Sandbar Sessions collects jazz award

News release

June 4, 2005

Sandbar Sessions collects jazz award

Wellington's Kevin Clark Trio is the winner of the 2005 New Zealand Music Awards Best Jazz Album for the 'live with guests album' The Sandbar Sessions.

It is the second Tui for Clark, whose band also won Best Jazz Album at the Music Awards in 2003 for Once Upon a Song I Flew.

The other two finalists were the Dan Papirany Trio for its debut album Session One and the Julie Mason Quintet for its third album Estate (Summer). Both groups are from Auckland.

The Tui has been presented tonight (Sat. June 4) at the Manawatu International Jazz and Blues Festival in Palmerston North by Terence O'Neill-Joyce, former CEO of the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.

The Tui was accepted by the Kevin Clark Trio bassist Rowan Clark (no relation).

Plimmerton-based Kevin Clark is originally from South Africa and has a background steeped in world music.

He holds an honours degree in music and has been performing in and around Wellington for the past 35 years. He has a long track record as musical director and sideman on radio broadcasts and television shows.

The Kevin Clark Trio with guest artists has been resident at the Sandbar in Paremata for three years. The group comprises Kevin Clark (piano), Rowan Clark (bass) and Richard Wise (drums).

The Sandbar Sessions features guest performances by and Colin Hemmingsen (soprano sax), Michael Taylor (trumpet), Wade Sharp (guitar), Lance Philip (percussion), Alex Nyman (sax) and Hannah Griffin (vocals).

The music includes originals written by Kevin Clark together with interpretations of Jazz standards and some Latin tunes. The album was produced by Dick Le Fort, released by Kevin Clark and distributed by Rhythmethod.

It is the first year the Tui for Best Jazz Album has been presented outside the main Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Adam Holt, spokesperson for the music awards says: "We're thrilled to have been able to present the Tui to the Kevin Clark Trio for the Best Jazz Album as part of the Manawatu International Jazz and Blues Festival. This is the second longest running jazz and blues festival in New Zealand and attracts hundreds of Jazz enthusiasts."

The Tui has been presented during tonight's concert at Palmerston North's Regent Theatre. It is part of The Blue Chip New Zealand International Jazz Series Concert featuring noted US musicians and the Rodger Fox "Allstar" Big Band.

The Manawatu International Jazz and Blues Festival is now in its 38th year.

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Issued for the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand by Pead PR

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