Attendees were in awe as Alice Zawadzki’s voice soared into the air of Camden’s KOKO during the first live performance at the 2025 Jazz FM Awards with PRS and PPL. Joined by Fred Thomas on piano and Misha Mullov-Abbado on double bass, Zawadzki sang with certainty, embellishing her experimental melodies with folk-like ornaments reminiscent of a Scandinavian herding call.
The Jazz FM Awards returned after a three-year hiatus, celebrating new and acclaimed jazz, blues, and soul artists worldwide. There was a strong sense of community, as artists and presenters praised and celebrated diversity and innovation in the global jazz scenes.
During her acceptance speech, New York saxophonist, Lakecia Benjamin set a beautiful tone for the evening. Winning International Jazz Act of the Year, the artist commended the other nominees in the category, humbly noting that she is looking forward to hearing the work all of them are doing this year. This sense of pride in today’s jazz scene—and artists honouring their contemporaries—continued throughout the ceremony.
Glaswegian multi-instrumentalist corto.alto (Liam Shortall) won two awards: The UK Jazz Act of The Year and The Innovation Award. Joined on stage by his two band members—Mateusz Sobieski on tenor and Graham Costello on drums—the trio’s performance shifted between solo trombone lines and a groove-led electronic sound. The Collaboration Award was given to Women in Jazz while Album of The Year was awarded to Ezra Collective, who commended music teachers and youth clubs for inspiring budding jazz musicians and striving for change.
One of the many stand-out performances came from Jamie Cullum, who began his performance of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ acapella at the front of the stage before taking his stance at the grand piano. The acclaimed artist won the Impact Award, presented by Omar, for his contributions to music through broadcasting. Humorously, he changed the lyrics at the end, noting that the critically acclaimed vocalist, Omar was still standing on stage watching his vocal performance. Melodically, he uttered: “This is a nightmare…A living nightmare”.
Mark Kavuma was given Instrumentalist of The Year, and Ni Maxine was Breakthrough Act of The Year. Soul Act of the Year went to Jalen Ngonda and Blues Act of the Year to Shemekia Copeland.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Billy Cobham, who stated: “It’s been a long, long journey – almost 60 years – and so I’m deeply honoured that I have been recognised in any way, shape or form for my contributions to the musical fabric of the jazz community”.
Melody Gardot was recognised for her achievements, winning Jazz FM’s Gold Award. On receipt of the award, she said: “We, as musicians, are the only people working with the invisible. It’s intangible… and yet we feel connected through this medium that we cannot really touch. It reminds us all that we’re not alone, that someone else, somewhere has felt what we feel, thought what we thought and is connected in spirit in this journey that we call life, such a wonderful medium.”
One Response
“….. embellishing her experimental melodies with folk-like ornaments reminiscent of a Scandinavian herding call…..”
They should have got Lewis Balfour to introduce the show. Nice!