STAR-BULLETIN / 2003 Nate Chinen has been recognized for his writing on jazz in the New York Times and JazzTimes magazine.

Jazz critic’s body of work wins him national recognition

Hawaii-born jazz writer Nate Chinen has won national recognition in the 10th Annual Jazz Journalists Association Awards.

A 1994 Iolani School graduate -- son of retired entertainers Teddy and Nanci Tanaka -- was one of four nominees for the Helen Dance-Robert Palmer Award for Excellence in Newspaper, Magazine or Online Feature or Review Writing. The winner, decided by more than 400 association members nationwide, was announced June 19 in New York City.

Chinen said the award "was for a body of work -- it's essentially 'jazz critic of the year.' "

It marks Chinen's second honor from the JJA. In 2004, he shared the award for Best Book About Jazz with legendary producer George Wein, for co-writing Wein's memoir, "Myself Among Others: A Life in Jazz," (Da Capo Press).

Chinen has been a contributor to the New York Times "for exactly a year now. ... Throw my name into the Times search engine and you'll see what I've been up to, which often ranges beyond jazz. ... A couple of weeks ago, I was out six nights in a row, and did three jazz festival programs as well as Radiohead and Tom Petty."

He also write a monthly column for JazzTimes magazine, as well as cover profiles of such talents as pianist Brad Mehldau and singers Cassandra Wilson and Nellie McKay.

Chinen was in Honolulu in May to catch up with family and friends.

"It's a real joy to know that the (jazz) scene is thriving in Honolulu, with wonderful musicians like my former mentor, the incomparable Noel Okimoto, as well as new generations of players."