New Derision Target: THE JAMMYS

Jammys set for April 26 to honour the best in improvisational music
NEW YORK (AP) — Alt-rocker Ryan Adams and mellow piano man Bruce Hornsby will immerse themselves in the jam band scene at the fifth annual Jammy awards, which will also feature Medeski Martin and Wood, Les Claypool and the North Mississippi Allstars.
The awards, hosted by Grateful Dead guitarist Phil Lesh, will be held April 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Other performers will include Yonder Mountain String Band and Keller Williams.
The Jammys, determined by fans, honour the best music to come out of the improvisational music scene. Fans can determine this year’s winners — including best album, live show and tour — by casting their vote on the Jammys website.
While Adams and Hornsby might seem out of place at the Jammys, Peter Shapiro, the event’s executive producer, said Thursday that their inclusion is part of the Jammy tradition of tapping a variety of acts.
“The jam band world really includes music from all genres,” said Shapiro, who is producing the event along with Relix magazine and the website jambands.com. “What we try to do at the Jammys is to celebrate great live music from all genres.”
The event also will honour an act for lifetime achievement; the recipient will be announced later, along with other performers.
“As in past years, we expect a night of a lot of surprises and we’re really excited with our initial lineup,” Shapiro said. “The initial lineup provides a great base for what is going to be an amazing night of great music.”