Three MAXJAZZ releases nominated for 2008 International Jazz Awards

Three CDs released over the past year by the St. Louis-based label MAXJAZZ have been nominated for 2008 International Jazz Awards.

* Trio Da Paz and Joe Locke's Live at Jazz Baltica is nominated for Outstanding Brazilian Jazz Performance in a Duo or Group/Instrumental.

* Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and his band WiRED's release Shock Value: Live at Smoke is up for an award in the category of Outstanding Performance of a New Artist – Vocal/Duo or Group/Instrumental.

* Trumpeter Terell Stafford's Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota is nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Live Album.

Intended as an annual event, the IJA makes its debut this year with a gala ceremony to be held Sunday, June 29 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The show will be hosted by actor/comedian D.L. Hughley, and recorded for future broadcast. Nominees were based on Soundscan’s top jazz sellers, and will honor jazz in categories including Contemporary/Smooth, Traditional, Swing, Latin, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Fusion and Dixieland.

MAXJAZZ releases new CD by Trio da Paz and Joe Locke

The St. Louis based MAXJAZZ label has released a new CD that teams Brazilian jazz group Trio da Paz with American vibes player Joe Locke. Live at JazzBaltica, which is out this week, documents a 2007 performance at the JazzBaltica festival in Salzau, Germany, and represents the first entry in what the label is calling its "band series".

Trio da Paz was formed in 1990 and consists of drummer Duduka da Fonseca, bassist Nilson Matta and guitarist Romero Lubambo, while Locke is known for his ability to tackle a variety of jazz styles from funk to free-form. You can hear some excerpts from Live at JazzBaltica via the eCard on the MAXJAZZ Web site.