Music legends among winners at Jazz FM Awards 2026

Northern Irish singer Sir Van Morrison and US funk star Chaka Khan were among the winners at the Jazz FM Awards 2026.

Former Them frontman Sir Van, 80, was given the lifetime achievement award by Later… presenter Jools Holland, recognising his six decades in music, while Khan, 73, picked up the impact award, at the ceremony at London’s Koko venue on Thursday, hosted by Doc Brown.

British jazz band Ezra Collective won the new outstanding contribution to UK jazz award, while veteran soul singer Mavis Staples won blues act of the year, and singer Samara Joy won international jazz act of the year.

Nick Pitts, content director of Jazz FM, said: “We’ve created something really special with the Jazz FM Awards, and there was a real sense of excitement and warmth in the room tonight.

“This year’s winners reflect the creativity and energy that continue to make jazz one of the most vibrant forms of music in the world.

“Add to that a stellar list of people who wanted to be part of the evening either as award givers or performers like Sir Van and Omar, the Jazz FM Awards has earned its place at the top of the global jazz scene.”

Other winners on the night included Donovan Haffner, who won breakthrough act of the year, Omar, who won soul act of the year, Joe Webb, who was given instrumentalist of the year, Yazmin Lacey, who won vocalist of the year, and Emma-Jean Thackray, who picked up the innovation award.

Fergus McCreadie also won album of the year for The Shieling, and Emma Rawicz won UK jazz act of the year.

The evening also saw one of the most influential labels in jazz, Verve Records, receive the gold award during its 70th anniversary year, with the presentation including a congratulatory video message from singer and pianist Jamie Cullum.

The ceremony also featured live performances from Sir Van, who performed Snatch It Back and Hold It backed by the Van Morrison Alumni Band, British soul singer Omar, multi-instrumentalist Thackray, and acclaimed vocalist Lacey also performed on the night.

The Jazz FM awards have been running since 2013, and aim to celebrate artists across jazz, soul and blues while recognising both emerging and established artists in the genres.