Congratulations to Cécile McLorin Salvant, Darcy James Argue, Mary Halvorson, and Ambrose Akinmusire, who have all won the Jazz Journalists Association's 2024 JJA Jazz Awards.

Cécile McLorin Salvant has won the JJA Jazz Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her new album, Mélusine, is a mix of originals and interpretations of songs dating as far back as the 12th century, mostly sung in French along with Occitan, English, and Haitian Kreyòl. They tell the folk tale of Mélusine, a woman who turns into a half-snake each Saturday after a childhood curse by her mother. "Anyone who thinks they already know the full extent of Cécile McLorin Salvant's artistry should listen to Mélusine without further delay," exclaims Jazzwise. "It's a remarkable recording in several respects. Beautifully recorded, Salvant continues to confound and delight at every turn."

Darcy James Argue won the JJA Jazz Award for Arranger of the Year. Darcy James Argue's Secret Society's Nonesuch debut album, Dynamic Maximum Tension, pays homage to some of Argue’s key influences with original songs dedicated to R. Buckminster Fuller, Alan Turing, and Mae West. Cécile McLorin Salvant joins the ensemble for “Mae West: Advice.” Dynamic Maximum Tension’s eleven tracks also include a response to Duke Ellington’s “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue,” titled “Tensile Curves,” among other originals.

Mary Halvorson won the JJA Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year. Her new album, Cloudward, features eight new compositions she performs with her sextet Amaryllis—the improvisatory band that performed on her acclaimed 2022 albums Amaryllis and Belladonna: Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Nick Dunston (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Jacob Garchik (trombone), and Adam O’Farrill (trumpet). Laurie Anderson is featured on the track "Incarnadine."

Ambrose Akinmusire won the JJA Jazz Award for Trumpeter of the Year. "This is my reaction to being assaulted by information," Akinmusire says of his Nonesuch debut album, Owl Song, featuring a trio with two musicians he has long admired, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Herlin Riley. "A quiet rush of gorgeous sound where space, tone and beauty come together in one of the most impactful albums of 2023," says DownBeat. "This is one of the most interesting recordings to come along in a very long time by one of the most interesting artists of our time."

For more information and to see the complete list of nominees, visit jjajazzawards.org.