15.10.2025: UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl paid tribute to the talent and diversity of the UK jazz scene at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
The winners of the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards were announced on Tuesday October 14 at a ceremony held at World Heart Beat in Vauxhall, south London.
The Awards are organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) and supported by UK Music and the Musicians’ Union.
Designed to reflect the full range of talent from the UK’s jazz scene, this year’s categories included Jazz Vocalist of the Year; Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year; Jazz Album of the Year; Jazz Ensemble of the Year; Jazz Newcomer of the Year; Jazz Venue of the Year; Jazz Media Award; Jazz Education Award; and the Services to Jazz Award.
A special award was given this year in commemoration of the life and work of Martin Hummel, CEO of Ubuntu Music, who passed away in January of this year.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl, who presented the Jazz Media Award on the night, said: “The Parliamentary Jazz Awards, now in their 20th year, have demonstrated that Jazz in the UK continues to punch above its weight on the world stage and every year has produced a crop of recipients and nominees that demonstrate the talent and diversity of jazz in the UK.”
Dame Chi Onwurah, Chair of APPJG, said: “These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the talents and energies of the great musicians, educators, promoters, record labels, jazz organisations, blogs, jazz magazines and journalists who have kept jazz flourishing.
“These recipients demonstrate the wealth of talent and commitment that exists in the British jazz scene. Now in their 20th year, the Parliamentary Jazz Awards honour the best of British jazz. MPs and Peers in the All-Party Group are grateful to the Musicians’ Union and UK Music for supporting the event.”
Lord Mann, Co-Chair of APPJG, said: “This has been another really strong year for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in terms of talent and nominations. The well-deserved recipients are a veritable who’s who of names that have made a real impact on the music and helped make the UK one of the world’s leading jazz territories.”
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, said: “The Musicians’ Union is delighted to support the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The recipients reflect both the phenomenal jazz talent we have here in the UK and the community built around them in the nations and regions. Congratulations to the recipients and all those nominated on their success to date.”
The full list of recipients is as follows:
Jazz Vocalist of the Year
Zara McFarlane
Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
Rob Luft
Jazz Album of the Year
John Surman – Words Unspoken
Jazz Ensemble of the Year
The Banger Factory
Jazz Newcomer of the Year
Donovan Haffner
Jazz Venue of the Year
Digbeth Jazz
Jazz Media Award
‘Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch
Jazz Education Award
Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra
The Martin Hummel Endeavour Award
Olivia Cuttill
Services to Jazz Award
Marianne Windham
Special APPJG Award
Chris Philips