JUNO Category of Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year, 2010.

The five nominees for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year are Charles Spearin for ‘The Happiness Project‘, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society for ‘Infernal Machines’, Hilario Duran for ‘Motion’, John Roney for ‘Silverbirch’ and Kirk MacDonald for ‘Songbook Vol. 1’  . Below is a brief bio of each artist and an example of their nominated album.

Charles Spearin – The Happiness Project

A member of the band Broken Social Scene, Spearin is no stranger to the JUNO Awards, previously winning two awards. This album, which is based around the spoken word recordings of his neighbors in Toronto talking about happiness. ‘The Happiness Project’s” success has come as a refreshing surprise

Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Infernal Machines

‘Infernal Machines’ is the debut album by Darcy James Argue.  The album utilizes Argue’s 18 piece big band using traditional styles in new and innovative ways. A native of Vancouver, Argue earned his masters degree in Boston and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Hilario Duran – Motion

A performer at last years Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival with Luis Mario Ochoa, Hilario Duran has produced another JUNO nominated album in ‘Motion’. Cuban born Duran, now based in Toronto is a two time JUNO winner (2002 and 2006) for his albums ‘Havana Remembered’ and ‘Perspectiva Encuentro en la Habana’. He has also received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo.

John Roney – Silverbirch

A Grand Prix du Jazz nominee at the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival and has become an integral part of the Montreal jazz scene. John has built a reputation as a talented pianist, representing Canada at the Martial Solal International Piano Competition in Paris, France. A native of Toronto, Roney has toured the world showcasing his considerable talent.

Kirk MacDonald Quartet – Songbook Vol. 1

Kirk MacDonald has numerous JUNO nominations and a JUNO award (Best Mainstream Album in 1999) as a solo artist plus several other nominations as part of other groups. The Nova Scotia native is one of Canada’s leading saxophonists and has worked with some of the finest jazz musicians around today.

Related Articles

• Music Review: Hilario Duran Trio – Motion (seattlepi.com)
• Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society In Concert: Newport Jazz Festival 2010 (3quarksdaily.com)