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2011 Jazzonian Legacy Awards

Jazzonian is pleased to recognice these individuals for their outstanding leadership and service to Jazz. And the winners are: Ed Bell (WLRN), Lifetime Achievement; Phyllis Fee, Jazz Benefactor; and James Chism, Jazz Volunteer.

This year's Legacy Awards were presented by Founder/President of Jazzonian Bobby Ramirez at the Jazz Jubilee event which launched "Jazz Appreciation Month" at the Arts Garage produced in partnership with the Creative City Collaborative of Delray Beach and Jazzonian.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ed Bell
Producer/Host of South Florida Arts Beat
WLRN 91.3 FM

Ed Bell has been involved in the local music scene since getting his start on the air at the University of Miami's WVUM in 1971. In the years that followed, he co-produced Jazz legend “Symphony Sid” Torin's show on the all Jazz, Blues and Rock formatted WBUS, Miami Beach, hosted live broadcasts of Jazz concerts on WTMI from the Airliner Jazz Club and as a soundman at the Airliner, he worked with Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver, Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, pianist Bill Evans and a host of other Jazz legends.

In the theater world, he worked as a sound designer at the Coconut Grove Playhouse from 1977 to 1980. Running the sound system for the Broadway tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’ was a particular thrill. CLICK HERE to read more about Ed Bell.

Jazz Benefactor
Phyllis Fee
Managing Member of Blackbyrd Group, LLC

Phyllis serves various professional and community organizations including Community Development for Jazzonian. She is the Managing Member of Blackbyrd Group, LLC, a professional services firm that specializes in accounting, tax and outsourcing solutions. Phyllis has extensive experience in middle-market and large corporate arenas.

Having worked in both Big 4 public accounting and Fortune 100 private industry, she is qualified in complex accounting,finance,federal and multi-state tax, mergers and acquisitions, tax minimization strategies, economic development incentives and tax credit studies.

Jazz Volunteer
James Chism
Event Chair, South Florida Jazz Summit

James has been a long-time Jazz enthusiast. Growing up in the Detroit area, he was first introduced to Jazz by his older brothers at the age of 10,and quickly became emerged in the rich music heritage for which Detroit is noted.

Since it’s inception last year, James’ Facebook page, “Friends Jazz Consortium,”has amassed 2,000 friends, connecting Jazz artists, disc jockeys, programmers and enthusiasts in the United States and world wide. He has been interviewed on Jazz radio programs in South Florida and Michigan. James also currently serves as Curator for Jazzonian.

Photos by Russell Levine

 

"I am" short film presentation premiered at the 2nd Annual South Florida Jazz Summit. Watch it and be inspired.

Make a tax-deductable donation to JAZZONIAN. Invest in the future of Jazz! Click here!

Letter from the Founder and President of Jazzonian: Bobby Ramirez

Attention Pro Jazz Musicians:
Join the Jazzonian Artist-in-Residence Program

The Art of Jazz Inspired Greatness!
It was a final night of amazing Jazz sounds as well as sponsor appreciation featuring the champion #1 high school band in the country, winner of the Essentially Ellington competition: Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble.

A New Creative Way to Experience Jazz!
Jazzonian is pleased to announce its new innovative education program called TOUCH JAZZ.

Excellence in Jazz Education
Jazzonian is very pleased to announce its 2011 Excellence in Jazz Education Award. This year's recipient is Mr. Christopher Dorsey, Band Director of the Jazz Orchestra at Dillard Center for the Arts.

JAZZONIAN Traveling Exhibit
As part of our commitment to inspire, educate, and bring people together, JAZZONIAN is available as a traveling exhibit to local community schools, institutions and organizations seeking to create more awareness of Jazz while celebrating the rich history of this unique American art form. If you would like JAZZONIAN to be part of your special event, contact Bobby Ramirez, info@jazzonian.org

About Latin Jazz
Jazzonian proudly presents Latin Jazz Player: a virtual educational cultural arts initiative produced by Bobby Ramirez that is part of the Jazzonian online multimedia experience honoring the great musicians that made significant contributions in helping to shape the sound of this classic American music artform. Latin Jazz Player also serves as a quick one-stop educational guide for music students, as well as helping music teachers articulate and present Latin Jazz as part of a school music curriculum.