Australian Jazz Bell Awards, also known just as the Bell Awards or The Bells, are annual music awards for the jazz music genre in Australia. The awards were named in honour of Australian jazz pianist, composer and band leader, Graeme Bell, at their inception in 2003 at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
The awards were launched by State Minister for the Arts, Mary Delahunty, and Graeme Bell on 5 June 2003 to recognise the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally. The awards were the inspiration of Festival Chairman, Albert Dadon and Artistic Director, Adrian Jackson. Adrian Jackson said at the time, "The Bells will put the spotlight on the Australian jazz industry that it has never enjoyed before. These new industry gongs will recognise the achievement of excellence by many artists, record companies and venues, and will encourage others to match those achievements."
In 2008, the Australian Jazz Awards Limited, a not-for-profit organisation with its own independent board, was established to present the awards which became separate from the Melbourne Jazz Festival committee.
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