Piano great Ahmad Jamal brought the inaugural Jazz FM Awards to an exultant close last night at the grade one listed former church One Marylebone in central London with a brief set featuring ‘Blue Moon’, on which he was joined by singer Jamie Cullum who added his distinctive vocals to the standard. Jamal had been presented with a lifetime achievement award at the awards and performed with his band of Reginald Veal on bass, Herlin Riley, drums, and Manolo Badrena, percussion. The intention of the Jazz FM Awards, sponsored by US audio firm Klipsch, the organisers said ahead of the event, was to “recognise and commend those who have made exceptional contributions to the jazz industry during the preceding twelve months.” The chief executive of Jazz FM Richard Wheatly spoke at the beginning of the event, held in front of an invited dining audience seated at large round tables. Hosted wittily by singer Ian Shaw, a house trio with pianist Ross Stanley, bassist Mick Hutton and drummer Chris Higginbottom, performed in the early part of the evening.

And the winners were: UK Jazz artist of the year (public vote) Neil Cowley Trio; Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jazz Ramsey Lewis; International Jazz Artist of the Year Kurt Elling; UK Instrumentalist of the Year Nathaniel Facey; UK Live Shows of the Year Gregory Porter; UK Vocalist of the Year Carleen Anderson; Cutting Edge Award for Jazz Innovation Robert Glasper; Best Jazz Media Jazzwise; Best UK Jazz Venue Ronnie Scott’s; Best UK Newcomer Beats & Pieces Big Band; Album of the Year Saltash Bells by John Surman; and Lifetime Achievement Award Ahmad Jamal. Performers on the night included the London Youth Gospel Choir during the reception, Cerys Matthews, Ramsey Lewis, Carleen Anderson singing her trademark gospel tinged version of ‘Don’t Look Back in anger’, Ian Shaw, Nathaniel Facey, and of course, Ahmad Jamal. Presenters of the awards included Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew and David Freeman, Courtney Pine CBE, Jamie Cullum, and Suggs.
Stephen Graham