UK Jazz News

Jazz FM Awards 2025 – three Special Awards

Billy Cobham, Jamie Cullum, Melody Gardot recognised

L-R Billy Cobham, Jamie Cullum, Melody Gardot. Photo credits Ralf Dombrowski (BC), Danny North (JC), John Watson/Jazzcamera(MG)

Ahead of the Jazz FM Awards ceremony next Thursday 24 April at Koko in Camden, the organisers have announced all three of the special or non-competitive awards, recognising “individuals who have not only shaped jazz history but continue to inspire new generations of musicians and audiences.”

The Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement Award, announced today, is awarded to Billy Cobham

The Jazz FM Impact Award, sponsored by Raymond Weil Genève goes to Jamie Cullum 

The Jazz FM Gold Award goes to Melody Gardot

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Full list of nominees – Jazz FM Awards 2025 with PPL and PRS for Music

UK Jazz Act of the Year Sponsored by: Rathbones
corto.alto
Ezra Collective
Nubya Garcia

Album of the Year Sponsored by: Rayo
Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas, Misha Mullov-Abbado – Za Górami
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Nubya Garcia – Odyssey
Samara Joy – Portrait
Shabaka – Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace

Breakthrough Act of the Year -Sponsored by: Arts Council England
Mama Terra
Ni Maxine
Sultan Stevenson

International Jazz Act of the Year – Sponsored by: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
Lakecia Benjamin
Meshell Ndegeocello
Samara Joy

Vocalist of the Year – Sponsored by: Sounds from Spain by ICEX
Alice Zawadzki
Bryony Jarman-Pinto
Lucy-Anne Daniels

Instrumentalist of the Year Sponsored by: Yamaha UK
corto.alto
Emma Rawicz
Mark Kavuma

Soul Act of the Year Sponsored by: Oanda
Allysha Joy
Jalen Ngonda
Michael Kiwanuka

Blues Act of the Year
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Shemekia Copeland
Toby Lee

The Innovation Award Sponsored by: Mishcon de Reya
corto.alto
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band
Orii

The Collaboration Award – (NEW FOR 2025) Sponsored by: Cash For Kids
Queer Jazz
Take Five by Serious
Women in Jazz

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One Response

  1. Not too impressed with the award to Billy Cobham. Maybe for 1970’s jazz rock, yes, but not for the finer sensibilities of acoustc jazz without massive kits, over-loud playing and flashy, dominant licks that thrill the ‘drum nerd community’.

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