The Parliamentary Jazz Awards in the United Kingdom are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) at the Houses of Parliament in London. The group consists of over a hundred members drawn from across the UK political parties. The awards were the brainchild Bob Blizzard (Waveney MP), a long-time enthusiast of the jazz genre who was concerned that there was a lack of national recognition for the work of jazz performers and venues across the UK. Blizzard was involved with organising and running the awards for 11 years. Also supporting the awards are Jazz Services, Jazz UK, Jazzwise,[1] the UK Musicians' Union jazz section, and PPL.[2]
There are nine categories:[3][4]
- Jazz Musician of the Year
- Jazz Ensemble of the Year
- Jazz Venue of the Year
- Jazz Journalist of the Year
- Jazz CD of the Year (released during the previous year by a band or musician)
- Jazz Broadcaster of the Year
- Jazz Publication of the Year
- Jazz Education Award (for a person who has contributed to jazz in education)
- Services to Jazz Award
In 2009, a special award was presented to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the well-known London club that year.[3]
- ^ Jazz breaking news: Voting Now Open For 2010 All Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Jazzwise, 20 January 2010.
- ^ Voting now open for Sixth Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2010, PPL, UK, 18 January 2010.
- ^ a b Parliamentary Jazz Awards Winners Are Announced, Jazzwise, 21 May 2009.
- ^ "Parliamentary Awards : Winners ...and winners on the night", London Jazz News, 20 May 2009.