麻豆原创

Van Morrison will receive this year鈥檚 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jazz FM Awards 2026, presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, recognising his extraordinary contribution to music across more than six decades.

Morrison will be honoured at the ceremony at KOKO on Thursday April 16th, where broadcaster, comedian and actor Ben Bailey Smith (aka Doc Brown) will return to host the evening. The ceremony will bring together leading artists from across the worlds of jazz, soul and blues for an evening celebrating the genre鈥檚 rich heritage and its continuing evolution.

Van Morrison: 鈥淛azz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. I鈥檝e been fortunate to spend my life doing what I believe in, and it鈥檚 an honour to receive this recognition from Jazz FM.鈥�

The Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement Award honours artists whose careers have made a lasting impact on the world of jazz and its wider musical landscape. Presented to musicians whose work has helped shape the evolution of the genre, the accolade recognises those whose influence extends far beyond the stage, inspiring generations of artists and audiences around the world. Previous recipients include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny and Ahmad Jamal.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Morrison has built a catalogue of recordings that seamlessly blend jazz, soul, blues and folk. From the spiritual jazz explorations of聽Astral Weeks聽to the meditative, improvisational soundscapes of聽Common One, his music has shaped the sound of modern songwriting and continues to inspire generations of musicians across genres.

Over the course of his career, Morrison has released more than 40 studio albums and earned global recognition including multiple Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a knighthood for services to music in Northern Ireland. His unique ability to fuse musical traditions with deeply personal songwriting has cemented his reputation as one of the defining voices in contemporary music.

Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical, said: 鈥淰an Morrison鈥檚 music occupies a unique space where jazz, soul, blues and poetry meet. His body of work has influenced countless artists and continues to resonate with audiences around the world. It is a privilege for the Jazz FM Awards to honour such a singular and enduring talent with this year鈥檚 Lifetime Achievement 础飞补谤诲.鈥�

Andrea聽Czapary聽Martin, CEO,聽PRS for Music, said:聽鈥淚t鈥檚 always a delight to support the Jazz FM Awards and celebrate our members from the jazz community – a sector so rich in creativity and exceptional flair. This year, it鈥檚 especially meaningful to see Van Morrison recognised for his remarkable and enduring contribution to music. His influence continues to shape songwriters and composers across generations. To all this year鈥檚 nominees and winners, congratulations 鈥� your drive and determination enable the creation of incredible music across jazz, soul and blues.”

Peter Leathem OBC, CEO of PPL said: 鈥淰an Morrison鈥檚 music has inspired generations聽of musicians聽and touched the hearts of listeners around the world.聽He is one聽of聽the all-time聽greats,聽and his聽unique聽blend of jazz, soul聽and blues, coupled with his inimitable voice is聽what has made him such a defining and聽lasting聽force in music.聽I聽am delighted that the Jazz FM Awards is honouring the聽legendary聽鈥榁an the Man鈥� with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and more broadly,聽I extend heartfelt聽congratulations to all this year鈥檚 nominees and winners.鈥澛�

The evening will once again be hosted by Ben Bailey Smith, who returns following his appearance at last year鈥檚 ceremony. A respected broadcaster, comedian and actor as well as a musician in his own right, Brown brings his trademark wit and deep love of music to the stage for what promises to be another memorable celebration of jazz and its many musical intersections.

This year鈥檚 Jazz FM Award nominees include UK jazz innovators Ezra Collective, star British singer-songwriter Raye, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples, multi-award-winning US vocalist Samara Joy, chart-topping producer, composer and trumpeter Emma-Jean Thackray, British soul star Omar, visionary multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings, boundary-pushing French-Haitian vocalist C茅cile McLorin Salvant, and the genre-blending collective Snarky Puppy.

Jazz FM Awards 2026 with PPL and PRS for Music – Nominees聽

Breakthrough Act of the Year聽

Donovan Haffner

Earth-o-Naut

Poppy Daniels

International Jazz Act of the Year聽
Sponsored by: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

Linda May Han Oh

Nate Smith

Samara Joy

Blues Act of the Year聽

Alice Armstrong

Gary Clark Jr.

Mavis Staples

Soul Act of the Year聽

Sponsored by: Oanda聽

Omar

RAYE

Young Gun Silver Fox

Instrumentalist of the Year聽

Joe Webb

Laura Jurd

Shabaka

Vocalist of the Year聽

Brigitte Beraha

Marvin Muonek茅

Yazmin Lacey

The Innovation Award聽

Sponsored by:聽 Mishcon de Reya聽

Emma-Jean Thackray

Ezra Collective

Theon Cross

The Collaboration Award聽
Sponsored by: Cash For Kids

Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars – Calima

Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest – SOMNI

The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival

Album of the Year 鈥� PUBLIC VOTE聽

Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone

C茅cile McLorin Salvant 鈥� Oh Snap

Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo

Fergus McCreadie – The Shieling

Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell 鈥� We Insist 2025!

Tyreek McDole – Open Up Your Senses

UK Jazz Act of the Year 鈥� PUBLIC VOTE聽

Emma Rawicz

Kokoroko

Tom Skinner