Predicting the jazz Juno Awards: 2022
My review of all 15 nominated albums in the 3 jazz categories
My jazz Juno Award predictions
How many of this year's Juno Award nominees for jazz can you name?
I bet there's a lot of great music there, ready to be discovered (or brought back to your attention).
That's why in this Update, the first annual of its kind, I'm rounding them all up for you. And I'm predicting who will win, for extra fun.
Currently, there are three categories at the Junos for jazz: vocal jazz, instrumental solo artist, and instrumental group. The ceremony will happen on May 15, 2022.
Here's what I'm writing for each album:
- How likely is it to win the award? My opinion, of course. It doesn't mean I want the album to win: just whether or not I'd predict a win.
- What's something great about it?
- What's my favourite track?
Then at the end, I'll summarize my predictions.
Let's go...
Vocal Jazz Album of the Year
You Are the Light and the Way, by Alex Bird
12 track album
Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 27, 2021
(Toronto)
- How likely: unlikely. The title track and "Fool for Love" deliver the concept – crooner with an above-average depth of soul-jazz and hard bop – but the rest of the album doesn't build on that.
- Something great: Alex's brand is strong and legible to anyone who lands on his work for the first time.
- Top track: "You Are the Light and the Way"
Earth Voices - Amanda Tosoff
Poetry by Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Rumi, Pablo Neruda & more. Music by Amanda Tosoff, except track 6 by Joni Mitchell, track 5 by Mike Ross,
(Toronto)
- How likely: should be the favourite by a country mile, bravo!
- Something great: I'm a fan of Chelsea McBride, and Chelsea's main vocalist, Alex Samaras, sings on a few tracks.
- Top track: "Oh Life"
Now Pronouncing: Caity Gyorgy, by Caity Gyorgy
5 track album
Jon Goode
(Toronto)
- How likely: she could easily win but isn't this project too short? It's within ten seconds of being ineligible, clocking in at 20:09. But on her next project, definitely watch out.
- Something great: most of the original songs are written and arranged smartly into the Ella-sings-Cole-Porter bag.
- Top track: "12th Avenue"
The Weight Of Hope, by Elizabeth Shepherd& Michael Occhipinti (ES:MO)
12 track album
Wes Campbell
- How likely: not likely. The album is all over the place – two Bruce Cockburn covers, both electric and acoustic sounds, and spoken-word interludes.
- Something great: Their ballads are nice, whether driven by guitars or by keyboards.
- Top track: "Wondering Where The Lions Are"
Montreal (Live)
Holly Cole · Ep · 2021 · 6 songs.
- How likely: it's Holly Cole. I guess it's pretty likely. I don't feel like covering this one, because it's a major-label release.
Jazz Album of the Year: Solo
When Is Ancient?, by Andrés Vial
9 track album
Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 26, 2022
(Montreal)
- How likely: a long shot, although the artist was nominated last year (and didn't win) as well.
- Something great: the folkie angst! It's got what I like about late-2000s Aaron Parks and Brian Blade.
- Top track: "The Map Is Not The Territory"
Aesthetics, by Efajemue
8 track album
Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 1, 2016
(Los Angeles)
- How likely: a decent chance, but it would be a statement pick, as this album is jazztronica (Jonny Tobin music!) and the rest of the category is acoustic.
- Something great: Efa is quite a journeyman, coming from Edmonton then going to McGill and now working in LA.
- Top track: "Black Suede"
Bridges, by Jesse Ryan
9 track album
carmanj72
(Toronto)
- How likely: a strong contender. It's a debut album, but it's heavy acoustic Caribbean fusion.
- Something great: the guest vocals by Joanna Majoko, now of the Ostara Project.
- Top track: "Zambian Offertory"
Stranger Than Fiction - Jon Gordon
Experience
Stranger than Fiction is only available on ArtistShare
- How likely: it has to be the favourite. It's outstanding, but is it too artsy compared to the more accessible (and also great) albums in the category?
- Something great: you can check out my review from 2021.
- Top track: "Havens"
Change of Plans
Will Bonness · Album · 2020 · 8 songs.
- How likely: the other favourite! It's been a success on streaming, sounds utterly confident, and doesn't compromise on its straight-ahead concept.
- Something great: it's like a late-night bonus session from Jon Gordon's album above; the entire lineup of this record also appeared on Stranger than Fiction.
- Top track: "Burning Bridges"
Jazz Album of the Year: Group
WORLDVIEW, by Avataar
8 track album
Avataar
(Toronto)
- How likely: Maybe the favourite. They made that JAZZ.FM91 roundup of the top 25 albums from 2021, and the production is well-balanced.
- Something great: they are perhaps the most true to the 'group' category in their collective spirit.
- Top track: "Song Song"
Voyage intérieur, by Christine Tassan Quintette
10 track album
Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 12, 2021
(Montreal)
- How likely: no chance. This album has won some accolades, but it's not the most focused artistic statement of the category this year.
- Something great: the soprano sax playing.
- Top track: "Première neige"
The Prophet
Esteban Herrera · Album · 2021 · 11 songs.
(Calgary)
- How likely: low chance, especially with Worldview by Avataar also in the category. Compared to that album, this one sounds less fresh in production style, and it's so long – clocking in at almost 100 minutes!
- Something great: it's the first album from the entire field, all categories, that I would put on to have fun at a party in my house.
- Top track: "The Poet"
Vegetables, by Lina Allemano Four
6 track album
Lina Allemano LUMO RECORDS
(Toronto)
- How likely: a contender that stands out – it's really the only free-jazz project in the field.
- Something great: the arco bass improvisation of Andrew Downing.
- Top track: "Onions"
Arancina, by David Restivo
9 track album
carmanj72
(Toronto)
- How likely: I'd say it's the favourite but it doesn't fit the group category too well – really feels like a Dave Restivo album – and it sounds a bit heavily-compressed compared to the rest of the category. But the playing is undeniable.
- Something great: check out my review from 2021.
- Top track: "Kintsugi"
Who will win?
- Vocal jazz: Earth Voices – Amanda Tosoff
- Solo album: Change of Plans - Will Bonness
- Group album: Worldview - Avataar
What do you think – are you familiar with some of the nominees or have thoughts about who might win?
Can't wait to be wrong, I'm just asking for it by making predictions!
