Parliamentary Jazz AwardsThe Parliamentary Jazz Awards are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group and sponsored by music licencing company PPL and Jazz Services. Each year the public are invited to nominate their choices for the following nine categories:
- Jazz Musician of the Year
- Jazz Ensemble of the Year
- Live Jazz Award (including venues, promoters, festivals and jazz clubs)
- Jazz Journalist of the Year
- Jazz CD of the Year (released in 2011 by a UK band or musicians)
- Jazz Broadcaster of the Year
- Jazz Publication of the Year (inc. magazines, blogs, listings & books)
- Jazz Education Award (to an educator or project for raising the standard of jazz education in the UK)
- Services to Jazz Award
JUDGING PROCESS
First Stage - Nomination Form
The nomination form is available online at the Jazz Services website and is open to anyone to nominate in each category. Entry forms are limited to one person one vote.
Second Stage - Selection Panel
Each year a selection panel of 20 individuals is chosen by Jazz Services, each member with their own particular area of expertise. The panel represents a broad cross-section of backgrounds united in their endeavor for their knowledge of jazz. From all the entries received in the public nominations, the Selection Panel meets up and selects 3-5 nominees for each category for the consideration of over 100 jazz-loving members of the Houses of Parliament who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG).
Final Stage - Winners
The Voting Academy choose the eventual winners in each category from the Nominees chosen by the jazz selection panel. The Voting Academy is made up of the membership of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) chaired by Michael Connarty MP. The winners are announced at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards held at the House of Commons.