2014 MOBO Award jazz nominations announced

A strong short list of five nominees has been announced for this year's 'Best Jazz Act' at the annual MOBO Awards:

• Andreas Varady
• Jason Rebello
• Peter Edwards
• Phronesis
• Zara McFarlane

Four British acts make the list. Pianist Jason Rebello made a triumphant return as leader with his recent album 'Anything But Look' which featured many guest appearances from British jazz and soul including Omar, Joy Rose and US soul singer Will Downing. Piano trio Phronesis' album 'Life To Everything' was recorded at Jazz In The Round during last year's EFG London Jazz Festival. Zara McFarlane had a great year on the live circuit as well as the release of her second album 'If You Knew Her' for Gilles Peterson's Brownswood label. Pianist Peter Edwards gets two bites of the cherry being part of Zara McFarlane's band as well as leader on his own trio album 'Safe and Sound' released earlier this year. Prodigious young Slovakian guitarist Andreas Varady gets in too after the release of his self titled album in August with more than a helping hand from his manager, one Quincy Jones.

The MOBO Awards will take place October 22nd at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London.