Introduced by Gregory Porter and hosted by musician, actor, and comedian Ben Bailey Smith (AKA Doc Brown), the ceremony offered a powerful reminder of the richness, diversity, and ongoing evolution of jazz, and shone a spotlight on both heritage and innovation across the musical landscape.

One of the evening’s standout winners was corto.alto, the genre-blurring Scottish ensemble led by trombonist Liam Shortall, who took home two awards: UK Jazz Act of the Year and The Innovation Award.  

Ezra Collective cemented their position at the forefront of the UK’s vibrant jazz scene by winning the coveted Album of the Year for their acclaimed release Dance, No One’s Watching, and New York-based saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin was named International Jazz Act of the Year.

Ezra Collective:

“It’s such an honour to receive this recognition and to be welcomed by the jazz community. It means the absolute most. Thank you so, so much.”

The award for Breakthrough Act of the Year went to Ni Maxine. Alice Zawadzki was named Vocalist of the Year, while Mark Kavuma earned Instrumentalist of the Year. Jalen Ngonda won Soul Act of the Year, and powerhouse vocalist Shemekia Copeland was honoured as Blues Act of the Year for her continued innovation in the genre. The Collaboration Award went to Women in Jazz, recognising their collective efforts to champion and support underrepresented talent across the scene.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Billy Cobham, the legendary drummer and jazz fusion pioneer whose career has spanned nearly six decades. Cobham, widely regarded as one of the great drummers of modern times, joins the ranks of previous Lifetime recipients such as Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett and Dame Cleo Laine.

Billy Cobham:

“It’s been a long, long journey – almost 60 years – and so I’m deeply honoured that I have been recognised in any way, shape or form for my contributions to the musical fabric of the jazz community.”

The evening also saw special recognition awards for Jamie Cullum, who was presented with the Impact Award for his influence on the genre and contribution to music broadcasting, while Melody Gardot was presented with the Gold Award, to recognise her artistry and global acclaim. 

The full list of winners is as follows:

Jazz FM Awards 2025 with PPL and PRS for Music

Lifetime Achievement Award
Billy Cobham

Impact Award 
Sponsored by: Raymond Weil Genève
Jamie Cullum

Gold Award
Melody Gardot

UK Jazz Act of the Year (Public Vote)

corto.alto

Album of the Year (Public Vote)

Sponsored by: Rayo
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching

Breakthrough Act of the Year

Sponsored by: Arts Council England
Ni Maxine

International Jazz Act of the Year 

Sponsored by: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority 

Lakecia Benjamin 

Vocalist of the Year 

Sponsored by: Sounds from Spain by ICEX

Alice Zawadzki 

Instrumentalist of the Year 

Sponsored by: Yamaha UK

Mark Kavuma

Soul Act of the Year 

Sponsored by: Oanda
Jalen Ngonda 

Blues Act of the Year 

Shemekia Copeland

The Innovation Award 

Sponsored by: Mishcon de Reya 

corto.alto

The Collaboration Award
Sponsored by: Cash For Kids

Women in Jazz  

from www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk