The 20th annual Big Easy Music Awards, held Monday, April 21, at Harrah's Casino theater, recognized achievement in music by Louisiana artists, and the message from many honorees was that there's no place like home. "I went to New York to try to find myself," said Donald Harrison Jr., who was named 2008 Ambassador of Music. "I played with a lot of cats. But I really found myself when I came home." He went on to describe what it was like growing up in a musical New Orleans family. "There was Indian practice at my house. When I was young, I played drums on my crib. When that beat hits you, your feet got to move and heart's got to groove." Harrison and an all-star lineup of Big Sam Williams, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Stanton Moore, John Cleary, Matt Perrine and Shamarr Allen later played the Mardi Gras Indian anthem "Two Pocky Way."
Inspiring both in accepting awards and leading his band, Terence Blanchard was honored as Entertainer of the Year (See "Entrenched Memories," p. 19), won Best Contemporary Jazz Artist, played a piece from his Grammy-winning album A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina) and spoke about what went into creating the work. The compositions for large jazz ensemble developed out of pieces he created for the score of Spike Lee's documentary When the Levees Broke. In one segment, the film follows Blanchard and his mother as they return to her flooded home for the first time after the levee failures. Blanchard hopes the wrenching scene helps keep New Orleans on many people's minds.
"The thing I tell people is that if you cry for my mom, multiply that by 200,000," Blanchard said. He recounted his efforts to come to terms with the wreckage of his mother's home. "I kept thinking, 'There has to be something better that will come out of this.' It gives me solace that something better will come out of this. It's a testament to the citizens of New Orleans for having the strength to rebuild our city."
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Entertainer of the Year Terence Blanchard and radio host Garland Robinette.
The legacy of the city's music scene was on display throughout the evening. R&B pianist Eddie Bo received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Al "Carnival Time" Johnson was recognized with a Music Heritage Award. WWOZ Guardians of the Groove awards were given to Clinton Scott, one of the station's original DJs, and Patti and David Averbuck. The Goin' Home tribute to Fats Domino released by the Tiptina's Foundation and Vanguard Records was named Best Album of 2007.
Winners in other categories included Little Freddie King for Best Blues, Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher for Best Traditional Jazz, Galactic for Best Funk Band and trumpet player Shamarr Allen for Best Emerging Artist. The Best Male Performer was Troy Andrews, and Irma Thomas won Best Female Performer.
Besides Harrison and Blanchard's performances, the evening opened with music by Best World Music winner Michael Skinkus and Moyuba, OTRA and Casa Samba. Best Country Music nominee The Figs, the New Orleans Bingo! Show and Best Zydeco Band Terrance Simien and Zydeco Experience performed, and rapper Cupid finished the evening by leading the audience in his namesake Cupid Shuffle.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Terence Blanchard performed work from A Tale of God's Will
The awards are sponsored by Gambit Weekly, Harrah's New Orleans Casino & Hotel, Abita Beer, WWOZ 90.7 FM, the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism and Coleman E. Adler & Sons. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for Entertainment Development and Education.
2008 Big Easy Music Awards
Honorary Music Chairman
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
BMI's Shelby Kennedy with Best Rock Band Rotary Downs and Vanessa Niemann (aka Gal Holiday)
Don Marshall
Entertainer of the Year
Terence Blanchard
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Honorary Chairman Don Marshall with Music Heritage Award honoree Al "Carnival Time" Johnson
Lifetime Achievement in Music
Eddie Bo
Ambassador of Music
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Best Zydeco winner Terrance Simien performing with his band Zydeco Experience.
Donald Harrison Jr.
Music Heritage Award
Al "Carnival Time" Johnson
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
The Recording Academy's Jon Hornyak (left) with Best Country Band winner Country Fried and Cynthia Simien (front right)
Business Recognition Award
Downtown Development District and Young Leadership Council
WWOZ Guardian of the Groove Award
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
WWOZ's Dwayne Brashears with Guradian of the Groove honorees Dave and Patti Averbuck, Clinton Scott and WWOZ Executive Director David Freedman
Clinton Scott, Patti Averbuck and David Averbuck
2008 Big Easy Music Award Winners
Gospel Choir
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Best Country Band nominee The Figs
Greater St. Stephen's Choir
Gospel Group/Individual
Bishop Lester Love
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
The New Orleans Bingo! Show performs at the Big Easy Awards.
Blues
Little Freddie King
Rhythm and Blues
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Shamarr Allen, Matt Perrine, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Big Sam Williams, Jon Cleary and Ambassador of Music honoree Donald Harrison Jr. played "Two Pocky Way" at the Big Easy Awards.
Jon Cleary
Rap/Hip-Hop
Lil Wayne
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Roots Rock winner Happy Talk Band with Tipitina's Mary Von Kurnatowski
Traditional Jazz
Tom McDermott & Evan Christopher
Contemporary Jazz
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Business Recognition Award winners Sabrina Smith and Kurt Weigle of the Downtown Development District, Gambit Weekly Publisher Margo DuBos, Editor Clancy DuBos and Amy Boyle of the Young Leadership Council
Terence Blanchard
Traditional Brass Band
Treme Brass Band
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, Lifetime Achievement honoree Eddie Bo and 2007 Entertainer of the Year Allen Toussaint
Contemporary Brass Band
Soul Rebels
Roots Rock
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Brazilian percussion and dance group Casa Samba kicked off the evening.
Happy Talk Band
Rock
Rotary Downs
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Best Female Performer Irma Thomas and Best Male Performer Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews
Funk
Galactic
Zydeco
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Rapper Cupid concluded the evening's performances by leading the audience in the Cupid Shuffle.
Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience
Cajun
Pine Leaf Boys
Photo by Eugenia Uhl
Actor, comedian and Big Easy Master of Ceremonies Harry Shearer and Gambit Weekly Publisher Margo DuBos
