Congratulations to drummer Antonio Sánchez and trumpeter Cuong Vu, who have won ECHO Jazz 2017 Awards for their performances on two 2016 Nonesuch albums with guitarist Pat Metheny: Antonio Sánchez International Drums Instrumentalist of the Year for The Unity Sessions, with the Pat Metheny Unity Group, and Cuong Vu has been named International Brass Instrumentalist of the Year for Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny.

The Unity Sessions is taken from a filmed performance with Pat Metheny Unity Group—Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Ben Williams on bass, and multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi—first released on DVD in 2015. The set comprises 13 songs by Metheny, one he co-wrote with Ornette Coleman, and one well known standard by Ray Noble. The Times of London exclaims: "It's brilliant."

Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny joins the guitarist with a trio led by longtime Pat Metheny Group trumpeter Cuong Vu. It comprises five tunes written by Vu plus one by Metheny and one by Andrew D'Angelo. "Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny is a complete success," exclaims All About Jazz, "a treat for fans of both musicians."

This year's ECHO Jazz Awards ceremony will take place at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, televised on NDR, on June 1, 2017. For additional details and the complete list of winners, visit echojazz.de.