---

2002 NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS


National Jazz Award
Stainless Steel with Acrylic Base
3.5" x 1.5" x 5.5"

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE DESIGN....

The concept and design of the NATIONAL JAZZ AWARD was to include work with
an abstract interplay of jazz instruments and jazz idioms such as
improvisation, movement, rhythm and a chromatic element. As well, I hoped
for a look that would be distinctly Canadian.

Piano keys or trumpet valves are evident on the left. The curve of a Bass
is on the right. The curving up the middle suggests the letter 'J' for Jazz,
the saxophone and the bodies of a trumpet, trombone i.e. the complete brass section.

Where the Canadian theme is imparted is that the form and content of an
Inuit 'Inukshuk' was directly considered. As you drive north, along the
sides of the highway are consciously placed stones that primitively capture
the essence of the human form. They are a mark of the human spirit, a marker
to 'help us find our way'. The ball at the top of the award is a head.
The rectangular projections, mentioned earlier to suggest paino keys and the
valves of a trumpet, here represent the flat stones composing the remainder
of the human form.

The arch of the 'J' shape plays with the well known and highly recognizable
image of the wind blown Canadian pine.

The materials that make up the award itself are stainless steel and cast
acrylic. The blue is a metaphor for the chromatic element in jazz.
The optic quality of the acrylic is exceptional. No other material matches
its clarity. Acrylic is rarely used for such projects because it is worth
more than its own weight in gold.

It was more than a pleasure to have worked with Bill King and Thom Hirtz of
the of the National Jazz Awards in seeing this project through to fruition.
To the many musicians who work day in and day out with little recognition
for their dedication I am so very greatful. I only hope the design of this
award meets with your standards in excellence.

To all musicians...thank you for the music.

---

Back

click to e-mail