Best Instrumentalist Award sponsored by ESP Music Rentals

Laura Macdonald at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2021

Media release
Thursday 9 December 2021

SCOTTISH JAZZ TALENT HONOURED AT ANNUAL AWARDS
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The exceptional talent within Scotland’s burgeoning jazz scene was celebrated last night at the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards.

Winners across seven categories, including Best Vocalist, Best Band and Rising Star, were honoured at Glasgow venue The Savings Bank as the event applauded stand out musical endeavours.

More than 2,000 public votes were cast for the nominees, while the Services To Scottish Jazz and Lifetime Achievement Awards were selected by a panel of industry specialists, including press and promoters from across the UK.

Winners of the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards are:

Best Vocalist Award sponsored by Whighams Jazz Club
Marianne McGregor

Best Instrumentalist Award sponsored by ESP Music Rentals
Laura Macdonald

Rising Star Award sponsored by Musicians’ Union
Rachel Duns

Best Band Award sponsored by Inhouse Event Productions
Rose Room

Best Album Award sponsored by Birnam CD
Georgia Cecile, Only the Lover Sings

Services to Scottish Jazz Award
Lindsay Robertson, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO)

Lifetime Achievement Award in association with Help Musicians Scotland
Richard Michael

It’s been an exciting year for the Scottish jazz community. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 2019’s Rising Star winner and this year’s Best Vocalist Marianne McGregor released her self-penned debut album Good Morning Warning, followed by a second release Standards covering her favourite jazz tracks

Best Instrumentalist winner, saxophonist and teacher Laura Macdonald had an equally busy year playing concerts and jazz festivals across the country while also competing in BBC’s MasterChef, making it to the final four in the popular cookery competition.
Glasgow saxophonist Rachel Duns has gained experience playing jazz as a member of various youth ba