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The annual campaign and ceremony has been held in October since 2020 and this move sees it return to springtime during “awards season”

PPL and PRS for Music return as the headline sponsor

The campaign will once again culminate in a star-studded Central London ceremony.

Jazz FM has announced that the globally revered annual Jazz FM Awards campaign that celebrates the greatest jazz, soul and blues musicians of today will return in spring 2024, following a hiatus in 2023, with the most recent ceremony having taken place late October 2022.

The Awards, which was launched in 2013 has seen high profile winners across the years from new comers such as Lady Blackbird, Mica Miller, Ezra Collective and Laura Mvula alongside established artists like Gregory Porter, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Dame Cleo Laine, Courtney Pine and the Rolling Stones.

Nick Pitts, Jazz FM and Scala Radio’s Content Director and Jazz FM Awards Director explained:

“When launched in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards, like all other ceremonies of worth, took place in ‘Awards Season’ towards the start of the year, looking back at the previous calendar year. Due to the pandemic and the lockdown-delayed ceremony of 2020, the Jazz FM Awards has since found itself taking place in the autumn reflecting a mid-year to mid-year release and activity period. The knock-on effect of this was a confusing narrative while celebrated artists were unable to maximise on their nominations and wins in their summer tours and concerts. With this change, we can revert to something that allows artists to really maximise on their celebration.”

The industry bodies PPL and PRS for Music will also return as joint headline sponsors of the new look campaign. This is the fourth time that they have been headline sponsor, although have both been involved as sponsors since the Awards’ inception.

Nick Pitts added: “I’m incredibly pleased that our friends at PPL and PRS for Music will continue to support the Jazz FM Awards at such a high level. They are integral partners of the Jazz FM Awards and we are proud that they wish to retain their involvement of our annual celebration.”

Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL said:

“The Jazz FM Awards are a vital platform for celebrating this diverse genre, and PPL is delighted to return as co-headline sponsors in 2024 alongside PRS for Music. Just last week previous Jazz FM Award winners (and PPL Momentum funded) Ezra Collective were the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize – a testament to the thriving scene which the Jazz FM Awards shine a light on.”

Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, added:

“Our continued commitment to Jazz FM as joint headline sponsors with PPL reflects our dedication to championing the exceptional talents within our membership from across the jazz, soul, and blues communities. The Jazz FM Awards celebrate creativity, artistry, and culture. We look forward to the ceremony which is always a truly special night and inspiring.”

When the Jazz FM Awards returns in spring 2024, it will for this year reflect music from May 2022 until December 2023 so that the hiatus does not miss anyone out who is deserving of an award. It will once again be held at a central London venue featuring live performances and surprises following a 2-month campaign on Jazz FM that celebrates the nominees in the run up to the ceremony.