My Morning Jacket, moe. and Benevento Russo Duo lead Jammy noms; Zappa tribute planned

Thursday, February 23rd 2006, 2:37 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Dweezil Zappa will participate in a special tribute to his late dad, Frank Zappa, while My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams and the North Mississippi All-Stars will be among the acts vying for key awards at the sixth annual Jammy Awards.

The Jammys, which will be held April 20 at The Theater in Madison Square Garden, honor and celebrate the improvisational music scene and live musical performances. Each year the show's lineup tends to overshadow the actual award winners, with buzz-worthy performances from unique pairings of performers. Past highlights included Buddy Guy and John Mayer, and the reunion of Black Crowes brothers Chris and Rich Robinson.

Peter Shapiro, one of the show's producers, told The Associated Press on Thursday that this year's nominees indicate that ``we're moving out of the Grateful Dead, Phish world and into a new era with new bands taking over the mantle for great live music; the torch is being passed.''

My Morning Jacket, the jam band moe. and the eclectic Benevento Russo Duo are each nominated for three Jammys. Shapiro said the nomination of the rock group My Morning Jacket ``demonstrates this scene embraces music other than what's at its core.''

Other multiple nominees include Ryan Adams, Widespread Panic and the Allman Brothers.

Among the acts slated to perform are Blues Traveler, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Richie Havens, Savion Glover, Angelique Kidjo and Bettye Lavette. More acts are to be added to the bill later.

This year's Jammy Awards will kick off the Green Apple Music and Arts Festival, a four-day music festival at various venues in New York City.