The Winner of the Musicians’ Company Tina May Young Jazz Musician of the Year Competition 2024, held at Pizza Express Dean Street last night, was pianist Nico Widdowson, originally from Leeds.
The other Finalists were:
Kieland Sheard bass
Matt Holmes drums
Helena Kay tenor sax and flute
Flo Redmonds tenor sax
Donovan Haffner alto sax.
Nigel Tully describes the group – who, according to the format meet just a couple of hours before the concert to decide on the repetoire – as “an exceptionally strong group with no weak points and tremendous communication on and off stage.”
A highlight of the gig was “Angela Scott” by the winner, dedicated to his rapacious landlord. And a great last number was Steve Swallow’s “Ladies in Mercedes” dedicated by Helena Kay to the memory of Tina May.
Previous Winners
2023 Emile Hinton piano
2022 Fergus Quill bass
2021 Daniel Higham trombone
2020 No Award
2019 Sahra Gure
2018 James Davison
2017 Will Barry
2016 Daniel Casimir
2015 Adam King
2014 Moses Boyd
2013 Emma Smith
2012 Laura Jurd
2011 Lewis Wright
2010 Nathaniel Facey
2009 Shane Forbes
2008 Zem Audu
2007 Michael Janisch
2006 Jim Hart
2005 John Escreet
2004 Troy Miller
2003 Ben Hazleton
2002 Leon Greening
2001 Colin Oxley
2000 Tom Cawley
1999 Steve Brown
1998 Jim Watson
1997 Tim Garland
1996 Mark Nightingale
1994 Andy Panayi
1992 Tina May
