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Ezra Collective, Raye, Mavis Staples, Samara Joy, Emma-Jean Thackray, Omar, Shabaka Hutchings, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Snarky Puppy Among Nominees For 
Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music.

The nominees for this year’s Jazz FM Awards, presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, have been announced today, once again spotlighting a vibrant cross-section of artists shaping the sound of jazz, soul and blues across the globe. 

Returning to KOKO in London on Thursday April 16th, the Awards will celebrate exceptional creativity from emerging voices and internationally acclaimed performers alike. This year’s nominees include UK jazz innovators Ezra Collective, star British singer-songwriter Raye, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples, multi-award-winning US vocalist Samara Joy, chart-topping producer, composer and trumpeter Emma-Jean Thackray, British soul star Omar, visionary multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings, boundary-pushing French-Haitian vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the genre-blending collective Snarky Puppy.

The coveted Album Of The Year and UK Jazz Act Of The Year categories will once again be determined by a public vote, with nominees including Ambrose Akinmusire, Fergus McCreadie, Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell, Tyreek McDole, Emma Rawicz, Kokoroko and Tom Skinner.

The recipients of the evening’s prestigious special awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

Nick Pitts, Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director: “The nominees for 2026 perfectly capture the breadth of today’s thriving jazz landscape. In the last year, jazz as an artform has really broken ground and not only continued to innovate in its own creative universe but has also heavily influenced the mainstream music world with the likes of Ezra Collective and RAYE. It’s brilliant that our esteemed judging panel have recognised their talents alongside some of the new and established jazz artists who are making a massive impact across the community. Good luck to them all!”

Since its inception in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards has become one of the most prestigious events in the jazz calendar, paying tribute to emerging acts alongside some of music’s most legendary figures, including Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Pat Metheny, The Rolling Stones, Jools Holland, Georgie Fame, and Ahmad Jamal, as well as honouring contemporary stars of the genre including Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, Melody Gardot and Robert Glasper.

Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music – Nominees 

BREAKTHROUGH ACT OF THE YEAR

Donovan Haffner 
Earth-o-Naut 
Poppy Daniels 

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ ACT OF THE YEAR 

Linda May Han Oh 
Nate Smith 
Samara Joy 

BLUES ACT OF THE YEAR

Alice Armstrong 
Gary Clark Jr. 
Mavis Staples 

SOUL ACT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Oanda

Omar 
RAYE 
Young Gun Silver Fox 

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR 

Joe Webb 
Laura Jurd 
Shabaka 

VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Brigitte Beraha 
Marvin Muoneké 
Yazmin Lacey 

THE INNOVATION AWARD
Sponsored by Mishcon de Reya

Emma-Jean Thackray 
Ezra Collective 
Theon Cross 

THE COLLABORATION AWARD

Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars – Calima 
Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest – SOMNI 
The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR – PUBLIC VOTE

Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone 
Cecile McLorin Salvant – Oh Snap 
Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo 
Fergus McCreadie – The Sheiling 
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025! 
Tyreek McDole – Open Up Your Senses 

UK JAZZ ACT OF THE YEAR – PUBLIC VOTE 

Emma Rawicz 
Kokoroko 
Tom Skinner