2017 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards Nominations Announced

(Press release)

The nominations have today been announced for the 2017 ParliamentaryJazz Awards, Britain’s premier awards for the jazz loving public and fans of the music from both Houses of Parliament. The nominees include a broad array of jazz talent from the UK jazz scene. Supported by PizzaExpress Live and sponsored by Peroni 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 10th October. 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 13th 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 PizzaExpress Live and we are extremely grateful to PizzaExpress Live for supporting the event and for Peroni for sponsoring the event.” The full list of nominees is as follows: Jazz Vocalist of the Year Georgia Mancio Cleveland Watkiss Alice Zawadzki Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year Shabaka Hutchings Jim Mullen Tori Freestone Jazz Album of the Year Dinosaur – Together As One Shabaka Hutchings – Wisdom Of The Elders Tim Garland – One Jazz Ensemble of the Year Partikel Phronesis Binker and Moses Jazz Newcomer of the Year Corrie Dick Ezra Collective Nerija Jacob Collier Jazz Venue of the Year Watermill Jazz Club Jazz Re:Freshed PizzaExpress Live Scarborough Jazz Festival Jazz Media Award Jazzwise Kevin Le Gendre Chris Philips Jazz Education Award Tomorrow’s Warriors Jean Toussaint Andrea Vicari Services to Jazz Award Sue Edwards Henry Lowther Gary Crosby Tony Dudley-Evans 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 19th July 2017 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 Secretariate team is Chris Hodgkins and Sarah Pellew. 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.