Jazz FM Awards 2026 nominees set the jazz world ablaze with a powerhouse lineup that blends timeless legends and boundary-breaking innovators. Samara Joy emerges as a frontrunner in International Jazz Act, joined by Ezra Collective jazz trailblazers who continue their meteoric rise after Mercury Prize triumphs and global festival dominance. Mavis Staples brings her soul-steeped blues legacy, while Raye crosses genre lines from pop stardom into Soul Act contention. The ceremony makes its eagerly anticipated return to London's iconic KOKO venue on Thursday, April 16, fortified by partnerships with PPL and PRS for Music. This event captures jazz's explosive moment—where traditional harmonies fuse with electronic pulses, hip-hop rhythms, and world music flavors, influencing charts from London to New York. Public voting returns for Album of the Year and UK Jazz Act, giving fans direct power over crowning moments amid a slate that spans over a dozen categories.
Top Nominees Across Key Categories
Samara Joy anchors International Jazz Act of the Year with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Nate Smith, all pushing global jazz boundaries. Ezra Collective jazz ensemble grabs The Innovation Award alongside Emma-Jean Thackray's bold experiments and Theon Cross's tuba mastery.
Blues Act of the Year:
- Mavis Staples
- Alice Armstrong
- Gary Clark Jr.
Soul Act of the Year:
- Raye
- Omar
- Young Gun Silver Fox
Public vote categories add excitement:
Album of the Year:
- 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:
- Emma Rawicz
- Kokoroko
- Tom Skinner
RadioToday breaks down the full nominee buzz.
Ceremony Legacy and KOKO Return
Since launching in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards have bridged legends like Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, and George Benson with contemporary forces such as Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, and Robert Glasper. The KOKO venue revival on April 16 promises an electric night, complete with special awards revealed in the weeks ahead.
More category contenders:
Breakthrough Act:
- Donovan Haffner
- Earth-o-Naut
- Poppy Daniels
Instrumentalist of the Year:
- Joe Webb
- Laura Jurd
- Shabaka
Vocalist of the Year:
- Brigitte Beraha
- Marvin Muoneké
- Yazmin Lacey
Jazz FM content director Nick Pitts hails the lineup as a true mirror of jazz's thriving moment.
Standout Collaborations and Innovations
Collaboration Award celebrates:
- Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars - "Calima"
- Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - "Somni"
- The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival
These picks underscore jazz's collaborative heartbeat. Music Week unpacks the entire category rundown.
Jazz FM Awards 2026 Voting and Must-See Moments
Public voting launches any moment for Album and UK Jazz Act showdowns—monitor Jazz FM's site and social channels for official links and deadlines. The April 16 KOKO extravaganza promises unforgettable sets from Samara Joy nominees, explosive Ezra Collective jazz showcases, and cross-genre fireworks that affirm jazz's role as music's most vital force. Expect red carpet glamour, surprise duets, and conversations that preview the genre's next chapter, drawing thousands live and online. This isn't just awards season—it's jazz claiming its place at culture's forefront, with every vote and performance fueling the momentum.
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