An array of international stars came together for the Jazz FM Awards, which took place on Tuesday 27 October via livestream from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho. Presented by Marcus Brigstocke, the ceremony celebrated the breadth and diversity of the thriving global scene and saw awards presented to Philip Bailey, Charles Lloyd, Binker Golding, Jazz Re:freshed and Vortex Jazz Club.
There were surprise performances from double winner trumpeter Yazz Ahmed and vocalist of the year Judi Jackson plus breakthrough saxophonist Xhosa Cole.
The evening’s high profile special awards went to superstar pianist and educator Herbie Hancock – who celebrated turning 80 this year by picking up The PPL Lifetime Achievement Award, multi-platinum-selling US singer Norah Jones was presented with The Impact Award and the distinguished vibraphonist Orphy Robinson MBE was in shock as he won The Gold Award.
A host of stars turned out to present awards – including the likes of Jamie Cullum, Hugh Laurie, YolanDa Brown, Robert Glasper, Clarke Peters, Alexander O’Neal, Kandace Springs and Tom Misch.
Nick Pitts, Content Director Jazz FM:
“That we were able to put an event like this together in such tumultuous times is a reflection of the excellent work of our team at Bauer but it also displays the strength and resilience of the jazz community as a whole and hopefully provides a much-needed boost to everyone who works within it. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here and congratulations to all of the worthy winners.”
WATCH the Jazz FM Awards 2020 with OANDA here.
Jazz FM Awards 2020 with OANDA – WINNERS and NOMINEES
PPL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Herbie Hancock
Impact Award
Norah Jones
Gold Award
Orphy Robinson MBE
BREAKTHROUGH ACT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cambridge Audio
Xhosa Cole – Winner
Yelfris Valdés
Rosie Turton
SOUL ACT OF THE YEAR
Philip Bailey – Winner
Anderson .Paak
Celeste
THE DIGITAL AWARD sponsored by Oanda
Chiminyo – Winner
Jacob Collier
Jazz re:freshed
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Binker Golding – Winner
Mark Kavuma
Shirley Tetteh
BLUES ACT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Blue Orchid Hotels
Jon Cleary – Winner
Keb’ Mo’
Gary Clark Jr.
THE INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Mishcon de Reya
Jazz re:freshed – Winner
Moses Boyd
Sarathy Korwar
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Judi Jackson – Winner
Alice Zawadzki
Georgia Cécile
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ ACT OF THE YEAR
Charles Lloyd – Winner
Branford Marsalis
Kris Davis
PRS For Music UK JAZZ ACT OF THE YEAR (PUBLIC VOTE)
Sponsored by PRS For Music
Yazz Ahmed – Winner
Joe Armon-Jones
SEED Ensemble
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (PUBLIC VOTE)
Sponsored by Arqiva
Yazz Ahmed – Polyhymnia – Winner
Ashley Henry – Beautiful Vinyl Hunter
SEED Ensemble – Driftglass
Jazzmeia Horn – Love & Liberation
Binker Golding – Abstractions of Reality Past and Incredible Feathers
Branford Marsalis Quartet – The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul
VENUE OF THE YEAR (PUBLIC VOTE)
Vortex Jazz Club – Winner
Church of Sound
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
Love Supreme Festival
The Verdict
Band on the Wall, Manchester