In 2006, New Orleans musicians and the music scene experienced a remarkable year going from returning and rebuilding to rebirth, recording and new resolve. The 19th annual Big Easy Music Awards recognize a year of achievement in music and honor many of the invaluable contributors involved in efforts to bring musicians and their sounds home. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, April 24.

As always, the Big Easy Awards will honor some of New Orleans' most legendary contributors to the local music scene. Allen Toussaint will receive the entertainer of the year award. In spite of losing his home, Toussaint was a frequent face in many of the nationally broadcast benefits calling attention to New Orleans' plight following the failure of the levees. He also enjoyed a prolific year in conjunction with Elvis Costello in creating the album River in Reverse, which is nominated for a best album Big Easy Award, and touring in support of it, including a Jazz Fest appearance. The 2007 lifetime achievement award will go to Ellis Marsalis, paying tribute to his long career as a musician and jazz educator. Vocalist Germaine Bazzle will serve as this year's honorary music chairman. As advocates, spokespeople and fundraisers, Wynton Marsalis, Lillian BouttŽ, Dr. John, Lars Edegran, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis will be named Big Easy Music Ambassadors.

The awards will include special recognition of many of the organizations and efforts that helped support New Orleans musicians in a multitude of ways, from organizing benefits for the city to sponsoring performances to developing long-term housing solutions like the Musicians' Village. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival producer and director Quint Davis and veteran Grammy Award show producer Ken Ehrlich will be honored for putting together the From the Big Apple to the Big Easy concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Proceeds from the concert and DVD sales benefited the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, Habitat for Humanity, MusiCares and the Children's Health Fund.

For their efforts in making the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival such a success, Quint Davis' Festival Productions and major producing partners and sponsors AEG Live and Shell Oil will be honored.

Special recognition will be given to many of the organizations that have supported relief efforts for musicians. Those groups include the American Federation of Musicians, Arabi Wrecking Krewe, Habitat for Humanity, Jazz Foundation of America, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans, New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, Tipitina's Foundation and WWOZ 90.7 FM.

The Big Easy Music awards gala featuring live performances by some of the nominees will be held on Tuesday, April 24. The awards are sponsored by Gambit Weekly, Harrah's New Orleans Casino & Hotel, John Jay, Pernod Ricard, Abita Beer, Coleman Adler & Sons and WWOZ 90.7 FM. Individual tickets are $125, tables of 10 are $1,000 ($1,250 after March 31) and VIP tables are $1,500. The evening includes a buffet dinner and open bar. Contact Gloria Powers at 483-3130 or bigeasy@gambitweekly.com for more information.

2007 Big Easy Music Awards Honorary Music Chairman
Germaine Bazzle

Entertainer of the Year
Allen Toussaint

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ellis Marsalis

Guardian of the Groove Award
Billy Delle

Big Easy Music Ambassadors
Wynton Marsalis, Lillian Boutté, Dr. John, Lars Edegran, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis

Business Recognition Award
Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Music Heritage Award
Quint Davis/Festival Productions

Frank Glaviano/Shell Oil

Ken Ehrlich

Tom Miserendino/AEG Live

Special Recognition

American Federation of Musicians

Arabi Wrecking Krewe

Habitat for Humanity

Jazz Foundation of America

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation

New Orleans Musicians' Clinic

New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund

New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund

Tipitina's Foundation

WWOZ 90.7 FM

2007 Big Easy Music Awards Nominations

Traditional Jazz

Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court Jazz Band

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders Michael White

Contemporary Jazz

Astral Project

Donald Harrison

Kidd Jordan

Delfeayo Marsalis

Traditional Brass Band

Treme Brass Band

Pinstripe Brass Band

Storyville Stompers

Contemporary Brass Band

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Hot 8 Brass BandRebirth Brass BandSoul Rebels

Gospel Choir

Greater St. Stephens Choir

McDonogh 35 Choir

Shades of Praise

Gospel Group/Individual

Jo "Cool" Davis

George Huff

Cynthia Liggins Thomas

Zion Harmonizers

Funk

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk

Papa Grows Funk

The Trio (George Porter Jr., Johnny Vidacovich & special guests)

Rhythm and Blues

Dr. John

Irma Thomas and The Professionals

Walter "Wolfman" Washington & The Roadmasters

Marva Wright & The BMWs

Rap/Hip Hop

Baby Boy

Lil' Wayne

Lil' Bootsie

Blues

Tab Benoit

Snooks Eaglin

Eric Lindell

Washboard Chaz Blues Trio

Rock

The Benjy Davis Project

The New Orleans Bingo! Show

Bonerama

Morning 40 Federation

Roots Rock

Susan Cowsill

Lynn Drury

Shannon McNally

Zydeco

Geno Delafose

Rosie Ledet

Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas

Cajun

Bruce DaigrepontLost Bayou RamblersPine Leaf Boys

Ann Savoy

Country/Folk

Spencer Bohren

Grayson Capps

Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue

Christian Serpas & Ghost Town

Latin

Julio & Caesar

Fredy Omar con su Banda Vivaz

World Music/Reggae

Bamboula

Gov't Majik

Panorama Jazz Band

Mixed Bag

Monk Boudreaux

Imagination Movers

Zydepunks

DJ/Electronica

The Buttons

MC Trachiotomy

Quintron

Male Performer

Troy Andrews

John Boutté

Clint Maedgan

Allen Toussaint

Female Performer

Theresa Andersson

Susan Cowsill

Shannon McNally

Irma Thomas

Emerging Group or Artist

Mike Dillon

Free Agents

The Junior League

Vavavoom

Best Album

Allen Toussaint & Elvis Costello
The River In Reverse
Verve Forecast
Producer Joe Henry
Recorded at Sunset Sound Los Angeles, Piety Street Recording New Orleans

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
What's Goin On?
Shout Factory
Producer Anthony Marinelli and Shawn Amos
Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas

Irma Thomas
After The RainRounder
Producer Scott Billington
Recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, La., Storyville Studio New Orleans

Photo by Rick Olivier

Irma Thomas is nominated for best female performer, best rhythm and blues artist and best album.

WWOZ DJ Billy Delle will be honored as the first Guardian of the Groove.

Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk are nominated for best funk band.

The Rebirth Brass Band is nominated for best contemporary brass band.

Photo by Je

Tab Benoit is nominated for best blues artist.

 

Photo by Rick Olivier

Ann Savoy is nominated for best Cajun artist.

Baby Boy is nominated for best rap/hip hop artist.

Zydepunks are nominated for best band in the mixed-bag category.

Photo by Dino Perrucci

Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is nominated for best male performer.

Jazz & Heritage Festival director Quint Davis is being honored for his leadership in making Jazz Fest 2006 happen as well as a major benefit concert in New York.

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint are nominated for their album River in Reverse.

 

John Boutté is nominated for best male performer.

 

Dr. John is nominated for best rhythm and blues artist.

 

VaVaVoom is nominated for best emerging group.

Photo by Catherine Carter

Susan Cowsill is nominated for best female performer.

 

 

Photo by Robert Sturnam

Craig Klein of Bonerama is one of the musicians and organizers behind the Arabi Wrecking Krewe's rebuilding efforts.