JAZZ : A Flourish of Trumpets for 27th Golden Feathers

Only a determined pessimist could claim that the year now reaching its coda was anything less than a salutary one for jazz. The proof was everywhere.

Jazz albums, including many priceless reissues, reached reviewers at a rate of about 100 a month. And live performances were easily accessible via clubs, concert halls, festivals, cruises and parties.

For the 27th annual Golden Feather Awards, here are a few of the indisputable achievements:

Artist of the year: Arturo Sandoval. A flourish of trumpets for the Cuban hornman, who since defecting from Havana in July, 1990, has conquered most of the world--as a protege of Dizzy Gillespie and as leader of his own group. Though basically a stratospheric trumpet and fluegelhorn phenomenon, Sandoval mixes in blues, bop and salsa elements, doubles on piano and sings hilarious scat vocals. He can be checked out on his own “Flight to Freedom” album on GRP Records or with Gillespie on the latter’s “United Nation Band” on Enja Records.

Singer of the year: Shirley Horn. After 30 years in and out of national focus, she finally scored a hit at age 57 with “You Won’t Forget Me,” a Verve album certainly not hindered by the presence of such guests as Miles Davis, Toots Thielemans and Branford and Wynton Marsalis. Equally gifted as a pianist, she supplied the backup for Carmen McRae on “Dedicated to You,” McRae’s RCA tribute album to the late Sarah Vaughan.

Young artist of the year: A tossup between two pianists who are both Art Blakey alumni and are both signed to Blue Note Records: Benny Green, 28, whose latest release is a trio album, “Greens,” and Geoff Keezer, 20, whose debut is “Here and Now.”

Old artist of the year: Adolphus (Doc) Cheatham. As the centerpiece of a memorable concert at New York’s Town Hall during the JVC Jazz Festival in June, the trumpeter remained unbowed, blowing beautifully at age 86.

Band of the year: The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Led by a troika of bassist-arranger John Clayton, saxophonist Jeff Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, this splendid Los Angeles ensemble has been all but ignored by the East Coast-biased critical in-group. Yet its “Heart and Soul” album on Capri Records is flawless.

Surprise of the year: Natalie Cole. Much more than a graceful tribute to her father, her “Unforgettable” album on Elektra demonstrated the singer’s jazz potential. May she never return to the pop world that locked her in for so long.

Record of the year: Tommy Flanagan’s “Beyond the Blue Bird” (Timeless Records). Another heroic contribution by the incomparable pianist.

Reissue of the year: “The Legacy” by Billie Holiday. This three-CD collection on Columbia Records is devoted mainly to Lady Day’s epic years, 1933-1941. Gloriously indispensable.

TV special of the year: “Sarah--The Divine One,” a show on Sarah Vaughan that aired on PBS in July as part of the “American Masters” series. The special maintained a perfect balance between music and conversation, early black-and-white clips and later color shots of the subject, and comments by everyone from Vaughan’s mother and daughter to fellow singers and musicians. This riveting hour ought to be rerun at least once a year.

Movie of the year: “Dingo.” This film by Australian director Rolf de Heer--which has concluded a one-week run to qualify for Academy Award consideration--was Miles Davis’ swan song: He was extensively featured as part of Michel Legrand’s remarkable score. The film was the trumpeter’s first and final movie acting role, in a strange setting (the Australian outback) with some of his best playing in decades, as well as a chance to remind us of his enigmatic personality.

Book of the year: “Traps the Drum Wonder--the Life of Buddy Rich,” by Mel Torme (Oxford University Press). A highly readable, generally honest portrait of a gifted though less-than-likable human being.

Blue notes of the year: It was a year heavy with losses. Among these, Miles Davis and Stan Getz stood out. Posthumous albums, however, will keep their memories very much alive. A Getz duo collection with pianist Kenny Barron will be out soon. The tape of Davis’ performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival last summer, where he played material from his classic collaborations with arranger Gil Evans, is due next year. The adage holds true: “Every goodby ain’t gone.”

Other major goodbys: Swing bandleader Charlie Barnet, clarinetists Jimmy Noone Jr. and John Carter, singer-pianist Jeri Southern, guitarist Slim Gaillard, organist Richard (Groove) Holmes, saxophonists Bud Freeman, Sal Nistico, Al Klink and Buster Smith, trumpeters Jimmy McPartland and Buck Clayton and bassist Allen Jackson.

Outlook for 1992: The average age of the most promising new musicians will be lower than ever as they stream out of the conservatories. Meanwhile, the octogenarians--Benny Carter, Stephane Grappelli, Lionel Hampton and the above-cited Doc Cheatham--will continue to inspire us.