Australian Jazz Bell Awards, also known as the Bell Awards or The Bells, are annual music awards for the jazz music genre in Australia. They were named in honour of Australian jazz pianist, composer and band leader, Graeme Bell, at their inception in 2003 at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The awards were announced by Bell and Victoria's Minister for the Arts, Mary Delahunty, on 5 June 2003 to recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally. They were the inspiration of festival chairman, Albert Dadon, and its artistic director, Adrian Jackson. The latter explained, "The Bells will put the spotlight on the Australian jazz industry that it has never enjoyed before. These new industry gongs will recognise the achievement of excellence by many artists, record companies and venues, and will encourage others to match those achievements." The awards were not presented in 2005. In 2008, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, was established to present the awards, which became separate from the Melbourne Jazz Festival committee. The number and title of categories have varied with nine to six artists being honoured.
Awards
2003 Bell Awards
The inaugural Australian Jazz Awards, or Bell Awards, were presented at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel on 28 August 2003, honouring artists in nine categories.
2004 Bell Awards
On 10 August 2004 a new artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, Carlo Pagnotta, formerly director of Italy's famed Umbria Jazz Festival, announced the 27 nominees of the Bell Awards, honouring artists in nine categories. The winners were awarded in nine categories on 25 August in Melbourne.
2006 Bell Awards
In 2006 Albert Dadon took over the role of artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival, following differences with Pagnotta over the festival's direction. Dadon is chairman of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, honouring artists in nine categories.
2007 Bell Awards
In 2007 Albert Dadon continued as artistic director of the Melbourne International Jazz festival and as chairman of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, honouring artists in seven categories.
2008 Bell Awards
On 29 April 2008 the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard attending. The awards were separated from the Melbourne Jazz Festival in 2008 and a new company was formed, The Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, to run the ceremony. They honoured artists in eight categories.
2009 Bell Awards
On 23 April 2009 the Australian Jazz Awards Limited presented the Australian Jazz Bell Awards, with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard attending. They honoured artists in seven categories.
2010 Bell Awards
On 15 April 2010the 7th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented. They honoured artists in seven categories.
2011 Bell Awards
On 5 May 2011 the 8th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented. They honoured artists in eight categories.
2012 Bell Awards
On 3 May 2012 the 9th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented. They honoured artists in eight categories.
2013 Bell Awards
On 2 May 2013 the 10th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented by Jazz Artist and Chairman Albert Dadon AM and with Tracey Curro as MC at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. They honoured artists in eight categories.
2014 Bell Awards
On 1 May 2014 the 11th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented by jazz artist and Australian Jazz Awards Limited chairman, Albert Dadon, with Tracey Curro as MC at Melbourne's Plaza Ballroom. They honoured artists in eight categories.
2015 Bell Awards
On 30 April 2015the 12th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented and hosted by Helen Kapalos at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. Nominees were announced on 20 April. The ceremony honoured artists in eight categories.
2016 Bell Awards
On 20 June 2016 the 13th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented at Bird's Basement, Melbourne. Nominees were announced on 12 May. The ceremony honoured artists in eight categories.
2017 Bell Awards
On 15 May 2017 the 14th Australian Jazz Bell Awards were presented at Bird's Basement, Melbourne. Nominees were announced on 27 April. The ceremony honoured artists in seven categories.
2018 Bell Awards
Source: They honoured artists in seven categories.
