Paul Sanchez

When Allen Toussaint’s The Bright Mississippi was released, we said, “(Producer Joe) Henry treats these recordings not as pop, jazz nor R only ones who feel that way &B but as art song—an elevated, sophisticated thing that draws from vernacular traditions. As an American treasure, it’s the sort of treatment Toussaint merits, and it’s a treatment that is sympathetic with his piano playing. He is relentlessly tasteful and elegant, choosing notes with care and sensitivity to space and context.”

Evidently, we’re not the about the album. It was nominated for a Grammy, and you selected it as Album of the Year and Toussaint, Artist of the Year and Best Piano Player.

We presented these and all of the Best of the Beat awards January 20 at the Harrah’s Theatre and January 22 at the House of Blues. Since we went to press before these events, we can’t show you photos from those nights here, but go to OffBeat.com for pictures and reports. Thanks to our sponsors—Harrah’s New Orleans, Abita Beer, WWL-TV, Louisiana Entertainment Office, Capital One Bank, Sweet Home New Orleans, MusicSwingsVotes.org and Loyola School of Music Business Studies—and all the musicians and restaurants who helped make the Best of the Beat happen. We’ll be back this time next year; will you join us?

MUSIC AWARDS

Best Rock Album
Paper Empire: Better Than Ezra

Best Country/Folk/Roots Rock Album
Stew Called New Orleans: Paul Sanchez and John Boutte

Song of the Year
“Hey God”: John Boutte and Paul Sanchez
(written by John Boutte and Paul Sanchez)

Songwriter of the Year
Paul Sanchez

Artist of the Year
Allen Toussaint

Album of the Year
The Bright Mississippi: Allen Toussaint

Best Blues Album
Wishing Well: Honey Island Swamp Band  

Honey Island Swamp Band

Best Emerging Artist
Honey Island Swamp Band

Best Female Vocalist
Irma Thomas

Best Male Vocalist
John Boutte

Best Bass Player
George Porter, Jr.

Best Drummer
Johnny Vidacovich

Best Clarinetist
Dr. Michael White

Best Trumpeter
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews

Best Tuba/Sousaphonist
Matt Perrine

Best Piano/Keyboardist
Allen Toussaint

Best Accordionist
Terrance Simien

Theresa Andersson

Best Violinist/Fiddler
Theresa Andersson

Best DJ
DJ Soul Sister

Best Other Instrumentalist
Washboard Chaz, washboard

Best Radio Station
WWOZ

Best Festival
Voodoo Music Experience

Best Recording Studio
The Music Shed

Best Record Store
Louisiana Music Factory

Best Studio Sound Engineer
Chris Finney

Best Music Attorney
Ashlye M. Keaton

Best Club Owner or Manager

Tom Thayer (d.b.a.)

Best Concert Promoter
Hypersoul

Music Awareness Award
WWL-TV