Jazz FM Awards 2022: Instrumentalist of the Year
We're spotlighting our 'Instrumentalist of the Year, sponsored by Yamaha' nominees for the Jazz FM Awards 2022 with PPL and PRS for Music
Last updated 6th 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 'Instrumentalist of the Year, sponsored by Yamaha' nominees: Emma Rawicz, Fergus McCreadie, and Mark Kavuma.
Who is Emma Rawicz?
Emma Rawicz is a multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer, already making waves on the UK music scene.
Emma has also created a name for herself both as a bandleader and a sideman. A new arrival on the scene, she has already made an impact, regularly playing at major London jazz venues with a wide range of established musicians.
Growing up in rural North Devon, Emma didn't discover jazz until the age of 15, and didn't pick up a tenor saxophone until a year later, but had spent her childhood otherwise immersed in largely folk and classical music.
Emma's influences range from modern jazz and fusion to folk and soul, key figures in her musical development include Chris Potter, Ari Hoenig, Kenny Jarrett, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea and more.
Who is Fergus McCreadie?
Pianist Fergus McCreadie is one of Scotland’s most exciting young talents. Born in Jamestown, near Strathpeffer, he grew up in Dollar in Clackmannanshire and graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018.
As well as winning the prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Award with his trio in 2016, he has twice won the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the year under-17s Prize and is the winner of the Guy Jones Prize, the Joe Temperley Prize from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and the Linda Trahan Memorial Prize from St Andrews University.
Self-released in Spring of 2018, the trio’s debut album, Turas, has been praised for “reflecting his engagement with the Scottish landscape and musical traditions while also showing a firm grasp of the jazz piano tradition” (Jazz in Europe).
McCreadie, who also works with drummer Graham Costello’s STRATA, Glasgow collective corto.alto and BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020 finalist Matt Carmichael, formed his trio with bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson in 2016.
Who is Mark Kavuma?
Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Mark Kavuma has established himself as a key player in the British Jazz explosion. As a leader, he has released four albums, Kavuma (2018), voted among the best albums of the year by Downbeat magazine and The Banger Factory (2019), both released with UK record label Ubuntu Music. Mark’s third release is the first offering on his own label Banger Factory Records, Arashi No Ato (2021), and he has an upcoming album with The Banger Factory – Warriors – out 18th November 2022.
Mark infuses this indelible musical movement with the energy, attitude and swagger of a new generation of creators. He has a unique and distinctive trumpet sound. His lyricism, soulful tone and grace of technique spread infectious joy and mutual excitement among audiences and fellow musicians alike.
Mark’s main outfit, The Banger Factory, is a collective that is contingent upon bringing the people a good time. From a weekly residency in Brixton’s POW, over the last seven years, the band has developed and nourished a truly unmistakable group sound and attracts and features some of the most gifted and engaging musicians on the scene today. “What is more, the band brings together and unifies the local London jazz scene. Spreading love and good vibes.”
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.