The Musician’s Company announces the Winner of the Tina May Young Jazz Musician Award, 2024

The Musicians’ Company today (17 September) announced the 2024 winner of its Young Jazz Musician Award – Nico Widdowson (piano). The competition nominations for the final were made by many of the UK’s leading jazz musicians, music conservatoires and universities and the Company’s Jazz Committee selected six of the most outstanding young artists to perform during Sunday’s final at the Pizza Express Soho Jazz Club.

With the help of the audience’s vote, the winner was selected for this prestigious award at the end of the evening and the Master of The Musicians Company Richard Lyttelton presented Nico with the prestigious bronze winner’s medal. The winner also receives £1,000 and a further £600 for the chance to perform with their band as part of the Company’s jazz programme during the coming year.

The award was renamed in memory of the late Tina May, one of the UK’s most acclaimed jazz vocalists, who passed away in 2022 and who was the very first winner of the Young Jazz Musician back in 1992.

The other finalists were: Kieland Sheard – bass; Matt Holmes – drums; Helena Kay – tenor sax and flute; Flo Redmonds – tenor sax; and Donovan Haffner – alto sax.