Conrad Herwig wins North Sea Jazz Award 2006

[Lois Gilbert]

Conrad Herwig wins Jazz Award 2006

This year's Paul Acket Award 'Artist Deserving Wider Recognition' (formerly Bird Award) has been granted to trombonist Conrad Herwig. This prize, presented at the North Sea Jazz Festival, is intended for an artist who, according to the jury, deserves the attention of a broader audience.

Jazz connoisseurs consider Conrad Herwig one of the most prominent jazz trombonists. More than a musician, he has also been active as a composer, arranger, band-leader and educator. Herwig, who started his musical career in Clark Terry's Big Band, is a trombone virtuoso who applies that capacity economically but effectively to fit the circumstances. As a much-in-demand sideman, with Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Mingus Big Band and Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, he has made his talent subservient to the music. Because of his broad knowledge of repertoire and flexible, personal sound he adds beautiful colors to any ensemble he performs with. In the last few years he has gained more recognition with his own projects, which he not only has initiated but also dominates as an arranger.

His latest release, Another Kind of Blue: the Latin Side of Miles Davis, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. It's the follow-up to the Grammy nominated CD The Latin Side of John Coltrane (1998). Next to these special projects he has also released a large number of solo albums, especially on the Dutch Criss Cross Jazz label.

His talents as a musical educator shouldn't go unmentioned. He offers clinics, work-shops and master classes all over the world. All these qualifications led the jury to granting the Paul Acket Award 'Artist Deserving Wider Recognition' to Conrad Herwig.

[Jazzbo48]

I love his playing. He plays that instrument as though it's built for speed, which of course it isn't. One of the very well rounded players of today, as you point out with his educational activities. Another Criss Crosser. LOL