Voting Now Open for 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

Voting is now open for the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards that, in words of the organisers “recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom”. The voting deadline is Friday 29 March at 11pm, with the winners announced at a ceremony later in the summer – date and location to be announced soon. Last year’s winners included virtuoso drummer Gary Husband (Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year), renowned singer Elaine Delmar (Jazz Vocalist of the Year) and rising star pianist Sultan Stevenson (Jazz Newcomer of the Year).

The complete list of Awards categories as follows: Jazz Album of the Year (released in 2023 by a UK band or musicians). Services to Jazz Award (to a living person for their outstanding contribution to jazz in the UK). Jazz Newcomer of the Year (UK-based artist, musician or group with a debut album released in 2023). Jazz Education Award (to an educator or project for raising the standard of jazz education in the UK). Jazz Media Award (including broadcasters, journalists, magazines, blogs, listings, photographers and books). Jazz Venue of the Year (including jazz clubs, venues, festivals and promoters). Jazz Ensemble of the Year (UK-based group who impressed in 2023). Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year (UK-based musician who impressed in 2023). Jazz Vocalist of the Year (UK-based vocalist who impressed in 2023).

The Awards are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG), which is co-chaired by John Spellar MP and Lord Mann, who said in a joint statement: "These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the talents and energies of the great musicians, educators, promoters, record labels, jazz organisations, blogs, jazz magazines and journalists who keep jazz flourishing, in spite of the challenges they faced in the last couple of years”

The APPJG currently has over 110 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 Annual General Meeting on 15 March 2023 are Co-Chairs, John Spellar MP and Lord Mann, Secretary, Sir Greg Knight MP, Vice Chairs, Alison Thewless MP, Chi Onwurah MP, Lord McNicol and Patrick Grady MP, the Treasurer is Ian Paisley MP. Officers are Lord Alton and Sarah Champion MP. The Secretary is Chris Hodgkins with the assistance of Simon Jennings and Will Riley-Smith of NorthPoint Strategy . The Secretary operates on a strictly pro bono basis and no expenses of any kind are paid to the Secretary.

CLICK HERE to cast your vote - and for more info visit appjag.org