Just a day after Parliament reconvened following the election, members of the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group gathered tonight in the Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons to attend the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards the group organises in association with music industry body PPL.

Jazzwise won publication of the year and gig guide editor Mike Flynn jazz journalist of the year in the awards hosted by broadcaster Paul Gambaccini.

The ensemble of the year award went to the Nigel Price Organ Trio while jazz CD winner was the Gareth Lockrane Septet’s No Messin'.

Jazz venue of the year went to Edinburgh’s The Jazz Bar while Alyn Shipton picked up the jazz broadcaster of the year award after having been nominated last year.

The jazz educator award went to Kathy Dyson, while octogenarian writer and jazz campaigner Brian Blain won the coveted Services to Jazz award. Musician of the year went to Polar Bear's Mark Lockheart.

Lord Colwyn of the All Party Jazz Appreciation group told the audience, which was later entertained by the Phil Robson group, that he was confident that reform was imminent for the UK’s licensing law which discriminates against live music in small venues, while Services to Jazz winner Brian Blain made an impassioned plea for more jazz on the BBC, a campaign currently being fought by jazz support group Jazz Services.

Stephen Graham