Sonny Rollins, the veteran saxophonist, was the big winner on Wednesday night at the annual Jazz Awards in New York, taking home three trophies. He was named musician of the year for the second year in a row and won for best record and best tenor saxophonist to boot.
He won the best-record trophy for his latest album, “Road Shows, Vol. 2” (Emarcy/Umgd), which consists of live recordings from concerts in Japan as well as a concert he gave on his 80th birthday in New York with Ornette Coleman. Mr. Rollins could not attend the awards dinner at the Blue Note because he was moving to a new home, in upstate New York, but sent a letter that was read by the master of ceremonies, Josh Jackson, who hosts a jazz show on WBGO (88.3 FM), The Associated Press reported.
“I was born with some talent for which I am grateful,” Mr. Rollins wrote. “I copied and learned from my predecessors, and I’m grateful to them and I gratefully accept this award.”
Mr. Rollins wasn’t the only repeat winner honored by members of the Jazz Journalists Association, who each year sponsor the dinner and choose the winners. Joe Lovano’s group Us Five, with Esperanza Spalding on bass and James Weidman on piano, won best small ensemble for the third consecutive year.
The large ensemble award went to the Mingus Big Band. Anat Cohen, the Israeli woodwind player, won in both the clarinet and the multireeds categories. Vijay Iyer was given top honors in the piano category, and Rudresh Manhanthappa won the alto saxophone award.
The association bestowed the award for best up-and-coming artist on the bass player Ben Williams, who released his debut album, “State of Art,” last year after winning the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Competition.
A full list of winners can be found on the Jazz Journalists Association Web site.