Paul Acket, founder of the North Sea Jazz Festival, is commemorated each year with the presentation of the Paul Acket Award. From 1985 until 2006 this internationally acclaimed prize was known as the Bird Award.
This prize is awarded to individuals or groups (not necessarily musicians) who made a significant contribution to the development of jazz music. The award holds two categories:
Artist Deserving Wider Recognition
For an artist who, according to the jury, deserves wider recognition. This award is presented every year and this year's nominees are:
- Stefano di Battista
- Joris Roelofs
- Adam Rogers
Special Appreciation
Awarded to a person who has contributed to jazz music in the broadest sense of the word. This award is not presented every year.
In 2007, the Paul Acket Award 'Artist Deserving Wider Recognition' was presented to none other than Gianluca Petrella. The Paul Acket Award for the category 'Special Appreciation' was handed out to Dick Bakker, who deserved this prize because of his work in the music business for over 40 years, and for being the conductor of the Metropole Orchestra until 2005.
Jury Paul Acket Award
- Henk Meutgeert: Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw
- Wouter Turkenburg: Hoofd Jazzafdeling Koninklijk Conservatorium
- Kees van Boven: Voorheen programmeur Oosterpoort & Jazz Marathon Groningen
- Jaap Ludeke : Radio 6
