The Parliamentary Jazz Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity,
talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom.
The Musicians’
Union are sponsoring the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2026 and in
particular a new award to celebrate the work of Music Hubs and Schools Music
Services. This new award is being organised by the All Party
Parliamentary Jazz Group with financial assistance from
the Musicians’ Union and
the help and support of SoundStorm and Music Mark The
Awards, are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) with
further support from the Royal Society of
Musicians and UK Music.
The Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2026 will be held on Tuesday 13th October 2026 at the World Heart Beat in Nine Elms in London
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union said:
“We are especially pleased to see the introduction of a new award recognising the vital work of Music Hubs. These organisations play a crucial role in nurturing young talent, widening access, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage with music. It is fantastic to see this contribution formally acknowledged at a national level.”
“We congratulate this year’s shortlisted hubs — Devon Music Education Hub, Hampshire Music Education Hub, Lewisham Music, and Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust”
Dan Somogyi, head of SoundStorm Music Education Agency, co-lead of the South Coast Music Partnership (music hub), musician with Thokozile Collective and jazz programmer at Lighthouse, Poole, stated:
“Music Mark is delighted to be supporting the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. It is wonderful to see the breadth of talent, creativity and dedication being celebrated across the UK jazz community, and to read about the great work taking place across the country. We wish all of this year’s nominees the best of luck!" - Chris Buglass, Director of Membership & Operations at Music Mark
"This new award is a great opportunity to celebrate the talents and energies of the great the Music Hubs and Schools Music Services”, said Lord Mann, Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Co-chairs of APPJG.
The nominees are:
Devon Music Education Hub is committed to developing jazz education and nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. Through a county-wide programme of workshops, performance opportunities, and progression pathways, the Hub enables young people to discover, explore, and excel in jazz. At the heart of this work is the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra, which has provided advanced ensemble training, public performance opportunities, and engagement with professional jazz artists for over fifty years. Recent highlights include performances at the Music For Youth Proms and Vienne International Jazz Festival.
Hampshire Music Education Hub delivers high-quality jazz education across the county while maintaining exceptional standards at advanced level. Through the Hampshire County Youth Jazz Centre, area ensembles and school partnerships, more than 110 young musicians benefit directly each year, alongside wider outreach activity. The programme offers specialist tuition, performance opportunities, professional artist partnerships and clear progression pathways. Young people work with leading jazz musicians, access opportunities such as the National Youth Jazz Collective, and regularly progress to junior conservatoires and higher education. Activities such as our Primary Prom introduced over 1,400 pupils to jazz last year, helping to sustain and inspire an inclusive jazz ecosystem that nurtures young musicians, develops future audiences, and creates the next generation of jazz advocates
Lewisham Music has worked for decades to inspire and support young people to discover jazz and feel better connected with the vibrant jazz scene in Lewisham. In recent years, this work has been galvanised by a flagship jazz programme ‘Jazz Hang’, delivered in partnership with Trinity Laban and Tomorrow’s Warriors, which since 2023 has connected over 250 young instrumental players (aged10-16) with high-quality learning and performance opportunities led by leading jazz educators from both partners. More broadly, the programme has supported jazz development in a range of Lewisham schools. Beyond Jazz Hang, Lewisham Music delivers five regular jazz ensembles, and has also developed projects with National Youth Jazz Collective, and South London Jazz Orchestra.
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust - are delighted to be shortlisted for the Music Hubs and Schools Music Services Award at the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
They are passionate about enabling young people to make music, develop their creativity and progress through high-quality jazz pathways. Their bespoke Jazz Matters programme and tiered Big Bands provide expert technical development, performance experience and clear routes towards further study, professional training and careers in the music industry.
This nomination recognition celebrates the talent and commitment of our young musicians and the dedication of the colleagues who support them.
30th September 2026
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