Sebastian writes: 

The nominations have just been announced for the 2019 ParliamentaryJazz Awards. The awards will be made at a ceremony at Pizza Express Dean Street on Tuesday 3 December 2019. Here is a video of a good friend of LJN receiving the Jazz Media Award in 2018.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year

Claire Martin

Georgia Mancio

Cherise Adams-Burnett

Zoe Gilby

Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year

Brian Kellock

Nikki Iles

Jason Rebello

Josephine Davies

Jazz Album of the Year

Sons Of Kemet – Your Queen Is A Reptile

Adrian Cox – Profoundly Blue

Fergus McCreadie – Turas

Jean Toussaint – Brother Raymond

Jazz Ensemble of the Year

Ezra Collective

London Vocal Project

Gareth Lockrane Big Band

Jazz Newcomer of the Year

Xhosa Cole

Fergus McCreadie

Luca Manning

Jazz Venue of the Year

Marsden Jazz Festival

Bebop Club, Bristol

Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking

Verdict Jazz Club, Brighton

Jazz Media Award

Jazzwise Magazine

Kevin Le Gendre

Ian Mann – Jazzmann

Jazz Education Award

Pete Churchill

Jamil Sheriff

Nikki Iles

Services to Jazz Award

Henry Lowther

John Fordham

Dame Cleo Laine

The press release also states:

“The nominees include a broad array of jazz talent from the UK jazz scene.

“The award categories reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene: Jazz Vocalist of the Year; Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year; Jazz Album of the Year; Jazz Ensemble of the Year; Jazz Newcomer of the Year; Jazz Venue of the Year; Jazz Media Award; Jazz Education Award; and the Services to Jazz Award.

“Following the online public vote for the Awards, the shortlist was then voted upon by a selection panel, who represent a broad cross-section of backgrounds united in their passion and knowledge of jazz. The winners, chosen by judging members of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG), will be announced at the awards ceremony at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn, London on Tuesday 3 December 2019.

“Kelvin Hopkins MP, Co-Chair of APPJAG, said: “These shortlists demonstrate the wealth of talent and commitment that exists in the British jazz scene. Now in its 15th year, the Parliamentary Jazz Awards honours the best of British jazz. MPs and Peers in the All Party Group are delighted to host another ceremony at Pizza Express Live and we are extremely grateful to PizzaExpress Live for supporting the event.”

“APPJAG currently has 80 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties. Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament.  The Group’s officers as at the 24th July 2019 are Co-Chairs, Kelvin Hopkins MP and Lord Colwyn, Secretary, Baroness Coussins, Vice Chairs, Alison Thewless MP and Sarah Champion MP, the Treasurer is Ian Paisley MP. Officers are: Lord Crathorne, John Mann MP and Sir Greg Knight MP. The Secretariat is Chris Hodgkins. 

“The categories for the 2019 Awards reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene and include:

•    Jazz Album of the Year (released in 2018 by a UK band or musicians)
•    Jazz Vocalist of the Year (UK-based vocalist who impressed in 2018)
•    Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year (UK-based musician who impressed in 2018)
•    Jazz Ensemble of the Year (UK-based group who impressed in 2018)
•    Jazz Venue of the Year (including jazz clubs, venues, festivals and promoters)
•    Jazz Media Award (including broadcasters, journalists, magazines, blogs, listings and books)
•    Jazz Education Award (to an educator or project for raising the standard of jazz education in the UK)
•    Jazz Newcomer of the Year (UK-based artist, musician or group with a debut album released in 2018)
•    Services to Jazz Award (to a living person for their outstanding contribution to jazz in the UK).

“The awards have been running since 2005. APPJAG has 80 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords, across all political parties. Its aim is to encourage a wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the industry and issues surrounding it, as well as promoting jazz as a musical form, and to raise its profile both inside and outside of Parliament.”

Press release text ends

LINK: APPJAG website