JazzFM Awards: Absence truly and absolutely makes the heart grow fonder
We have missed the Jazz FM awards and on Thursday 24th April, they were back, marking a firm return and stating just how strong the UK jazz scene stands on the global stage. 2025 also represented a pivotal year for the North as Jazz North Northern Line artists were nominated across not one, not two but three key categories.
Massive kudos to Bryony Jarman-Pinto, in the final furlong for Vocalist of the Year and Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band for the Innovation Award but it was rising star Ni Maxine who walked away with a much-deserved Breakthrough Act of the Year. Everyone at Jazz North offers major congratulations.
“It is a very difficult time for the sector but what this evening proved is that we have a scene ready to step up and meet that challenge. ”
The night saw genuinely great performances from the likes of Jamie Cullum, Corto.Alto and the immensely talented Alice Zawadzk. The litany of names wheeled out to present awards included Damien Lewis, Yolanda Brown and Danny John Jules all of whom reflected the esteem in which the sector is held.The Jazz FM awards were really,*really* strong with artists on show at the top of their game. It is a very difficult time for the sector but what this evening proved is that we have a scene ready to step up and meet that challenge. This year is going to be exciting.