APPJG Awards 2023 - July 4

Somewhere along the way the APPJAG Awards (All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group) became the APPJG Awards (dropping the 'A' for 'Appreciation' from the acronym). What hasn't changed is the format, calendar date and venue for the British jazz scene's annual shindig.

Approaching the Pizza Express on High Holborn the heavens opened, the expression 'cats and dogs' sprung to mind. Descending the staircase to the invitation-only event, who should be the first person, make that people, your correspondent should see? None other than Jo Harrop and Paul Edis! A hug from one, a handshake with the other (work it out for yourself), wishing them good luck, it was time to partake of the hospitality...drinks and pizza. Someone has to do it...

The 'house band' for the evening comprised several of the musicians engaged for last year's event - Henry Lowther (trumpet); Tori Freestone (tenor sax); Andrea Vicari (piano); Alison Rayner (double bass) and drummer Cheryl Alleyne. No doubt on MU rates, the quintet's choice set list met with muted applause, not, one should hasten to add due to a cloth-eared audience, after all, the room was chock-full with jazz musicians and a few other lesser types, more to do with many of those present networking and catching up with friends and colleagues. As the band took a break, Mr Henry Lowther sat chatting amiably to your correspondent (see photo).

In due course newspaper columnist and sometime jazz pianist Jay Rayner opened the envelope to reveal the first of this year's winners. The Jazz Vocalist of the Year category comprised four names - Emma Smith, Jo Harrop, Georgia Cécile and Elaine Delmar. The 2023 AAPJG Vocalist of the Year...Elaine Delmar! Gracefully accepting her award, Ms Delmar wasn't one to make a speech. 

Four musicians made the final cut for the Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year - Alcyona Mick (piano), Art Themen and Camilla George (reeds) and Gary Husband (drums and keyboards). Gary Crosby opened the envelope...Gary Husband!

Jazz Album of the Year would be awarded to one of three nominees - Ubunye for Ubunye, Trish Clowes for the wittily titled A View with a Room and Jo Harrop and Paul Edis for When Winter Turns to Spring. At this juncture your correspondent should declare an interest. Having heard Jo Harrop and Paul Edis perform across the north of England on countless occasions, and, indeed, here in London, it was a case of fingers crossed. The great Ian Shaw opened the envelope and read out the winners' names...Jo Harrop and Paul Edis! The room erupted, your correspondent saying/shouting something along the lines of: Get in! Jo and Paul addressed the audience, both spoke so well, thanking those who played their part in helping them achieve this notable success (including lyricist Kate Edis and our duo's record label Lateralize). 

Jazz FM's Nigel Williams took to the stage to announce the winner in the Jazz Newcomer of the Year category. Three emerging musicians were in the frame: Sultan Stevenson, Amy Gadiaga and Hannah Horton (Horton was nominated in two categories, the other being Jazz Education). The winner, pianist Sultan Stevenson.

The award of Jazz Venue of the Year would be bestowed upon one of three venues from one of three countries. The Verdict in Brighton the most southerly nominee, Magy's Farm way out west in Dromara, County Down, Northern Ireland, and, way up north, in the Granite City, Jazz at the Blue Lamp, Aberdeen. The Globe, Newcastle picked up the award last year, the identity of this year's winning venue would be revealed by Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for the constituency of Newcastle upon Tyne Central. And the winner...Jazz at the Blue Lamp, Aberdeen.

Jane Cornwell, last year's recipient of the Jazz Media Award, took to the stage to hand on the baton to the 2023 award-winner. This year's three contenders: author and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise magazine and Birmingham-based Jazz Rag magazine. APPJG's Chris Hodgkin accepted the award on behalf of...The Jazz Rag! 

Nick Smart (Head of Jazz, Royal Academy of Music) opened the envelope marked Jazz Education Award. Three contenders: Tomorrow's Warriors; Hannah Horton (J Steps. Saffron Centre for Young Musicians, Saffron Walden); Karen Gourlay (Head of Leeds Junior Conservatoire). The winner...Hannah Horton (J Steps. Saffron Centre for Young Musicians, Saffron Walden).

Jazz Photographer Award. The Pizza Express' Joe Paice did the honours. One of three nominees would take home the silverware (actually a certificate): Monika S. Jakubowska; William Ellis; Tatiana Gorilovsky. The winner...Monika S. Jakubowska. 

The award-winning Elaine Delmar returned to the stage to present the Services to Jazz Award to one of three contenders: Janine Irons (Jazz Warriors); Danielle White; Tony Haynes and the Grand Union Orchestra. Janine Irons!

The title of Jazz Ensemble of the Year would be bestowed upon one of three contenders: Ubunye; the Alex Hitchcock-Ant Law Quartet; Julian Siegel Big Band. Taking to the stage en masse to accept the award...Ubunye*.

To close the evening's formal presentations, an additional award would be made. Chi Onwurah and Chris Hodgkins shared the stage to present a Special APPJG Award to Tony Haynes and the Grand Union Orchestra. Accepting the honour, Mr Haynes spoke at length about the history of the Grand Union Orchestra and its activities in the current less than favourable political climate. There were few present, if any, who didn't share his wide-ranging thoughts. 

We went out where we came in with the A-list house band playing for fun and for anyone caring to listen.      

* The newly-crowned Jazz Ensemble of the Year, Ubunye will be in concert this evening (Thursday 6 July) at Cobalt Studios in Newcastle. Russell