Chaka Khan, Ezra Collective and Sir Van Morrison were among the major winners at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 earlier tonight – Thursday 16th April at London’s KOKO.
Sir Van was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Jools Holland, recognising his extraordinary contribution to music across more than six decades.
The Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement Award honours artists whose careers have made a lasting impact on the world of jazz and its wider musical landscape. Previous recipients include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny and Ahmad Jamal.
Global icon Chaka Khan received the Impact Award, presented by Sarah Jane Morris, while Mercury Prize-winning London collective Ezra Collective were presented with a brand-new award for Outstanding Contribution to UK Jazz, by Courtney Pine.
Other winners included Donovan Haffner (Breakthrough Act of the Year), Samara Joy (International Jazz Act of the Year), Mavis Staples (Blues Act of the Year), Omar (Soul Act of the Year), Joe Webb (Instrumentalist of the Year), Yazmin Lacey (Vocalist of the Year), Emma-Jean Thackray (Innovation Award), Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars – Calima (Collaboration Award), Fergus McCreadie for The Shieling (Album of the Year), and Emma Rawicz (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 Rumer, Lemar, Katie Melua, Martin Freeman, Kenny Thomas, Jordan Rakei and Alex Horne.
The evening also celebrated one of the most influential labels in the history of jazz, with Verve Records receiving the Gold Award during its 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’s history.
Introduced by author Nick Hornby, the presentation included a congratulatory video message from 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. Sir Van Morrison delivered a special performance of “Snatch It Back and Hold It” backed by the Van Morrison Alumni Band, while British soul legend Omar, visionary multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray, and acclaimed vocalist Yazmin Lacey also performed on the night.
Since its inception in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards has become one of the most prestigious events in the jazz calendar, paying tribute to emerging acts alongside some of music’s most legendary figures.
Past winners include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Pat Metheny, The Rolling Stones, Jools Holland, Georgie Fame, and Ahmad Jamal, as well as honouring contemporary stars of the genre including Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, Melody Gardot and Robert Glasper.
The 2026 awards are sponsored by PPL and PRS for Music.
Categories & Nominees – Winners highlighted in blue
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 – PUBLIC VOTE
Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone
Cécile 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 – PUBLIC VOTE
Emma Rawicz
Kokoroko
Tom Skinner
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sir Van Morrison
The Impact Award
Chaka Khan
Outstanding Contribution To UK Jazz
Ezra Collective
The Gold Award
Verve Records
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