All About Jazz is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Jazz Forward Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects that are advancing jazz awareness, discovery, and culture in meaningful and innovative ways. Selected by a committee of industry visionaries, these honorees epitomize the forward thinking of jazz in 2025.
A key data platform and publication tracking jazz radio airplay across the U.S. and Canada. JazzWeek not only provides industry-standard charts but also supports connectivity among radio stations, labels, and artists—guiding discovery and exposure.
A live and on-demand streaming platform offering high-fidelity jazz performances from clubs around the world. With a mission to support venues and musicians, the platform reinvests a portion of its revenue back into the jazz ecosystem and widens global access to live jazz experiences.
A grassroots nonprofit dedicated to preserving jazz culture locally. Known for presentation of live jazz multiple nights weekly, promoting accessibility, mentorship, and paying artists fairly. The Fellowship is emerging as a cultural anchor in Seattle, particularly in times of venues closing or being displaced.
Europe’s most inclusive jazz education festival. Sligo Jazz Project combines summer school, performance, education, and immersive experiences. It draws students of varying ages and experience levels from across the globe, fostering both learning and artistic exchange.
2025 Jazz Forward Award Winners
We are pleased to recognize the following for their outstanding contributions: 
JazzWeek (USA)
A key data platform and publication tracking jazz radio airplay across the U.S. and Canada. JazzWeek not only provides industry-standard charts but also supports connectivity among radio stations, labels, and artists—guiding discovery and exposure. 
Oh! Jazz (Australia/Global)
A live and on-demand streaming platform offering high-fidelity jazz performances from clubs around the world. With a mission to support venues and musicians, the platform reinvests a portion of its revenue back into the jazz ecosystem and widens global access to live jazz experiences. 
Seattle Jazz Fellowship (USA)
A grassroots nonprofit dedicated to preserving jazz culture locally. Known for presentation of live jazz multiple nights weekly, promoting accessibility, mentorship, and paying artists fairly. The Fellowship is emerging as a cultural anchor in Seattle, particularly in times of venues closing or being displaced. 
Sligo Jazz Project (Ireland)
Europe’s most inclusive jazz education festival. Sligo Jazz Project combines summer school, performance, education, and immersive experiences. It draws students of varying ages and experience levels from across the globe, fostering both learning and artistic exchange. What This Means for the Industry
These awardees exemplify key trends in jazz today: global collaboration, digital innovation, educational inclusion, and community-rooted sustainability. They are setting new standards for how jazz is taught, shared, streamed, and experienced. All About Jazz reaffirms its commitment to fostering a thriving jazz infrastructure—whether through elevating emerging voices, supporting platforms that broaden access, or spotlighting organizations that deepen local scenes.About the Jazz Forward Award
The Jazz Forward Award program celebrates trailblazers across the jazz ecosystem—businesses, organizations, and individuals who play pivotal roles in promoting jazz, discovering and elevating new talent, and expanding the reach and influence of the art form. Recipients are showcased in All About Jazz’s weekly newsletter, featured prominently on the website, and permanently listed on the Jazz Forward recipients page. Winners also join the Spotlight On podcast hosted by Lawrence Peryer and are included in All About Jazz’s annual industry-wide announcement distributed by DL Media. The 2025 winners were selected by a distinguished committee including Michael Ricci, Lawrence Peryer, and Joseph Vella.Supporting the Ecosystem That Supports Jazz
“These honorees are doing the challenging work that often goes unseen: cultivating new audiences, nurturing artistic growth, and reinforcing the infrastructure that keeps jazz viable,” said Michael Ricci, publisher of All About Jazz. “The Jazz Forward Awards are our way of shining a light on those building the scaffolding of jazz’s future.”About All About Jazz
Founded in 1995, All About Jazz is a leading online platform devoted to jazz music: its history, culture, and contemporary developments. Through news, reviews, interviews, podcasts, and community engagement, All About Jazz continuously amplifies voices that push the genre forward.Call for Nominations
All About Jazz invites nominations for future Jazz Forward Awards. Businesses, organizations, and individuals doing work that elevates jazz awareness, expands audiences, or meaningfully advances jazz culture are encouraged to apply.For more information contact All About Jazz.
