Pianist Sean Mason and vocalist Catherine Russell have received an Outstanding Recording award for My Ideal at the 40th Annual Bistro Awards, presented on April 14, 2025, at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.
The honor adds to a strong run for the album, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 67th Grammy Awards following its release on Dot Time Records in August 2024.
WHY MY IDEAL WAS HONORED
In announcing this year's honorees, the Bistro Awards committee pointed to the album's mix of songs pared down to just voice and piano, a format that lets listeners hear the pair's artistry in a fresh way. Across 11 songs spanning early jazz through the 1950s, Mason's stride-rooted piano is the only accompaniment to Russell's voice, from the 1930 title ballad "My Ideal" to the closing Peggy Lee blues "Waitin' for the Train to Come In."
The award is Russell's second Bistro Award and Sean's first. Read the Bistro Awards' profile of Russell and Mason for the committee's full write-up.
ABOUT THE BISTRO AWARDS
Established in 1985 by critic Bob Harrington in his "Bistro Bits" column for the trade weekly Back Stage, the Bistro Awards recognize achievement in cabaret, jazz, and comedy, and are billed as the oldest awards of their kind in the industry. Sherry Eaker produced the 40th anniversary ceremony, and Gerry Geddes directed it, with pianist Daryl Kojak as music director. This year's honorees also included Sandy Stewart, Kathleen Landis, and Jane Scheckter.
ALBUM DETAILS
- Album: My Ideal
- Artists: Sean Mason (piano) and Catherine Russell (vocals)
- Label: Dot Time Records
- Released: August 23, 2024
- Recognition: 2025 Bistro Award, Outstanding Recording; Grammy nomination, Best Jazz Vocal Album
LISTEN
My Ideal is out now on all major streaming platforms, CD, and vinyl LP. Explore the award-winning recording on Dot Time Records' My Ideal album page, or stream and download My Ideal on Bandcamp.
For more of Sean's music as a leader, explore his debut album The Southern Suite, released in October 2023 on Blue Engine Records, the label of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Reviewing the album for Jazziz, critic Michael Roberts wrote that it found Sean "putting a joyful spin on jazz tradition."
