Public nominations for the 2015 Parliamentary Jazz Awards have begun.

2015 will see the event, which is hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) and sponsored by UK performing rights organization PPL, undergo more changes as it enters its 11th consecutive year.

Last year marked significant changes to the awards, expanding some award categories while consolidating others. However, this year the first round of nominations is being held two months early to get the festivities out of the way before the May 15 general election.

This first round of nominations officially opened on November 17 and will close on December 12. The awards ceremony will be held at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion on March 10, 2015.

Public nominations serve as the first selection round in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, where members of the public submit their choices for consideration in each of the nine award categories detailed below . This unique first round ensures ever nomination the public deem worthy will be considered, regardless of the profile or popularity of the names included.

Once the first round closes a panel music experts, which includes musicians, journalists, and others at the heard of the UK jazz scene, will discuss every submission from the first round and select 3-5 entries to progress to the final round.

The final round will see these 3-5 entries passed on to the members of APPJAG, who will select the winners in each category. The winners will be revealed, and presented with their award, at the award ceremony on March 10, 2015.

Click here to vote in the 2015 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

You may vote in the following nine categories:

  • Jazz Album of the Year (released in 2014 by a UK band or musicians)
  • Jazz Vocalist of the Year (UK-based vocalist who impressed in 2014)
  • Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year (UK-based musician who impressed in 2014)
  • Jazz Ensemble of the Year (UK-based group who impressed in 2014)
  • Jazz Venue of the Year (including jazz clubs, venues, festivals and promoters)
  • Jazz Media Award (including broadcasters, journalists, magazines, blogs, listings and books)
  • Jazz Education Award (to an educator or project for raising the standard of jazz education in the UK)
  • Jazz Newcomer of the Year (UK-based artist, musician or group with a début album released in 2014)
  • Services to Jazz Award (to a living person for their outstanding contribution to jazz in the UK).

Click here to see a list of last year’s winners.