One welcome aspect of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards (APPJG, link to full story below) is that those behind the scenes are also recognised and rewarded.
Enjoying a rare moment in the limelight this year was Karen Pearson, Founder and CEO of Folded Wing, whose show for BBC Radio 3, ‘Round Midnight, presented by Soweto Kinch, won the award in the jazz media category.
Speaking before the announcement that the show had won, Karen had this to say:
“To be nominated for ‘Round Midnight in its first year of programming is testament to the hard work the Folded Wing team and Soweto put in each night.
“Thank you to the listeners, the jazz world for embracing and supporting the show and BBC Radio 3 and Sam Jackson for believing in us.
“It was our dream to produce a daily jazz show on the BBC, and we are loving every minute of it and never take for granted the responsibility we have to represent the vibrant jazz scene all across the UK.”
‘Round Midnight launched in 2024 is BBC Radio 3’s flagship late-night weekday jazz show, featuring live sessions, curated playlists, and festival recordings. It presents a wide selection of jazz from different eras and around the world, with a particular focus on the vibrant new UK jazz scene.
The show works closely with BBC Introducing to foster the next generation of UK jazz talent. Aspiring musicians are encouraged to submit their tracks to Soweto via the BBC Introducing uploader.
Speaking at the Awards evening on Wednesday evening, Sam Jackson, Controller, BBC Radio 3 & BBC Proms, said:
“Last year, we welcomed Folded Wing to the BBC Radio 3 family for the first time, when they successfully pitched to make our new nightly jazz show, ‘Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch.
“Under the leadership of the brilliant Karen Pearson (who also masterminds shows for Jamie Cullum and Romesh Ranganathan over on Radio 2), ‘Round Midnight has gone from strength to strength. And tonight, in front of a packed room of jazz-loving parliamentarians and the UK jazz scene the team picked up the Media Award.
“It’s a richly deserved reflection of their hard work, creativity, and commitment to the vibrant British jazz scene.”
Based in Southend, Essex, with teams also in London, Coventry, Oxford and Newcastle, Karen Pearson and Folded Wing are passionate about making a difference, collaborating with artists, creators, producers and musicians to develop new opportunities in the creative space. They reach global audiences with award-winning podcasts, documentaries and globally syndicated radio shows, but are equally dedicated to working in the local community: Karen Pearson is an advisor to both The Jazz Centre (UK), Southend-based, and the Southend Jazz Festival, which has just had a successful 2025 edition – and Folded Wing is an official partner of the Southend Jazz Festival
The Southend connection continues with two talented artists who performed at the recent Southend Jazz Festival, in association with Folded Wing, also being nominated at APPJG: in the jazz newcomer of the year category was saxophonist Maddy Coombs (Tomorrow’s Warriors) while trumpeter/composer Olivia Cuttill won The Martin Hummel Award.
Karen Pearson observed:
“This recognition highlights Southend’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class jazz, building on the town’s rich musical heritage from the 1950s and ‘60s.”
One Response
Thank you Michael Chousmer for your comment and being so eagle-eyed – we have adjusted the text. Evie Hill recommended Olivia Cuttill prominently and whole-heartedly in her monthly choice of five gigs taking place in September.