Van Morrison, Chaka Khan and Ezra Collective Among Winners at Jazz FM Awards 2026

Global stars from across jazz, soul and blues gather at KOKO in London for one of the leading nights in the international jazz calendar

Guests and presenters include Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland, Courtney Pine, Martin Freeman, Katie Melua, Rumer, Lemar, Nick Hornby, Alex Horne, Kenny Thomas, Jordan Rakei

Performances on the night from Van Morrison, Omar, Emma-Jean Thackray and Yazmin Lacey

Sir Van Morrison, Chaka Khan and Ezra Collective were among the major winners at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music on Thursday night, as leading figures from across jazz, soul and blues gathered at KOKO in London for one of the leading events in the international jazz calendar. Hosted by聽Doc Brown, the ceremony celebrated artists shaping the future of jazz alongside the icons whose influence continues to define the genre.

Legendary singer-songwriter聽Sir Van Morrison聽was honoured with the聽Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by聽Jools Holland, recognising his extraordinary contribution to music across more than six decades. Global icon聽Chaka Khan聽received the聽Impact Award, presented by聽Sarah Jane Morris, while Mercury Prize-winning London collective聽Ezra Collective聽were presented with a brand-new award for聽Outstanding Contribution to UK Jazz聽by聽Courtney Pine.

Van Morrison: 鈥淛azz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. I鈥檝e been fortunate to spend my life doing what I believe in, and it鈥檚 an honour to receive this recognition from Jazz FM.鈥�

Other winners on the night included聽Donovan Haffner聽(Breakthrough Act of the Year),聽Samara Joy聽(International Jazz Act of the Year),聽Mavis Staples聽(Blues Act of the Year),聽翱尘补谤听(Soul Act of the Year),聽Joe Webb聽(Instrumentalist of the Year),聽Yazmin Lacey聽(Vocalist of the Year),聽Emma-Jean Thackray聽(Innovation Award),聽Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars 鈥� Calima聽(Collaboration Award),聽Fergus McCreadie for The Shieling聽(Album of the Year), 补苍诲听Emma Rawicz聽(UK Jazz Act of the Year).

The ceremony attracted a host of high-profile guests from across music, film and broadcasting, with awards presented throughout the evening by figures including聽Rumer, Lemar, Katie Melua, Martin Freeman, Kenny Thomas, Jordan Rakei聽补苍诲听Alex Horne.

The evening also celebrated one of the most influential labels in the history of jazz, with聽Verve Records聽receiving the聽Gold Award聽during its聽70th anniversary year. Founded in 1956, Verve has released landmark recordings by many of the greatest names in jazz and remains one of the most iconic labels in the genre鈥檚 history. Introduced by author聽Nick Hornby, the presentation included a congratulatory video message from聽聽Jamie Cullum, and the award was collected on the night by UK Verve representative and Fontana Records President Tom Lewis.

The ceremony also featured a series of standout live performances celebrating the breadth of contemporary jazz and soul.聽Sir Van Morrison聽delivered a special performance of 鈥淪natch It Back and Hold It鈥� backed by the Van Morrison Alumni Band, while British soul legend聽Omar,聽visionary multi-instrumentalist聽Emma-Jean Thackray, and acclaimed vocalist聽Yazmin Lacey聽also performed on the night.

Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e created something really special with the Jazz FM Awards, and there was a real sense of excitement and warmth in the room tonight. This year鈥檚 winners reflect the creativity and energy that continue to make jazz one of the most vibrant forms of music in the world.聽Add to that, a stellar list of people who wanted to be part of the evening either as award givers or performers like Sir Van and Omar, the Jazz FM Awards has earnt its place at the top of the global jazz scene.鈥�

Since its inception in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards have become one of the leading events in the international jazz calendar, celebrating artists across jazz, soul and blues while recognising both emerging talent and globally established icons shaping the future of the genre.

The Jazz FM Awards are supported by PPL, PRS for Music, Mishcon de Reya, OANDA, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Cash For Kids, and proud partners include KOKO, Ottolenghi, Yamaha UK and Bauer Media Audio UK.

Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music 鈥� Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sir Van Morrison

Presented by Jools Holland

Gold Award

Verve Records

Presented by Nick Hornby

Impact Award

Chaka Khan

Presented by Sarah Jane Morris

Outstanding Contribution to UK Jazz

Ezra Collective

Presented by Courtney Pine

Breakthrough Act of the Year

Donovan Haffner

Presented by Ego Ella May

International Jazz Act of the Year

Sponsored by: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

Samara Joy

Presented by Rumer

Blues Act of the Year

Mavis Staples

Presented by Kenny Thomas

Soul Act of the Year

国产熟女深夜福利

17 April 2026