There’s a reason why the 21-member Seattle Music Commission selected alt-country darling Brandi Carlile to receive a City of Music Award. Carlile’s raw, emotional songs are both commercially friendly (“The Story” and a handful of other tracks were famously heard on Grey’s Anatomy) and critically lauded (uber-producer Rick Rubin took the reins on last year’s Give Up the Ghost). But to give Carlile the Breakthrough Award, while deserved, seems a little late. Carlile broke through in 2004, when Columbia signed her; if anything, she should be recognized for the continual meteoric rise of her career in the past six years. At least the two other recipients–Gerard Schwarz, music director of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, who is being recognized for Outstanding achievement, and Garfield High jazz band director Clarence Acox and leader of Roosevelt High’s jazz band Scott Brown, who are jointly receiving the Impact Award–are spot on. With Northern Departure, M.O.V., Garfield and Roosevelt High School Jazz All-Stars, Brandi Carlile Special Video Performance, Big Brass Tribute to Gerard Schwarz. PAIGE RICHMOND

Wed., Oct. 6, 7 p.m., 2010