Here are the nominees for the Jazz FM Awards 2026

The nominations for the Jazz FM Awards 2026 have been announced — you can see the full list of nominees below.

This year’s ceremony, which is presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, will take place at KOKO in London on 16 April.

Celebrating ‘exceptional creativity from emerging voices and internationally acclaimed performers alike’ from across the worlds of jazz, soul and blues, the likes of Ezra Collective, RAYE and Emma-Jean Thackray are among the names to be nominated at this year’s ceremony.

The Album of the Year and UK Jazz Act of the Year categories will once again be determined by a public vote, with nominees including Fergus McCreadie, Emma Rawicz and Kokoroko.

You can see the full list of nominations for the Jazz FM Awards 2026 below.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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 

Speaking about this year’s ceremony, Nick Pitts, Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director, said: ‘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!’