Recipients Announced For 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards
The recipients of the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards were announced on Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 8pm.
The Parliamentary Jazz Awards are organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) and supported by music licensing company PPL. The Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom.
The award categories reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene: Jazz Vocalist of the Year; Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year; Jazz Album of the Year; Jazz Ensemble of the Year; Jazz Newcomer of the Year; Jazz Venue of the Year; Jazz Media Award; Jazz Education Award and the Services to Jazz Award.
Chi Onwurah MP Chair of APPJG, said: “These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the talents and energies of the great musicians, educators, promoters, record labels, jazz organisations, blogs, jazz magazines and journalists who have kept jazz flourishing. These recipients demonstrate the wealth of talent and commitment that exists in the British jazz scene. Now in their 19th year, the Parliamentary Jazz Awards honour the best of British jazz. MPs and Peers in the All-Party Group is grateful to PPL music licensing company for supporting the event.
Lord Mann Co-Chair of APPJG: “This has been another really strong year for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in terms of talent and nominations. The well-deserved recipients are a veritable who’s who of names that have made a real impact on the music and helped make the UK one of the world’s leading jazz territories”.
Peter Leathem OBE, Chief Executive Officer of PPL said: “PPL is delighted to support the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The recipients reflect both the phenomenal jazz talent we have here in the UK and the community built around them in the nations and regions. Congratulations to the winners and all those nominated on their success to date.
The Awards were introduced and presented by: Lord Mann and Chi Onwurah MP, Issie Barratt, Jo White MP, Yvette Griffith OBE, Steve Crocker, Orphy Robinson MBE, Peter Leathem OBE, Jane Cornwell, Jon Newey. MC Chris Hodgkins.
The band were: Andrea Vicari (piano), Alison Rayner (bass), Tori Freestone (sax), Henry Lowther (trumpet) and Noah Ojumu (drums)
The full list of recipients is as follows:
Jazz Vocalist of the Year
Emma Smith
Emma Smith’s star is on the ascendant. With diverse and extensive experience performing everywhere from the 02 Arena to the leading jazz clubs of New York City, collaborating and recording with the likes of Michael Bublé, Robbie Williams, Georgie Fame and Seal along the way, Emma Smith has created a formidable reputation as a powerful and expressive artist in UK jazz.
Emma Smith’s many accolades to date includes the widespread success of her long established vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters, as well as a stint as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, not to mention a range of awards and compliments from organisations and critics alike, including winning the prestigious ‘Worshipful Company Of Musicians Medal. Now with the release of the new album and a series of live dates throughout the UK
https://www.emmasmithmusic.co.uk/
Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
Emma Rawicz
Jamie Cullum calls British saxophonist Emma Rawicz “an astonishing talent”,
Despite her young age of 22, she has already achieved an enormous amount: at 19 Rawicz independently released her critically acclaimed debut album, “Incantation” and singlehandedly managed an extensive UK release tour, including headline appearances at prestigious venues including the Jazz Cafe and Ronnie Scott’s. Since then, her international career has flourished, playing in over 15 countries.
Rawicz’s achievements have been recognised: she is a recipient of Newcomer Parliamentary Jazz Award, finalist at the Jazz FM Awards and the BBC Young Jazz Musician Competition. The Royal Academy of Music recently awarded Rawicz the Musician’s Company Silver Medal for excellence and contribution to the institution, an award not previously given to a jazz student.
Rawicz has already had the privilege of working in important roles with some high-profile festivals and established ensembles: in 2023 she was the Cambridge Jazz Festival’s Artist in Residence. In addition to this, she has featured as a soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth Hall in the 2022 London Jazz Festival, and with the German SWR Radio Big Band at a sold-out Berlin Philharmonie in February 2024.
In 2024 and beyond, the future already promises to be exciting for Rawicz, as she heads into the studio twice more to record new music with previously unrecorded ensembles. 2024 will also see Rawicz graduate from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and throw herself into a busy touring and recording schedule as her career continues to develop.
Jazz Album of the Year
Zoe Rahman “The Colour Of Sound”
Gathering together an eight-piece band of outstanding musicians, Zoe Rahman has created The Colour Of Sound: the most ambitious, many-hued, uplifting large-ensemble music of her multi-award winning career.
Her choice of collaborators reflects her deep engagement with the diversity of contemporary Britain. Starting with the foundational rhythm team of explosive US native Gene Calderazzo on drums and long-time scene stalwart Alec Dankworth on bass, she’s built up a frontline of players from across the generations of current UK players. Trumpeter Alex Ridout and trombonist Rosie Turton represent the new wave of young empowered female players: flautist Rowland Sutherland and Zoe’s brother Idris Rahman on saxes and clarinet are joined by guest trumpeter Byron Wallen to bring their wealth of diverse musical heritage, their gravitas as long-time scene leaders, and their undimming passion and commitment to the project. The music paints on a wide canvas in vibrant colours.
Colour Of Sound combines Zoe’s unique and powerful writing with thrilling arrangements and dynamic performances from the whole band to create an album of jazz at its highest level that still communicates its message directly to the listener. It’s a splash of colour and a bold statement beautifully realised that is Zoe Rahman’s most compelling work to date.
https://zoerahman.bandcamp.com/album/colour-of-sound
Jazz Ensemble of the Year
Alina Bzhezhinska’s HipHarpCollective
Fresh off a blazing trail of festival and concert Gigs, Alina and the HipHarpCollective continue their momentum through the UK Jazz scene.
Downbeat magazine has recently hailed Alina as one of the acts redefining the European Jazz scene, her unique approach to the harp and her compositions are captivating in the studio but take on a whole new level when experienced live.
Reflections follows up her critically-acclaimed debut album Inspiration. Alina Bzhezhinska collaborates with British jazz stars Tony Kofi (saxophones), Jay Phelps (trumpet), Julie Walkington (double bass) and vocalist Vimala Rowe, strongly supported by international talents Mikele Montolli (electric bass), Joel Prime (percussion), Adam Teixeira (drums) and Ying Xue (violin & viola).
https://www.hipharpcollective.com/
Jazz Newcomer of the Year
Ife Ogunjobi
Ife Ogunjobi is a London raised musician born to Nigerian parents whose music is an amalgamation of the sounds around his upbringing. Growing up in South East London, his surroundings have enriched his music with various genres such as Jazz, Afrobeat and Hip-hop. His musical concept removes the barriers between the different genres of music and portrays his authentic sound.
Ife’s debut EP “Stay True” released September 14th 2023 Blending Fuji and Afrobeats influences from his Nigerian heritage with Jazz and Hip Hop elements that influenced his London upbringing.
A vital contributor to the London scene, Ife is one fifth of the band Ezra Collective who won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album “Where I’m Meant to Be”. As well as touring and recording with Ezra Collective he has also performed at sold out stadiums like “Madison Square Garden” with the likes of Wizkid and Burna Boy.
Ife has gained recognition through his sold-out headline show at London Omeara as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. As well as this he has also had packed festival appearances at Love Supreme and We Out Here 2022 and was curated by award winning DJ, Giles Peterson for Appleton Rum’s Jazz Sessions.
Jazz Venue of the Year
The Verdict Brighton
The Verdict in Brighton is celebrating its 12th Anniversary. Nominated APPJA Jazz Venue of the Year 2022/23/24.
The Verdict is a multi award winning grass roots music venue, the only full time Jazz venue outside of London in the south of England, it has been named as one of the 10 top jazz clubs in Europe by The Guardian. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
Jazz Media Award
Gilles Peterson MBE
Gilles Peterson is a broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner. He founded the influential labels Acid Jazz and Talkin’ Loud, and started his current label Brownswood Recordings in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE in 2004, the AIM Award for Indie Champion and the Mixmag Award for Outstanding Contribution To Dance Music in 2013, the PRS for Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio in 2014, and The A&R Award from the Music Producers Guild in 2019.
Throughout his career, Peterson has played a pivotal role in promoting genres such as jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music. He started his career on pirate radio stations Radio Invicta and K-Jazz, later joining legal stations in London, first the newly founded Jazz FM, and then onto the dance music station Kiss FM. In 1998, he was hired by BBC Radio 1, and in 2012 he began hosting a three-hour Saturday afternoon programme on BBC Radio 6 Music. He hosts a syndicated radio programme that is broadcast in seven European countries.
In 2016, he launched the online radio station Worldwide FM with Boiler Room co-founder and original host Thristian Richards. He also hosts mixes and new music on his SoundCloud page, where he has over three million followers. He is behind several events celebrating the music that he supports through his DJ sets and radio shows. Since 2005, he has hosted the annual Worldwide Awards in London and Worldwide Festival in Sète. In 2019, launched the new We Out Here festival in the UK.
https://www.gillespetersonworldwide.com/
Jazz Education Award
Nikki Yeoh
Nikki is a jazz composer, pianist and educator recognised as one of the most ground-breaking contemporary jazz composers of her generation. She is mentor for Music for Youth and presented Music for Youth’s Jazz Evening as well as BBC’s Young Jazz Musician of the year. Her new composition ‘Nucleus’, commissioned by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra was premiered in 2022.Nucleus, which is dedicated to trumpet player & educator, Ian Carr, who was a major influence in Yeoh’s musical upbringing, as well as a major force in progressive UK jazz fronting the jazz-rock band of the same name.
Nikki Yeoh joined Guildhall School’s Music Education Islington team to develop jazz and improvised music provision for Islington children and young people. As a teacher and educator, Nikki teaches piano at The Camden School for Girls and Portland Place School, runs jazz ensembles for Camden Music and is a mentor for Music for Youth. She was also the Musical Director for the finalists of the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020.
Nikki Yeoh Guildhall School of Music
Services to Jazz Award
George Nelson – Moment’s Notice
George Nelson has built his regular Moment’s Notice events into one of the most sought-after tickets on the London jazz scene. With the launch of his new label Red Dust, listeners across the country will be able to hear the concerts for themselves.
Moment’s Notice showcases five leading lights in the art of spontaneous composition. Each episode consists of one duo and one trio playing a fully-improvised, 40-minute sets. The evening culminates with a co Moment’s Notice showcases five leading lights in the art of spontaneous composition. Each episode consists of one duo and one trio playing fully-improvised, 40-minute sets. The evening culminates with a combo quintet set. Line-ups are curated by the event creator, George Nelson. Every episode takes place Amp Studios, Old Kent Road.
https://www.georgenelsonphotography.com/momentsnotice
Special APPJG Awards
Anita Wardell
Born in Guildford, UK, Anita moved to Australia with her family as a child.
After attending secondary school she completed her degree in Music at the Adelaide University. In 1990, Anita relocated back to the UK where she studied at the Guildhall school of music and drama.
Anita’s recording career began in 1995 with her CD, Why do you Cry? featuring pianist Liam Noble.
In 1998 she released Straight Ahead with international star pianist Jason Rebello.
Her longstanding musical relationship with pianist Robin Aspland started with the release of Until The Stars Fade in.
In 2004 she teamed up with tenor saxophonist, Benn Clatworthy, and recorded If You Never Come to Me.
Anita received the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best of Jazz category in 2006. In the same year she was signed to Proper Records and recorded Noted (2006) and Kinda Blue (2008).
Her latest album, The Road, was released in summer 2013. In the same year she won the Best Vocalist category in the British Jazz Awards
As you might have heard, earlier this year Annita had a stroke. I’m making good progress and am currently in rehab.
Paula Gardiner
Paula Gardiner is best known for her work as jazz bassist and composer, based in Wales. Paula has just retired as Head of Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama after 22 years
However, her professional career began as a classical guitarist and composer for theatre. She has written extensively for theatre, radio and film. Paula calls herself ‘The Accidental Bassist’, as a number of coincidences found her playing firstly electric bass in an afro-Cuban band, and then double bass for Cardiff’s central jazz club, The Four Bars Inn, providing the rhythm section for a host of visiting international artists.
She has recorded for several Welsh language artists including Sian James, Bryn Fôn and Iwcs a Doyle.
During the nineties and noughties, Paula founded several bands including the Paula Gardiner Quartet (featuring John Parricelli), 6, The Paula Gardiner Trio and the anarchic big band that was Wales’s Jazz Composers (featuring Huw Warren). She has worked internationally, taking her own music to the US and composing/conducting a major project in Wales and South Africa for the cultural Olympiad, 2012.
Paula has had a close association with the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition, most recently acting as mentor and bass accompanist for the televised final. She is an active member of the Ivors Academy Jazz Committee.
https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/our-stories/celebrating-head-of-jazz-paula-gardiner
Ends
29th October 2024
Notes to editors
The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) currently has over 73 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties. Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament. The Group’s officers as at the Inaugural Meeting on 23rd July 2024 are the Chair, Chi Onwurah MP and Deputy Chair, Lord Mann. The Officers are Jo White MP and Lord Crathorne.
The Secretary is Chris Hodgkins with the assistance of Simon Jennings, Will Riley-Smith of NorthPoint Strategy and Andrew Lansley. The Secretary operates on a strictly pro bono basis and no expenses of any kind are paid to the Secretariate. The contact address is: admin@appjag.org
For further details of the Group including recent minutes and please see: https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/apg/
All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group. This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees.
About PPL
PPL is the UK music industry’s collective management organisation (CMO) for performers and recording rightsholders, founded in 1934. We license recorded music in the UK when it is played in public (bars, nightclubs, shops, offices, etc.) or broadcast (BBC, commercial radio, commercial TV, etc.) and we work to ensure that revenue flows back to both our own members and those of our international CMO partners. Our members include both independent and major record companies, together with performers ranging from emerging grassroots artists through to established session musicians and globally renowned artists.
In 2023, PPL’s revenue was £283.5 million, the highest in the organisation’s 90-year history, and we paid close to 165,000 performers and recording rightsholders. PPL’s public performance licensing is carried out on our behalf by PPL PRS Ltd, the joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music. Through a network of agreements with CMOs around the world, we also collect performance rights royalties internationally when music is played overseas in public and used on TV, radio and some online streaming services, as well as for private copying. International royalties are an increasinglyimportant revenue stream for performers and recording rightsholders.
All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group 