The Paul Acket Award for "Artist Deserving Wider Recognition" was won last year by the Italian trombonist Gianluca Petrella. The jury report said the following: 'Gianluca Petrella, who plays that rare instrument in jazz, the trombone, deserves this prize for his attractive playing style, so adventurous and energetic. He experiments with effects and writes enthralling compositions. In addition, his improvising is versatile, full of his own strong musical ideas and with an immense range of colors. This inventive instrumentalist, who doesn't shirk adventure whether it be as a sideman or bandleader, plays different styles alongside one another brilliantly - traditional as well as avant-garde. And time and again he produces a wealth of ideas and innovation. He is an artist who, with his playing, can captivate an audience with ease.' Petrella graduated from the Bari conservatory in 1994. In 1997 he toured with the Italian jazz legend Enrico Rava. His debut album immediately caught the attention of the jazz scene, and his popularity ultimately led to a recording contract and the CD Indigo 4 on the Blue Note label.
