This year’s 10 shortlisted titles include Ann Vriend’s soulful look at inner-city struggles, For The People In The Mean Time, and saxophonist Don Berner’s jazz ode to Edmonton, Love Letters to a Rat-Free Capital.
The award, which recognizes an artist’s album and accomplishments, comes with an $8,000 grand prize. Two runners-up will each receive $1,000.
The other shortlisters include:
* Duplekita’s avant-pop debut, The Sound of Your Name
* Joe Nolan’s hushed roots-folk tempest, Tornado
* Jom Comyn’s meditative and majestic, In the Dark on 99 (All the Time, All the Time)
* KazMega’s hip-hop commentary, G.R.I.L.L.I.O.S.
* Marco Claveria Project’s Latin-flavoured Origins
* Slates’ triumphant punk explosion, Taiga
* Sylvia Shadick-Taylor’s classical piano adventure, Expressions
* The Provincial Archive’s intricate folk-pop gem, It’s All Shaken Wonder
Three finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 19. A winner will be named on Monday, Dec. 1 at a reception at MacEwan University.
The award is sponsored by the City of Edmonton through the Edmonton Arts Council.
Nuela Charles’ soul-pop album, Aware, was the winner of the inaugural prize last year.
