ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Awards were presented in 14 categories at the fifth JazzWeek Awards, held June 21 at the JazzWeek Summit at the Clarion Riverside Hotel in Rochester, N.Y. The JazzWeek Summit is a gathering of radio programmers, record labels and promoters, musicians, and others interested in jazz radio promotion and programming.

Radio stations and radio programmers were recognized in three market-size categories. Radio station of the year in markets 1-25 was WBGO, Newark, N.J. In markets 26-79, radio station of the year was WWOZ, New Orleans. In markets 80+, WAER in Syracuse, N.Y. was the station of the year.

Eric Jackson of WGBH, Boston, was named radio programmer of the year in markets 1-25. Brad Stone of KSJS, San Jose, was the winner for markets 26-79. WNCU’s music director and assistant program director B. H. Hudson was nominated in this category. While Bob Stewart, KCCK, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was named for markets 80+.
In industry categories, Terry Coen of Palmetto Records was record company promotion representative of the year. Dr. Jazz Operations of Detroit, Mich., was chosen as independent promotion company of the year.

HighNote received the label of the year award and was also presented with the award for most Top 10 releases on the JazzWeek chart between May 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008.

Record of the year honors went to the posthumous release /Pilgrimage/ by Michael Brecker on Heads Up. Instrumentalist of the year was pianist Herbie Hancock, while Dianne Reeves was chosen as vocalist of the year.

Brad Stone was named Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award winner, joining previous recipients Tom Mallison, Dick LaPalm, Joe Fields and Linda Yohn. The award is named for the legendary record promoter who was a mentor and friend to many in the industry and who was instrumental in the launching of many musicians’ careers. The award recognizes contributions to jazz and jazz radio.

All awards, except the Duke Dubois Award, which is chosen by previous winners, were voted on by the readers of JazzWeek and participants in JazzWeek’s Jazz Programmers’ Mailing List.

The Summit coincided with the final three days of the Rochester International Jazz Festival, named one of the top four festivals in the U.S. by the New York /Times/. More than 125,000 people attended the RIJF this year, setting a record for that festival’s attendance.

Vibraphonist Joe Locke and his group Force of Four, who have a forthcoming release on Origin Records, and violinist Christian Howes, who will have a release soon on Resonance Records, performed at showcases during the Summit.

Attendees at the Summit came from coast-to-coast in the U.S., from Canada, and from as far as Italy.

The JazzWeek Summit is held annually by JazzWeek (http://www.jazzweek.com), which publishes the national airplay chart for jazz radio, based on measured airplay data provided by Mediaguide.

The next JazzWeek Summit is planned for June, 2009. The location, dates, and agenda will be announced in August, 2008, with registration opening in September.