The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow. Hosted by the acclaimed musician Seonaid Aitken, the event at The Savings Bank showcased the exceptional contributions of Scotland’s jazz vocalists, instrumentalists and pioneers.
This year’s ceremony included a poignant tribute to the late pianist Brian Kellock, who passed away in May. Singer and actress Suzanne Bonnar led the tribute and announced the renaming of the Best Instrumentalist Award as the Brian Kellock Best Instrumentalist Award in his honour. Last year’s winner of the accolade, Fergus McCreadie, also performed a moving piece dedicated to Kellock’s memory.
The evening was filled with exceptional music, including performances from Matt Carmichael and Roan Anderson, the newly crowned BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician 2025.
Winners of the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 are:
Rising Star Award sponsored by Musicians’ Union – Pippa Blundell
The Fionna Duncan Best Vocalist Award sponsored by Whighams Jazz Club – Rachel Lightbody
The Brian Kellock Best Instrumentalist Award sponsored by ESP Music Rentals – Colin Steele
Best Band Award sponsored by S.M. Lighting (Scotland) Ltd – corto.alto
Best Album Award sponsored by EmuBands – Matt Carmichael ‘Dancing with Embers’
Grassroots Promoter Award sponsored by Rightsbridge – LayLow
Critics’ Choice Award sponsored by Inhouse Event Productions – Norman&Corrie
The Scottish Jazz Award winners were selected by the public from a shortlist of over 25 musicians, acts, individuals and organisations which was compiled by a nominating panel of industry experts.
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.
