Bobby Watson, Lonnie McFadden, Charles Williams, and vocalist Eboni Fondren were among those voted KC “Favorites” in the first annual JAM Musician Awards, presented by the KC Jazz Ambassadors on Tuesday, December 14 at Johnnie’s Jazz Club. The UMKC Conservatory Jazz Ensemble entertained jazz fans attending the awards ceremony before and after the winners were announced.
Award winners by category included the following:
Favorite Jazz Vocalist: Eboni Fondren
Favorite Jazz Trumpet Player: Lonnie McFadden
Favorite Jazz Sax Player: Bobby Watson
Favorite Jazz Bass Player: James Albright
Favorite Jazz Pianist: Charles Williams
Favorite Jazz Trombone Player: Marcus Lewis
Favorite Jazz Guitarist: Rod Fleeman
Favorite Jazz Organist: Everette DeVan
Favorite Jazz Drummer: Mike Warren
In addition, McFadden took home “Favorite Jazz Entertainer” honors and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra was voted Favorite Big Band. The Gem Theatre and Green Lady/Black Dolphin were voted favorite jazz venue and club respectively. KANU on-air personality Bob McWilliams was named favorite
Jazz radio host.
“We thank the nearly 700 KC area jazz fans who took the time to vote for their favorite musicians in all of these categories,” noted KC Jazz Ambassador Linda McShann “We didn’t know what
to expect this first time out and were pleasantly surprised at the turnout.”
Nominations for the 2022 JAM Musician Awards will begin May 1 with final ballots to
be published November 1. For more information, visit the KC Jazz Ambassadors website at
Comments