Larnell Lewis is the 2017 Emerging Jazz Artist Award Recipient

Toronto Arts Foundation announced Larnell Lewis as the recipient of the 2017 Emerging Jazz Artist Award on Saturday at TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

Toronto native Larnell Lewis is a musician, composer, producer, educator and clinician. One of Canada’s most promising up-and-coming drummers, Lewis has garnered international status with his most recent works with the three-time Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. He is a part-time music professor at Humber College, has been featured on the cover of Modern Drummer, and has performed with such artists as Fred Hammond, Lalah Hathaway, Lisa Fischer, and Laila Biali.

The Emerging Jazz Artist Award is intended to further the career of an outstanding musician and support the pre-production, production and/or recording of original music composed by the recipient. The $10,000 award was established in 2014, through the generous donation of Cheryl and Manuel Buchwald, and will be given out annually for at least 10 years. Finalists Allison Au and Michael Davidson received awards of $1,000 each.

The peer jury, facilitated by Christy DiFelice, Music Officer at Toronto Arts Council, included celebrated jazz artists and cultural leaders: Collin Barrett, Josh Grossman, Elena Kapeleris, and Shakura S’Aida.

Toronto Arts Foundation Awards are designed to heighten public awareness of arts and artists in Toronto by shining a spotlight on artistic excellence and achievement.

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ABOUT TORONTO ARTS FOUNDATION

Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment.

 

Contact Information:

For more information on the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards please visit www.torontoartsfoundation.org/awards

 

Jennifer Green, Associate Director

Toronto Arts Foundation

jennifer@torontoarts.org

416-392-6800 x207