Scottish jazz talent honoured at annual awards

The exceptional talent within Scotland's burgeoning jazz scene was celebrated at the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards.

Article Source: Scottish Jazz Awards
Last Updated: 10 December 2021 11:59

Winners across seven categories, including Best Vocalist, Best Band and Rising Star, were honoured at Glasgow venue The Savings Bank as the event applauded stand out musical endeavours.

More than 2,000 public votes were cast for the nominees, while the Services To Scottish Jazz and Lifetime Achievement Awards were selected by a panel of industry specialists, including press and promoters from across the UK.

Winners of the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards are:

• Best Vocalist Award sponsored by Whighams Jazz Club - Marianne McGregor
• Best Instrumentalist Award sponsored by ESP Music Rentals - Laura Macdonald
• Rising Star Award sponsored by Musicians’ Union - Rachel Duns
• Best Band Award sponsored by Inhouse Event Productions - Rose Room
• Best Album Award sponsored by Birnam CD - Georgia Cecile, Only the Lover Sings
• Services to Scottish Jazz Award - Lindsay Robertson, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO)
• Lifetime Achievement Award in association with Help Musicians Scotland - Richard Michael

It’s been an exciting year for the Scottish jazz community. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 2019's Rising Star winner and this year’s Best Vocalist Marianne McGregor released her self-penned debut album Good Morning Warning, followed by a second release Standards covering her favourite jazz tracks.

Best Instrumentalist winner, saxophonist and teacher Laura Macdonald had an equally busy year playing concerts and jazz festivals across the country while also competing in BBC’s MasterChef, making it to the final four in the popular cookery competition.

Glasgow saxophonist Rachel Duns has gained experience playing jazz as a member of various youth bands including the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, which contributed to her gaining a place studying jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and has now earned her the title of Rising Star.

Best Band winners Rose Room have become one of Scotland’s leading ensembles with their 1930s ‘Hot Club’ standards, gypsy jazz favourites and self-penned originals. The quartet, who recently celebrated 10 years together, is fronted by violinist and vocalist Seonaid Aitken, who hosted the ceremony, alongside Jimmy Moon, Tam Gallagher and Conor Smith.

Jazz vocalist Georgia Cecile’s debut album Only the Lover Sings was released to great critical acclaim and praise from fans, reaching the top 10 of the UK jazz charts and has now picked up the prestigious Best Album Award.

Lindsay Robertson of the SNJO was honoured with the Services to Scottish Jazz Award in recognition of her many years managing the orchestra, as well as her work with Edinburgh Jazz Festival and Jazz From Scotland before her retirement.

Acclaimed pianist Richard Michael was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his varied career including his pioneering work with Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra where he has been influential in the development of many of Scotland’s finest musicians such as Calum Gourlay, Helena Kay, Fergus McCreadie and Kim Macari.

A popular broadcaster on BBC Radio Scotland’s Jazz Nights show since 2007, he has revealed to thousands of listeners the secrets of the jazz masters in his role as “Jazz Jargonbuster”. He is Honorary Professor of Jazz Piano at the University of St Andrews and spent many years spent as Head of Music in Beath High School. He joins previous winners Martin Taylor, Fionna Duncan, Carol Kidd, Ken Mathieson, Bobby Wellins, Tam White and Ronnie Rae in the Jazz Hall of Fame.

Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival and Producer of the Scottish Jazz Awards, said: “It’s been a wonderful year for jazz music in Scotland despite the challenges and it’s been inspiring to see the new heights reached and boundaries pushed within the scene. I’d like to congratulate all of our nominees and winners on their recognition at this year’s Scottish Jazz Awards - they are all fantastic ambassadors for Scottish jazz and it is inspiring to see so many women picking up trophies across the board this year.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland: “Congratulations to all the 2021 Scottish Jazz Awards nominees and winners. This year’s awards highlight the increasing diversity of the Scottish jazz scene and how dedicated teachers and organisers play a vital role in its success. The winners in each and every category have produced outstanding artistic work that has clearly connected with audiences.”

The Scottish Jazz Awards are produced as an independent event by the organisers of Glasgow Jazz Festival and supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

For more information visit: www.jazzfest.co.uk/awards/

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Ride your way to a free BBQ feast!

For one day only on Thursday 24th July, Maggie's Rock n Rodeo is calling on Glasgow's bravest diners to saddle up and ride their way to a free BBQ feast.

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!

New opening: The Delphine is set to launch in Princes Square

The Delphine, an all-day bistro, cafè and bar is due to open this August, in Glasgow's iconic Princes Square.

Outlander actor to star as Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Mark Hadfield will star as Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, in Lucy Bailey's new production of Death on the Nile coming to the Theatre Royal in February!

Glasgow and Lanarkshire charities to receive funding to help put a stop to child poverty in Scotland

Three Glasgow and Lanarkshire based children's charities have been named among 11 Scottish organisations as partners of STV Children's Appeal's newly launched Ignite Fund.

First look: SiSi teases scene stealing mural and striking skyline views with opening on the horizon

SíSí Rooftop, a new restaurant and bar, has unveiled a first look inside its stunning eighth-floor space ahead of its opening in Glasgow's Merchant City on Friday, 1 August.

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

Glastonbury Stars heading for Milngavie Street Party

Iconic drum and base duo Fabio and Grooverider, actor and DJ Craig Charles and Mercury Music Prize nominees Corto Alto will all be performing at the biggest Milngavie Street Party yet!

Bringing American southern soul to the Southside of Glasgow... Birds launches Brunch

'Brunch at Birds' will be available every Saturday and Sunday from 11am–3pm, bringing a dose of laid-back, American-style indulgence to the Southside.

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Treasure Trove Scotland are inviting members of the public to bring their finds to be assessed as part of a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Can you fling a piece oot a 20 storey flat... this Glasgow business wants to find out

To mark its 150th anniversary, Dunns Food and Drinks is launching The Great Dunns Piece Fling, a search for a high-rise flat to test the lyric 'ye cannae fling pieces oot a twenty-storey flat'!

Summer offers from the Kings and Theatre Royal Glasgow

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the King's Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow!

Matthew Algie and Tinderbox launch limited edition menu in support of Beatson Cancer Charity

Tinderbox and Glasgow roaster Matthew Algie have teamed up with Beatson Cancer Charity for the second year running – and this time, the menu’s three times bigger.

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday

Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.

Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Horne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow

The state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub

Beloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!

Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026

With doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn

CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.

Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement

Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.

Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Scottish jazz talent honoured at annual awards

The exceptional talent within Scotland's burgeoning jazz scene was celebrated at the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards.

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings