Jazz FM Awards 2022: Breakthrough Act of the Year

We're spotlighting our 'Breakthrough Act of the Year' nominees for the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music

(Left to Right) Chelsea Carmichael, Jasmine Myra, and Mica Millar - Breakthrough Act of the Year nominees
Author: Alastair SteelPublished 6th Oct 2022
Last updated 6th Oct 2022

Ahead of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music, which takes place on the 20th of October 2022, we wanted to shine a light on each of our nominees.

Here, we're taking a look at our 'Breakthrough Act of the Year' nominees: Chelsea Carmichael, Jasmine Myra, and Mica Millar.

Who is Chelsea Carmichael?

Chelsea Carmichael - Breakthrough Act of the Year nominee

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Chelsea Carmichael is an understated innovator and educator, quietly adding her own contribution to the iteration of jazz that has evolved on these islands. She’s a warm and hypnotic player, who brings subtle and considered improvisation to everything she does.

Chelsea grew up in Warrington with her parents, who were both dancers on the Northern jazz and funk scene, dipping into her dad’s record collection and absorbing the musical culture of the Jamaican side of her family.

She’s already been part of a Mercury-nominated band – she played on SEED Ensemble’s 2019 Driftglass – and currently plays with Theon Cross, the Neue Grafik Ensemble and the hyper-popular Outlook Orchestra, as well as writing for her own Chelsea Carmichael Ensemble.

Chelsea Carmichael is currently signed to Native Rebel - led and created by the multi-Jazz FM Award-winning Shabaka Hutchings in 2021.

Who is Jasmine Myra?

Jasmine Myra - Breakthrough Act of the Year nominee

Jasmine Myra is a Leeds-based saxophonist, composer and band leader.

Her original instrumental music has a euphoric and uplifting sound, influenced by artists as diverse as Kenny Wheeler, Bonobo and Olafur Arnalds and like Mammal Hands and Hania Rani her music has a special, emotive quality that draws the listener into her world.

Myra came-up through the bustling, creative Leeds music scene and her music draws on the sense of community that permeates life in the city and which is notable for a strong DIY ethos in its musical community

Trumpeter, composer, and label creator Matthew Halsall first heard Myra’s music in 2019 shortly before the pandemic hit, signing her to Gondwana Records and producing her beautiful debut album, Horizons.

Who is Mica Millar?

Mica Millar - Breakthrough Act of the Year nominee

Born and raised in Manchester, Mica Millar grew up in a musical family exploring songwriting from as early as eight years old and independently released her first, self-penned and produced solo singles ‘My Lover’, ‘Not The First’ and ‘The Defender’ in 2017 and 2018.

Self-written, arranged and produced and independently released on Mica Millar’s record label Golden Hour Music, Mica's debut album, Heaven Knows, explores themes of human nature, spirituality, love, oppression, inequality and empowerment, drawing inspiration from a plethora of vintage soundscapes, most notably, soul, blues, gospel and jazz.

How can I find out the winners of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music?

The winners of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music will be announced on the 20th of October 2022, with the ceremony taking place at Shoreditch Town Hall.

The winners will be revealed on our social media channels, and in a special show, which will be broadcast from 2200-0000 on the 20th of October.

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