Well, prizes aren’t everything and certainly quality tops all the kudos going. But it must be galling for Empirical not to have got recognition as the Mercury token jazz act or in the shortlist at the MOBOs.

Their new album Connection clearly marked a huge return to form this year, and the bar was already set high, as anyone who saw them at their Old Street station residency back in the late winter will know.

Hearing them several times over the course of the residency it struck me how they just seemed so at ease and were playing as one, their rapport and sheer musicality putting them in a different league to many of the younger bands out there snapping at their heels, and their writing is better than ever, an alchemy of bop and beyond that communicates on several levels.

Maybe there should be an award for best band not to gain an award this year! But seriously catch them if you can at these upcoming gigs and you won't be disappointed.

Lewis Wright, left, Tom Farmer, Nat Facey and Shaney Forbes of Empirical above at Old Street