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All About Jazz Announces 2025 Jazz Forward Award Winners—Honoring Innovation, Discovery, And Impact In Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
September 14, 2025

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. 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 ...

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Made In New York Jazz Competition Announces 2024-2025 Winners

Source: Michael Brovkine
September 1, 2025

The Made In New York Jazz Competition today named the winners of its 2024-2025 season. Launched in 2013 as the first online jazz contest by the Made In New York Jazz brand, it drew entries from over 70 countries. Judges included legendary American jazz artists Mike Stern, Lenny White, and Randy Brecker. The voting committee members The Made In New York Jazz Competition's committee features prominent American artists, alongside international peers. John Lee (American bassist) has graced over 50 albums ...

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All About Jazz Launches Jazz Forward Award Program

Source: All About Jazz
June 2, 2025

All About Jazz, a driving force for jazz music since 1995, is thrilled to honor and celebrate industry trailblazers who actively promote jazz awareness, discovery, and culture through its prestigious Jazz Forward award program. Carefully selected by a team of industry visionaries, recipients don't just receive an award; their achievements are showcased in All About Jazz's weekly newsletter, featured prominently on the All About Jazz website and forever enshrined on our Jazz Forward award recipients page. Representatives also appear as ...

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Yuki Yamamura's First Leader Album Wins Silver Awards In Two Categories At The US Global Music Awards

Source: Yuki Yamamura
May 15, 2025

Yuki Yamamura a jazz bassist based in New York, won two silver awards for his debut album as a leader, View of 124, at the Global Music Awards in the US, in the composer and group categories. The Global Music Awards is an international music awards program that recognizes outstanding artists, composers, producers, and performers in the music industry. The awards celebrate musical diversity by inviting participants from around the world and evaluating music of various genres. The Global Music ...

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Breakthrough Jazz Composition 'Escher’s Staircase' Wins Lennon Award

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2025

Junichiro Mataga Wins Lennon Award for “Escher’s Staircase" Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Junichiro Mataga has won the Lennon Award in the Jazz category of the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest with his original composition, “Escher’s Staircase." The piece, which had already garnered significant attention for its innovative approach and technical brilliance, now stands as the top winner in its genre. This prestigious contest, open to songwriters worldwide, is internationally recognized for its rigorous judging process. Junichiro Mataga first triumphed ...

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Saxophonist/Composer Javon Jackson And Poet Nikki Giovanni Nominated For NAACP Image Award In 'Outstanding Jazz Album' Category

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
January 12, 2025

Javon & Nikki Go to the Movies, a collaboration between the groundbreaking poet and activist Nikki Giovanni and saxophonist/composer Javon Jackson, has been nominated for a 56th NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album. Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African American point of view, the NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances in the arts, as well as individuals and groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors. The ...

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New England Conservatory Alumni And Faculty Recognized In New York Times And Downbeat Magazine

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
December 14, 2024

Recordings by New England Conservatory alumni and faculty have been recognized in the New York Times’ Best Jazz Albums of 2024 and DownBeat magazine’s Best Albums of 2024, maintaining a longstanding presence among the world’s leading musicians. You Think This America by the trio Tarbaby, which includes drummer and NEC faculty member Nasheet Waits, was named the No. 1 Jazz Album of the Year by the New York Times. Frank London ’80 earned the No. 8 spot for Spirit Stronger ...

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Ralph Hepola, John Stites Jazz Awards Winner

Source: Ralph Hepola
November 18, 2024

The winner of the John Stites Jazz Awards represents the epitome of artistic achievement in the world of jazz. Through their unparalleled talent, dedication, and creativity, past winners of the prestigious prize have earned their place among the genre’s leading performers, educators, and advocates. After months of anticipation, the winners of the prestigious John Stites Jazz Awards have been revealed. This year, amidst stiff competition and extraordinary performances, tubaist and bandleader Ralph Hepola emerged as one of only three winners ...

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