Andrew Hill Wins 2003 JAZZPAR

By I Aug. 14, 2002

Pianist/composer Andrew Hill has recently been named as the winner of the 2003 JAZZPAR prize. The Danish award, the largest of its kind in the world of jazz, comes with a cash award of 20,000 Danish Kroner (approximately $26,500).

Hill will be presented the award at the Tivoli in Copenhagen on April 27, 2003, at a grand concert. Prior to receiving the award, the legendary pianist will perform a series of concerts in various groups and settings around Denmark.

The criteria for the award, selected by a committee of international jazz experts, is stated as such: “Many candidates are discussed every year. To reach its decision, the committee has only a few predetermined criteria or guidelines to follow, the most important being that the Prize can be awarded only to an internationally known and fully active jazz artist who is specifically deserving of further acclaim. A great number of jazz musicians fully satisfy such criteria.”

The 2002 winner of the prize was Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava. Hill is the ninth American to win the award, now in its 14th year.

For more information, go to www.jazzpar.dk.