Jazz FM Awards 2021: Winners

Sadiq Khan, Sir Michael Parkinson, Adil Ray, Nick Hornby, Danny John-Jules, Johanna Konta and many more turn out to celebrate the best in jazz, soul and blues

Author: Alastair SteelPublished 28th Oct 2021
Last updated 1st Nov 2021

Following a star-studded ceremony for the Jazz FM Awards 2021 with PPL and PRS for Music, which took place at Under the Bridge in London, we're proud to reveal the full list of winners.

Amongst the evening’s highlights were Tony Bennett performing a specially-recorded version of 'The Way You Look Tonight' from his home in New York in recognition of receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Courtney Pine CBE in attendance to collect the Gold Award, and revered UK education and artist development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors, who celebrated their 30th anniversary this year, picking up the Impact Award.

On receiving his award, Tony Bennett said “I listened to jazz musicians to develop my own vocal style. They are such expert craftsmen which allows them to be spontaneous and stay in the moment and always change what they were doing. That really appealed to me and it’s one of the reasons I have gravitated to always having jazz musicians perform and record with me over the years".

"I would like to thank all the jazz greats I have worked with over the decades for this honour and thank you to Jazz FM for celebrating this treasured art form."

Livestreamed to our online audience, the evening was hosted by UK saxophonist Soweto Kinch and Jazz FM presenter Anne Frankenstein and featured an array of star artists, guests and award-givers including Sir Michael Parkinson, who gave a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend Tony Bennett, Nick Hornby, Sadiq Khan, Adil Ray OBE, Danny John-Jules, Robert Elms and Johanna Konta.

Additional winners on the night included US pianist and singer Jon Batiste, who received both the Album Of The Year and Soul Act Of The Year awards, legendary alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, who was presented with International Jazz Act Of The Year and trailblazing multi-instrumentalist and producer Emma-Jean Thackray, who picked up UK Jazz Act Of The Year. The EFG London Jazz Festival won the Digital Award for last year’s online festival and received a message of congratulations from London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Performances came from Breakthrough Act Of The Year Jas Kayser, Vocalist Of The Year Ego Ella May and an all-star Tomorrow’s Warriors band featuring Gary Crosby OBE, Soweto Kinch, Daniel Casimir, Alex Ho, Maddy Coombs and Romarna Campbell.

Jazz FM Awards 2021 with PPL and PRS for Music: Winners

You can see the full list of winners below:

The Digital Award with Raisin UK

Kansas Smitty's

Soul Act of the Year sponsored by LouisianaTravel.com

Jon Batiste

UK Jazz Act of the Year

Emma-Jean Thackray

International Jazz Act of the Year sponsored by Travelzoo

Gary Bartz

Gold Award

Courtney Pine

Vocalist of the Year sponsored by Hampstead Jazz Club Presents

Ego Ella May

Breakthrough Act of the Year

Jas Kayser

Impact Award

Tomorrow's Warriors

Blues Act of the Year

Ruthie Foster

Instrumentalist of the Year

Daniel Casimir

Album of the Year

Jon Batiste : We Are

The Innovation Award sponsored by Mishcon de Reya

EFG London Jazz Festival

Lifetime Achievement Award

Tony Bennett

Jazz FM Awards 2021: Livestream

Jazz FM Awards 2021: Nominees

You can see the full list of nominees for the Jazz FM Awards 2021 with PPL and PRS for Music here.