yet this hunk of shinyness is a reminder that YOU guys took the time to say "yeah, I like his work and I'ma vote brown this year". Truly means a lot gang, and I'm humbled by that thought. And if you didn't vote for me, but *did* vote - wicked. Means you voted, and that's the more important point.
For me, the highlight of the evening at tonight's awards ceremony was standing next to the legendary Guido Basso, my teacher when I was 13 - and who won for "Trumpet Player of the Year" - and finding out that he turns 70 next year (he whispered it to me)... and then hearing him walk out on stage and bang out line after line of melodic, lyrical improvised genius with a tone that would make you weep with joy. Unbelievable.
Later, when I accepted my own award I said "I came here tonight to see Guido Basso play" and I wasn't kidding... I almost didn't go cuz I just got back from Philly that afternoon and was bagged (no, the NJAs very evilly don't tell you when you've won something)... but remembered Guido was gonna be playing... and went. :) Anyway - Guido Basso... 70 years old and still just killin' it as an improvising trumpet player... with style and grace. My hero.
The other highlight of the evening for me was Hugh Fraser - multi-juno winning trombonist / musical director for the night (and another important mentor in my life) - confiding in me at the VERY end as we were putting on our jackets that he himself lifted Miles Davis' "In A Silent Way" specially for the band to play when I walked out for the award. Needless to say, they had to peel me off him still sobbing like a baby.
Editor's Notes
Live music salsa dancers will remember Nick the Brownman and his band Cruzao playing with Canada Salsa Congress performer and musician Massicote at Mambo Tribe's December 2006 Christmas Party. Juno winner Hilario Duran was a long time regular at Lula Lounge and at the Beaches Jazz Festival.
Brownman is playing with Ruben Esguerra & Chiva at the Trane Studio on Thurs 12 April ... come check it!
Check his Gig schedule on www.brownman.com for local and global dates.
Latin Jazz Winners
Hilario Durán - Best Latin jazz Artist, Best Big Band.
Brownman Electryc Trio - Best Electric Band.