Preparations for the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards, now recognised as the premier awards for the jazz community, include two afternoon meetings in PPL’s Boardroom, during which a shortlist of potential award winners are selected from the nominees chosen by the jazz fraternity and general public.
The first meeting considers the categories for Musician of the Year, Ensemble of the Year, Venue of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Broadcaster of the Year, Publication of the Year, the Jazz Education Award (presented to an individual for their contribution to jazz in education) and the prestigious ‘Services to Jazz Award.’ The second meeting, which I was delighted to attend this year, considers the nominations for Jazz CD of the Year, namely noted recordings released during the previous year by a band or solo artist.
Supervised by Chris Hodgkins and Fiona Haycock, the panel consists of a cross-section from the jazz world, including musicians, vocalists, journalists, broadcasters and respected tastemakers. The event itself is organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, a group that consists of over a hundred members drawn from across the UK political parties and is supported by Jazz Services, Jazz UK, Jazzwise, the Musicians’ Union and PPL.
The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 10 May on the Terrace at the House of Commons and this year will be hosted by John Newey.
