The musician, who hails from Northern Ireland, will receive the recognition at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 next month. The ceremony in central London will bring together leading artists from across the worlds of jazz, soul and blues to celebrate the genre’s heritage and its continuing evolution, organisers said. Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett and Ahmad Jamal. He said: “Jazz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. “It is a privilege for the Jazz FM Awards to honour such a singular and enduring talent with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”Other acts nominated at the awards include Raye for soul act of the year and Ezra Collective, who are up for The Innovation Award.

Source: The Herald March 24, 2026 00:16 UTC