The works of two Kiwi jazzers were recognised in Wellington on June 11, being awarded Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Composition at the 2017 Jazz Awards.

Jonathan Crayford was awarded Best Jazz Album for ‘East West Moon’. The seven tracks that make up ‘East West Moon’ prove Crayford is a powerhouse of creativity, as well as a strong figure within the jazz world, both at home and globally.

The award for Best Jazz Composition went to Motueka-native Callum Allardice for his composition, Deep Thought. This is the second time Allardice has received the award, after earning it in 2016 for his work Sons of Thunder. Deep Thought is performed by Antipodes, a creative contemporary jazz sextet.