ABC Classics & Jazz were announced winners of the 2017 ARIA Awards for Best Classical, Best Jazz, Best Original Soundtrack and Best Comedy albums at a ceremony this morning at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Guitarist Slava Grigoryan won the Award for Best Classical Album for Bach Cello Suites Volume I. The album has already broken the record for the longest spell at number one for a classical album, spending 13 consecutive weeks at the top. It was a bumper year for Slava, with four albums nominated across three categories.
James Morrison was nominated twice for Best Jazz Album, with his Great American Songbook taking out the Award. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the album features the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as Harry Morrison and William Morrison in the rhythm section.
The late John Clarke was a popular winner of Best Comedy Album for Clarke’s Classics – a programme originally recorded for ABC Classic FM. His wife Helen McDonald and daughter Lucia Clarke accepted the award on his behalf.
In Best Soundtrack Album, Nigel Westlake collected the award for his score for Ali’s Wedding. The album features Joseph Tawadros, Slava Grigoryan and Lior as guest artists, alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer.
The ABC’s labels received an additional 5 nominations, bringing their total for 2017 to 19 across 9 categories including Best Children’s Album – The Wiggles for The Wiggles Duets, Jimmy Barnes for Och Aye the G’nu!, and The Idea of North, Lior and Elena Kats-Chernin for A Piece of Quiet; Best Country Album – Lee Kernaghan’s The 25th Anniversary Album; and in Best Blues and Roots Album – When We Fall by All Our Exes Live in Texas. The winners of these categories will be announced on 28 November.
“It’s a thrill that so many ABC artists are winners and nominees in this year’s ARIAs,” said Natalie Waller, General Manager of ABC Music. “As well as recognition in our key genres including Classical, Jazz, Children’s, Soundtrack and Country.”
‘It’s particularly special for John Clarke’s years of collaboration with the ABC to be recognised with the Best Comedy Award. Congratulations to all the winners announced so far, and best of luck to everyone nominated for further awards!”
2017 Aria Awards will be announced at The Star Event Centre, Sydney on Tuesday 28 November. For more information, visit: www.ariaawards.com.au For more information about ABC Music, visit: www.abcmusic.com.au for details.
Image: Slava Grigoryan – Bach Cello Suites Volume I; John Clarke – Clarke’s Classics; and James Morrison – The Great American Songbook – courtesy of ABC Music