Jazz FM Awards 2026 Nominations
Jazz FM announce their nominations for this years Jazz FM Awards. This year they will once again take place in Camden, at the legendary KOKO in North West London on April 16th. With so many incredible acts to choose from, this year will be like no other.
The nominees for this year’s Jazz FM Awards, presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, have just been announced, once again spotlighting a vibrant cross-section of artists shaping the sound of jazz, soul and blues across the globe.
Returning to KOKO in London on Thursday April 16th, the Awards will celebrate exceptional creativity from emerging voices and internationally acclaimed performers alike. This year’s nominees include UK jazz innovators Ezra Collective, star British singer-songwriter Raye, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples, multi-award-winning US vocalist Samara Joy, chart-topping producer, composer and trumpeter Emma-Jean Thackray, British soul star Omar, visionary multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings, boundary-pushing French-Haitian vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the genre-blending collective Snarky Puppy.
The coveted Album Of The Year and UK Jazz Act Of The Year categories will once again be determined by a public vote, with nominees including Ambrose Akinmusire, Fergus McCreadie, Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell, Tyreek McDole, Emma Rawicz, Kokoroko and Tom Skinner.
The recipients of the evening’s prestigious special awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
Nick Pitts, Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director:
“The nominees for 2026 perfectly capture the breadth of today’s thriving jazz landscape. In the last year, jazz as an artform has really broken ground and not only continued to innovate in its own creative universe but has also heavily influenced the mainstream music world with the likes of Ezra Collective and RAYE. It’s brilliant that our esteemed judging panel have recognised their talents alongside some of the new and established jazz artists who are making a massive impact across the community. Good luck to them all!”
Since its inception in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards has become one of the most prestigious events in the jazz calendar, paying tribute to emerging acts alongside some of music’s most legendary figures, including Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Pat Metheny, The Rolling Stones, Jools Holland, Georgie Fame,and Ahmad Jamal, as well as honouring contemporary stars of the genre including Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, Melody Gardot and Robert Glasper.
Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music - Nominees
Breakthrough Act of the Year
Donovan Haffner
Earth-o-Naut
Poppy Daniels
International Jazz Act of the Year
Linda May Han Oh
Nate Smith
Samara Joy
Blues Act of the Year
Alice Armstrong
Gary Clark Jr.
Mavis Staples
Soul Act of the Year
Sponsored by: Oanda
Omar
RAYE
Young Gun Silver Fox
Instrumentalist of the Year
Joe Webb
Laura Jurd
Shabaka
Vocalist of the Year
Brigitte Beraha
Marvin Muoneké
Yazmin Lacey
The Innovation Award
Sponsored by: Mishcon de Reya
Emma-Jean Thackray
Ezra Collective
Theon Cross
The Collaboration Award
Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars - Calima
Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - SOMNI
The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival
Album of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE
Ambrose Akinmusire - honey from a winter stone
Cecile McLorin Salvant – Oh Snap
Emma-Jean Thackray - Weirdo
Fergus McCreadie - The Shieling
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025!
Tyreek McDole - Open Up Your Senses
UK Jazz Act of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE
Emma Rawicz
Kokoroko
Tom Skinner