Jazz FM Awards 2022: International Jazz Act of the Year
We're spotlighting our 'International Jazz Act of the Year' nominees for the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music
Last updated 11th Oct 2022
Ahead of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music, which takes place on the 20th of October 2022, we wanted to shine a light on each of our nominees.
Here, we're taking a look at our nominees for 'The Digital Award, sponsored by Rathbones': jazzed, Summer of Soul, and We Out Here Festival.
Who is Lady Blackbird?
Whilst reflecting influences as varied as Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan, Los Angeles-based vocalist Lady Blackbird (aka Marley Munroe) possesses a style and emotional intensity that is very much her own.
Her 2021 debut album Black Acid Soul presents a wholly fresh take on the jazz vocal idiom from an artist blessed with a bold, unmistakable voice.
Honouring the greats has come as a musical process to Lady Blackbird, having recorded her debut album in legendary Studio B (Prince’s room) in Sunset Sound, produced by Grammy-nominated Chris Seefried.
Who is Theo Croker?
Theo Croker is a storyteller who speaks through his trumpet. A creative who refuses boundaries, the composer, producer, influencer and thought leader projects his singular voice through music.
Croker first debuted his simmering original sound in 2014 on the Dee Dee Bridgewater-assisted AfroPhysicist, returning two years later with 2016’s follow-up Escape Velocity, lauded by the Wall Street Journal as “timeless and of-the-moment.” He once again reached new heights with 2019’s Star People Nation, attracting widespread critical acclaim and garnering his first-ever GRAMMY nomination for "Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.”
The year 2020 returned Croker to his childhood home in Florida, where he wrote and recorded his sixth full-length albumBLK2LIFE || A FUTURE PAST, a star-studded effort featuring contributions from Wyclef Jean, Ari Lennox, Gary Bartz, Charlotte Dos Santos, Iman Omari, Malaya, and Kassa Overall. 2022 has seen Croker starting another chapter in his constant evolution as an artist with his seventh studio album LOVE QUANTUM, available now via Star People Nation / Sony Music Masterworks.
Who is Trombone Shorty?
Trombone Shorty is a trombonist, trumpet player, vocalist, and bandleader from New Orleans.
Born Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty got his start (and nickname) earlier than most: at four, he made his first appearance at Jazz Fest performing with Bo Diddley; at six, he was leading his own brass band; and by his teenage years, he was hired by Lenny Kravitz to join the band he assembled for his Electric Church World Tour.
Since 2010, he’s released four chart-topping studio albums; toured with everyone from Jeff Beck to the Red Hot Chili Peppers; collaborated across genres with Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, ZHU, Zac Brown, Normani, Ringo Starr, and countless more; played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and nearly every other major festival.
Trombone Shorty's 2022 project Lifted is his first album in 5 years and the follow-up to his Blue Note debut Parking Lot Symphony, featuring special guests including vocalist Lauren Daigle & guitarist Gary Clark Jr. An album that captures the energy of his legendary live shows. The album combines classic New Orleans sounds (funk, gospel, street rhythms, Mardi Gras Indian chants & second lines) with modern lyrics, melody & beats to create something fresh & unique.
How can I find out the winners of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music?
The winners of the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music will be announced on the 20th of October 2022, with the ceremony taking place at Shoreditch Town Hall.
The winners will be revealed on our social media channels, and in a special show, which will be broadcast from 2200-0000 on the 20th of October.