Global stars from across jazz, soul and blues gather at KOKO in London for one of the leading nights in the international jazz calendar

Guests and presenters include Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland, Courtney Pine, Martin Freeman, Katie Melua, Rumer, Lemar, Nick Hornby, Alex Horne, Kenny Thomas, Jordan Rakei

Performances on the night from Van Morrison, Omar, Emma-Jean Thackray and Yazmin Lacey

Sir Van Morrison, Chaka Khan and Ezra Collective were among the major winners at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music on Thursday night, as leading figures from across jazz, soul and blues gathered at KOKO in London for one of the leading events in the international jazz calendar. Hosted by Doc Brown, the ceremony celebrated artists shaping the future of jazz alongside the icons whose influence continues to define the genre.

Legendary singer-songwriter Sir Van Morrison was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Jools Holland, recognising his extraordinary contribution to music across more than six decades. 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.

Van Morrison: “Jazz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. I’ve been fortunate to spend my life doing what I believe in, and it’s an honour to receive this recognition from Jazz FM.”

Other winners on the night 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.

Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical, said: “We’ve created something really special with the Jazz FM Awards, and there was a real sense of excitement and warmth in the room tonight. This year’s winners reflect the creativity and energy that continue to make jazz one of the most vibrant forms of music in the world. Add to that, a stellar list of people who wanted to be part of the evening either as award givers or performers like Sir Van and Omar, the Jazz FM Awards has earnt its place at the top of the global jazz scene.”

Since its inception in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards have become one of the leading events in the international jazz calendar, celebrating artists across jazz, soul and blues while recognising both emerging talent and globally established icons shaping the future of the genre.

The Jazz FM Awards are supported by PPL, PRS for Music, Mishcon de Reya, OANDA, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Cash For Kids, and proud partners include KOKO, Ottolenghi, Yamaha UK and Bauer Media Audio UK.

Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music — Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sir Van Morrison

Presented by Jools Holland

Gold Award

Verve Records

Presented by Nick Hornby

Impact Award

Chaka Khan

Presented by Sarah Jane Morris

Outstanding Contribution to UK Jazz

Ezra Collective

Presented by Courtney Pine

Breakthrough Act of the Year

Donovan Haffner

Presented by Ego Ella May

International Jazz Act of the Year

Sponsored by: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

Samara Joy

Presented by Rumer

Blues Act of the Year

Mavis Staples

Presented by Kenny Thomas

Soul Act of the Year

Sponsored by: OANDA

Omar

Presented by Lemar

Instrumentalist of the Year

Joe Webb

Presented by Jay Phelps and Benji Akintuyosi

Vocalist of the Year

Yazmin Lacey

Presented by Jordan Rakei

The Innovation Award

Sponsored by: Mishcon de Reya

Emma-Jean Thackray

Presented by Alex Horne & The Horne Section

The Collaboration Award

Sponsored by: Cash For Kids

Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars – Calima

Presented by Marcus Brigstocke

Album of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE

Fergus McCreadie — The Shieling

Presented by Katie Melua

UK Jazz Act of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE

Emma Rawicz

Presented by Martin Freeman