Ok we got quite a few of them right... but there were a couple of surprises. Above all beyond all punditry it was an evening to celebrate UK jazz and a rousing “call to arms” given the likely cataclysmic Brexitian onslaught we all face — and a consensual murmur among the speakers and gathered throng to support the People’s Vote march this weekend. 

The winners of the convivial Parliamentary Jazz Awards, which took place in the relatively recently specially jazz fitted basement of the Pizza Express restaurant in High Holborn, central London, opposite the Rosewood Hotel, hosted by an avuncular Ross Dines of the Soho Pizza jazz club and music manager of the hugely jazz supporting chain, were:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year: Ian Shaw

Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year: Arun Ghosh 

Jazz Album of the Year: Denys Baptiste – The Late Trane

Jazz Ensemble of the Year: Alison Rayner Quartet

Jazz Newcomer of the Year: guitarist Shirley Tetteh

Jazz Venue of the Year: Jazz At The Lescar, Sheffield

Jazz Media Award: Lance Liddle for the Bebop Spoken Here website

Jazz Education Award: Jean Toussaint.

Services to Jazz Award: Jill Rodger, collected in absentia by pianist Fergus McCreadie who himself was nominated as a newcomer. 

Special award: Jazz Jamaica legend Gary Crosby

Trumpeter Henry Lowther led the silky house band members of which included ensemble of the year winner bassist Alison Rayner, guitarist Max Brittain who arranged the charts, saxophonist Fraser Smith — and powered by erstwhile Roots Manuva drummer Sophie Alloway.

Jon Newey, editor-in-chief of Jazzwise made a great speech rousing the attendees and legendary UK jazz promoter John Cumming endorsed the sentiments of all the speakers. MPs who presented included Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham and Chi Onwurah Labour MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central. Members of the audience included Moya Brennan agent Peter Conway, saxophonist Jason Yarde, singer Liane Carroll, pianist Andrea Vicari, singer Zara McFarlane who was nominated for an award, Phronesis manager Sue Edwards, and Oliver Weindling of the Vortex jazz club. 

The great jazz singer Elaine Delmar, pictured top with vocalist of the year Ian Shaw, was also a welcome presenter on the night. pic and text: marlbank