Rayford nominated for
best percussionist category.

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The nominees have been announced for the inaugural American Smooth Jazz Awards to be held October 29 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Indiana. Among the 18 categories are both male and female vocalists, instrumentalists, song, album and entertainer of the year. Excitement is mounting with news that Rayford has been nominated in the best percussionist category. Other nominees are: Harvey Mason, Alex Acuna, Lenny Castro and Russ Kunkel

Nominating ballots were sent to the top 30 smooth jazz radio stations in the U.S., along with significant producers of smooth jazz Internet and satellite music and top smooth jazz journalists nationwide. The top nominees in each of the categories will be placed online for public voting at americansmoothjazzawards.com