Jazzie B, founder of chart topping dance music pioneers Soul II Soul, will receive the London Legend accolade at the inaugural London Music Awards, a glittering event hosted by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, which takes place tonight at the Roundhouse.
A host of stars and music industry insiders are expected at the sell-out event, which is sponsored by luxury watch brand Raymond Weil and being organised to raise money for the Mayor's Music Fund. In just two years, the charity has given out grants worth £1.3m, benefitting over 14,000 young musicians.
The London Music Awards will celebrate some of the talented individuals that have helped ensure London's status as one of the world's greatest music capitals. As well as Jazzie B, they include Sir Antonio Pappano, Musical Director of the Royal Opera and The Orchestra of the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, who is recognised in the Exceptional Contribution to Music category, and Lord Lloyd Webber, awarded in the Individual Philanthropy category.
London's eclectic music scene is reflected in the diversity of the award winners. 26 year old Kimberly Anne from Bromley wins Young Composer / Songwriter (sponsored by PRS for Music) for her acoustically based indie sound and the raw passion of her homemade instruments built in her bedroom studio. Lewisham-based Femme, 24, takes the Rising Star award (sponsored by Raymond Weil), thanks to her Debbie Harry inspired pop hooks and bright productions. Undiscovered Talent – sponsored by Live Nation, goes to Natalie Shay who, at just 15 years old and studying for her GCSEs at the BRIT School, has caused a stir with her live sets at venues across the capital.
These talented young performers are set to play live, alongside the legendary Soul II Soul, who will close the show, and Jermain Jackman, who won this year's The Voice and has been appointed 'London Music Champion' by the Mayor. Playing in the entrance of the Roundhouse will be rising band The King's Parade, who won the Eurostar Prize as part of the Mayor's Gigs busking competition.
Further awards are going to four young Londoners Daniel Aidoo, James Lynch, Charles Campbell-Peak and Bishal Debnath, who are named Outstanding Mayor's Music Scholars, a category sponsored by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), who are also being recognised for corporate philanthropy, and Brass Tracks, a collaboration between the boroughs of Hounslow and Sutton and Zone One Brass sponsored by Cameron Mackintosh. The final award is for Best Live Music Venue, which is voted for by Time Out readers and goes to the Union Chapel in Islington.
The London Music Awards are being organised to raise money for the Mayor's Music Fund, which develops the skills of talented children across the capital. Fund raised are spent on lessons and instruments, as well as giving recipients exposure to other musicians and the opportunity to perform with bands and orchestras.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson says: “I am immensely proud of the work that the Mayor’s Music Fund is doing. To reach so many young people in such a small space of time is a colossal achievement. The London Music Awards are more than celebrating the success of the award winners and it is more than a fundraiser, it is an opportunity to rejoice in London’s fabulous musical achievement and to inspire budding musicians across this great city.”
The London Music Awards are being presented by radio and TV presenter Margherita Taylor, Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow and award winning composer Rachel Portman OBE.
London Music Awards – category winners:
Jazzie B London Legend (in association with the Evening Standard)
Antonio Pappano Exceptional Contribution to Music
Natalie Shay Undiscovered Talent (sponsored by Live Nation)
Kimberly Anne Young Composer/songwriter (sponsored by PRS for Music)
Femme Rising Star (sponsored by Raymond Weil)
Brass Tracks Outstanding Musical Collaboration (sponsored by The Mackintosh Foundation)
Andrew Lloyd Webber Philanthropist – individual (sponsored by SRLV Accountant)
ABRSM Philanthropist - corporate (sponsored by SRLV Accountant)
Union Chapel London's Favourite Music Venue (voted for by Time Out readers)
