On Thursday 10th October Boisdale Patron of Music Jools Holland and recently appointed Global Ambassador for the Puglia region of Italy, Nancy Dell'Olio hosted the fourth Boisdale Music Awards in association with Puglia Promozione & Regione Puglia at Boisdale of Canary Wharf.
The annual event celebrated the greatest entertainers in the world of jazz, blues, soul, reggae, country and pop. Each Boisdale Music Award winner performed after receiving their accolade and luxury limited edition Boisdale sunglasses created by the UK’s number one eyewear designer Tom Davies.
Other notable attending guests included Hollywood actor, producer, director and writer Kelsey Grammer, Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode, Joe Washbourn and Daniel "Dan" Hipgrave of Toploader, singer-songwriter Denise Pearson, The Voice UK’s star Michelle Jones, Megan Barton Hanson of the 2018 hit reality show Love Island, vocalist Janet Kay, singer-songwriter and fashion designer Lisa Maffia, Mutya Buena of Sugababes and Tony Momrelle of Incognito.
The winners collecting their awards on the night were:
Latino Award - Ladyva & Silva
These Swiss siblings are both world class Boogie Woogie pianists but they’ve also spent a great deal of their young lives in the Dominican Republic which has led to a second career as performers of their own unique brand of Latin American music.
Best Newcomer - Tallia Storm
The star of Celebs Go Dating was the support act for Elton John at the tender age of 13. She’s now matured into a very fine singer and whilst the media are fascinated by her lifestyle and her photogenic looks we’d like to draw attention to her excellent vocal skills.
Best Instrumentalist - Soweto Kinch
Award winning alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch is one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the British jazz and hip hop scenes. Undoubtedly, one of the few artists in either genre with a degree in Modern History from Oxford University he has amassed an impressive list of accolades and awards on both sides of the Atlantic.
Best Jazz Artist - Judi Jackson
We first became aware of this fine talent when she recorded her song Only Love with Grammy award-winning band Snarky Puppy. She’s currently divides her time between New York and London where she recorded her critically acclaimed debut EP 'Blame It On My Youth' and her debut live album “Judi Jackson Live In London”.
Best Soul Artist - Shaun Escoffery
British soul and R&B singer and actor with an incredible, soulful voice. His first major release was the single "Space Rider". For the last 10 years he has performed as Mufasa in the London production of The Lion King making him the the longest-serving actor in the musical.
Best Reggae Artist - Dawn Penn
Her song You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)" became a worldwide hit in 1994 and is one of the most famous reggae hits of all-time covered by countless artists around the world including Beyonce, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Wu-Tang Clan, Eve, J Millz, Mims, and Lily Allen to name a few.
Best Band - British Collective
The core members are Don-e, Junior Giscombe, Noel McKoy and Omar, who have been amongst the 'Torch Bearers' of authentic British soul music since the 80s. Individually, they have sold millions of records worldwide, recorded some of the most iconic British soul anthems and won many notable industry awards. They have performed, written for and recorded with many of the world's R&B's legends, such as Stevie Wonder and Phyliss Hyman through to Erykah Badu and Angie Stone.
Special Award - Jocelyn Brown
Her incredible vocals made the massive international hit Somebody Else’s Guy one of the great soul music performances of all time. She has also been an in-demand backing singer whose vocals have graced nearly 30 top 20 hits over the last few decades.
Singer Songwriter Award - Raye
This wonderfully talented 21 year old has already had several top ten songs with David Guetta, Jonas Blue and Jax Jones whose "You Don’t Know Me" peaked at no. 3. She has also written songs for Beyonce for her new album "Lion King" as well as hits for Little Mix and John Legend.
Outstanding Contribution To British Music - RJ Gibb on behalf of Robin Gibb
The Bee Gees have sold an incredible 220 million records and the Boisdale Music Awards celebrate them with an award to the late Robin Gibb. His widow Dwina has collected the award and their son R J Gibb performed Robin’s composition “I Started A Joke”.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Joe Jackson
Joe scored a hit with his first release, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" in 1979. This was followed by a number of new wave singles before he moved to more jazz-inflected pop music and had a Top 10 hit in 1982 with "Steppin' Out". He is associated with the 1980s Second British Invasion of the US. He has also composed classical music and has recorded 19 studio albums and received 5 Grammy Award nominations.
Best International Band – Sharmoofers
Founded by Egyptian musicians Ahmed Bahaa (vocals) & Moe El-3rkan (drums and guitar), in less than four years, their unique brand of reggae and pop-infused rock has garnered millions of views on Youtube and just as many fans on Facebook. Think a mix of Barenaked Ladies' pop fused positivity with the fun loving Reggae styles of Shaggy, all in Arabic.
Boisdale is unique amongst live music venues in that alongside its world class entertainment it is also renowned for the most magnificent food and drink.
On arrival guests were served Dom Perignon and Boisdale 1er Cru NV champagne alongside Calafuria Rosato Tormaresca 2018 wine from Puglia, Italy and City of London Distillery Gin & Double Dutch tonics.
The reception was followed by a three-course dinner celebrating the wonderful food and wine of Puglia starting with Burrata, roast peppers, cold pressed Puglian olive oil and followed by the middle and main courses of Fresh‘ little ears’ pasta, turnip tops, chilli & parmesan; Rosemary & lemon marinated fillet of beef, traditional fava beans purée, sautéed greens. For dessert guests were served Honey, ginger and salted almond iced parfait.
WINNERS & NOMINATIONS 2019
1. Latino Award - Vanessa and Silva * Luna Cohen | Heidi Vogel
2. Best Newcomer - Tallia Storm * Michelle John | Teshay Makeda
3. Best Instrumentalist - Soweto Kinch * Mo Pleasure | Courtney Pine
4. Best Jazz Artist - Judi Jackson * Sandra Mae | Cousin Alice
5. Best Soul Artist - Shaun Escoffery * Mutya Buena | Omar
6. Best Reggae Artist - Dawn Pen * Janet Kay | Horace Andy
7. Best Band - British Collective * Toploader | Incognito
8. Special Award - Jocelyn Brown * Richard Hadfield | Wayne McIntyre
9. Singer Songwriter Award – Raye * Denise Pearson | Terri Walker
10. Outstanding Contribution To British Music - RJ Gibb on behalf of Robin Gibb
11. Lifetime Achievement Award - Joe Jackson
12. Best International Band - Sharmoofers
