The names for the 2019 Jazz FM Awards were revealed at a special nominees’ announcement ceremony on 12 February, with the wide range of artists selected reflecting a year which saw a significant resurgence for the music from its grassroots to the mainstream. Alongside the emerging names, jazz giants Wayne Shorter (above centre), Charles Lloyd and the late great John Coltrane (for his posthumously released best-selling Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album) also received nominations.
The resurgent British jazz scene, which has been making waves in the US and Europe, is reflected with nods to the likes of Sons of Kemet (above left), Nubya Garcia, Emma Jean-Thackray, Camilla George, Joe Armon-Jones, Moses Boyd and Sarah Tandy (above right), while live events such as Jazz Re:fest (Brighton edition) and The Cookers at Church of Sound, are also recognised.
The innovative use of social media platforms and digital technology was also highlighted, with nominations for extrovert LA drummer Louis Cole and tech-savvy UK sticksman Moses Boyd. Also featured across several categories were highly respected UK-based musicians Orphy Robinson, Ian Shaw and Jean Toussaint, as well as cutting-edge US artists such as trumpeter Jaimie Branch and drummer Makaya McCraven. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Shoreditch Town Hall on 30 April.
Public voting is open now at www.jazzfmawards.com and will close on Monday 12 March 2019
The full list of nominees is as follows:
Breakthrough Act
Cassie Kinoshi
Emma-Jean Thackary
Sarah Tandy
The Digital Award with Oanda
Blue Lab Beats
Louis Cole
Moses Boyd – 1Xtra Residency
The Innovation Award with Mishcon de Reya
Orphy Robinson – Freedom Sessions at Vortex
Steam Down
Tomorrow’s Warriors
Instrumentalist of the Year
Camilla George
Jean Toussaint
Rob Luft
International Jazz Act of the Year with Lateralize
Jamie Branch
Makaya McCraven
Wayne Shorter
Soul Act of the Year
José James
Leon Bridges
Poppy Ajudha
Blues Act of the Year
Eric Bibb
Errol Linton
Roosevelt Collier
Vocalist of the Year
Cherise Adams-Burnett
Ian Shaw
Judi Jackson
UK Jazz Act of the Year (Public Vote) with Cambridge Audio
Jason Yarde
Joe Armon-Jones
Nubya Garcia
Album of the Year (Public Vote) with Arqiva
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels and Lucinda Williams – Vanished Gardens
Jean Toussaint Allstar 6Tet – Brother Raymond
John Coltrane – Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album
Sons of Kemet – Your Queen Is A Reptile
Various Artists – We Out Here
Wayne Shorter – Emanon
Live Experience of the Year (Public Vote)
Jason Moran: The Harlem Hellfighters – Tour
Jazz Re:Fest 2018: Brighton Edition
Makaya McCraven and Nubya Garcia – EFG London Jazz Festival
Orphy Robinson presents Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks – Tour
Steam Down featuring Kamasi Washington
The Cookers – Church of Sound
– Mike Flynn
