Boisdale’s Patron of Music Jools Holland and Ferne McCann will take to the Yamaha Music London stage at Boisdale of Canary Wharf to host the fifth annual Boisdale Music Awards on Tuesday 14th September.
The star studded evening will see London’s glitterati enjoy a three course gala dinner of Boisdale classic dishes before celebrating and honouring some of the greatest entertainers in the worlds of pop, rock, jazz, blues, soul and reggae.
On the night each Boisdale Music Award winner will give a short performance after receiving their accolade before the party continues into the early hours with Mi-Soul DJs rocking the First Floor Bar & Terrace.
Previous year’s award winners and performers include Judi Jackson, Ginger Baker, Dawn Penn, Imelda May, Mike D’Abo, The British Collective, Raye, Donovan, Natasha Hamilton, Fleur East, Tallia Storm, Luciano, Lisa Stansfield, Rebecca Ferguson, The Sharmoofers, Mica Paris, Joe Jackson, Alexander O’Neal, Maxi Priest, Paul Jones, Eddie Reader and Clare Teal.
Ranald Macdonald founder of Boisdale commented “The Boisdale Music Awards are the absolute highlight of the Boisdale calendar and always involve wonderful surprises and spontaneous live performances. This year we probably have our most exciting line up of outstandingly talented artists from a vast range of genres and eras. Our dedication to live music is paramount and we are delighted to venerate these fantastic singers and musicians whose talents have created hundreds of millions of record sales and made the world a happier place.”
BOISDALE MUSIC AWARDS 2021
AWARD CATEGORIES AND NOMINATIONS
YOUNG MUSICIAN
Caitlin Budding pop-star and sister to Brit Awards nominated star Birdie.
Emily Capell Singer and songwriter Emily has brought a new genre of country, ska, doo wopp and pop to the music scene.
Tallia Storm Soul sensation, fashion ‘it girl’ and influencer.
Gina Larner Brighton based singer who writes original songs that are a beautiful mixture of country, pop and folk.
Lucy Merrilyn Influenced by the great ladies of jazz, Lucy has a rich voice and performs sophisticated jazz standards.
Leah Weller Soulful singer / songwriter – and daughter of Paul Weller – her recent song “Strangers” is a firm favourite at BBC 6 Music and BBC London Introducing.
JAZZ ARTIST
Claire Martin The OBE has performed worldwide and is a critically acclaimed tour-de-force on the UK jazz scene.
Cleveland Watkiss The MBE is a virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer who has performed with many of the music industry’s greatest.
Tom Seals Hailed as the UK’s finest boogie woogie and blues pianist / vocalist.
SINGER / SONGWRITER
Omar Without doubt one of the greatest soul music talents the UK has ever produced.
Rebecca Ferguson Award winning British singer / songwriter and TV personality who reached the final of The X Factor in 2010 whilst her debut album Heaven received both commercial and critical success.
Joan Armatrading Three times Grammy nominated, two times Brit nominated and winner of a coveted Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection, Joan is an acclaimed female blues artist.
INSTRUMENTALIST
Albert Lee The Double Grammy Award Winner started his career during the emerging rock ‘n’ roll scene of 60s London and became one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history.
Dele Sosimi The UK’s multiple award-winning Afrobeat Ambassador and Fele Kuti’s keyboard player, Dele stands out as one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide.
Ben Waters Boogie Woogie and New Orleans R&B star who has performed at the world’s most iconic venues.
Nubya Garcia Mercury Prize shortlisted nominee, Nubya is an English jazz musician, saxophonist, composer and bandleader.
Courtney Pine A groundbreaking multi-instrumentalist, Courtney has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take jazz to a wider audience.
BLUES ARTIST
Marcus Bonfanti Twice winner of the British Blues Awards for Best Acoustic Performer and Best Songwriter as well as countless nominations in other categories.
Acantha Lang A soul artist born and raised in New Orleans with credits including Chaka Khan, Prince and Roy Ayers to name a few.
Cinelli Brothers Pioneers of a new generation of blues, soul and R&B artists.
Mud Morganfield Multi-award-winning artist and son of Muddy Waters, Mud is an established star in the world of blues music.
REGGAE ARTIST
Janet Kay Janet has become one of Britain’s foremost reggae vocalists and in 2003 was voted one of the 100 Great Black Britons.
Carroll Thompson Known as the Queen of Lovers Rock, Carroll’s breakout moment came in 1981 when her debut album Hopelessly in Love sold over one million copies worldwide.
Luciano Jah Messenger Luciano has reigned as the king of conscious reggae music for over two decades.
FEMALE VOCALIST
Mica Paris is one of the UK’s finest and most respected singers with a long career of hit singles and albums marking her out as the undisputed British queen of soul.
Vanessa Haynes One of the lead singers of Incognito, the internationally acclaimed jazz funk band from 2008.
Rebecca Ferguson Award winning British singer / songwriter and TV personality who reached the final of The X Factor in 2010 whilst her debut album Heaven received both commercial and critical success.
Emeli Sande Emeli’s debut album Our Version of Events broke a chart record set by the Beatles and has since won two Brit Awards in 2013, performed an iconic show at Glastonbury, and opened the London 2012 Olympics.
MALE VOCALIST
Leee John Leee came to the world’s attention with his group Imagination which he founded in the early 80s and has since celebrated 30 years in the entertainment industry.
Stephen Triffitt As part of the original cast of The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas, Stephen has performed on both sides of the Atlantic with sell-out shows in Las Vegas and London.
Alexander O’Neal A million-selling American R&B sensation and soul legend. The Mississippi-born singer has had a stellar solo career with 14 UK top 40 singles and three top five UK albums.
Kenny Thomas Platinum-selling, R&B singer and Brit Award nominee for Best British Male Vocalist and Best British Newcomer.
DJ OF THE YEAR
Craig Charles English actor, presenter, comedian, author, poet and world famous DJ.
Ronnie Herel True ambassador of urban music with a decade spinning tunes at the BBC.
George Kay The veteran broadcaster has worked alongside some of the biggest names in radio over the past 30 years.
Mike Read Read’s broadcasting career began in 1976 and he is best known for being a DJ at BBC Radio 1.
Musclehead Lloyd ‘Musclehead’ Saxon is a DJ sound system icon and co-founder of the esteemed Saxon Sound.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH MUSIC
Paul Young English singer, songwriter and musician. Formerly the frontman of the bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he became a teen idol with his solo success in the 80s.
The Real Thing The face of British soul in the 70s, The Real Thing are a quartet of gifted singers from Liverpool who helped the nation find love on the dance floor.
Osibisa Founded in 1969, Osibisa gained enigmatic momentum in the 70s with UK chart hits including “Dance The Body Music” and the iconic “Sunshine Day”.
ROCK GOD Tony Iommi is synonymous with heavy rock, his innovative, de-tuned, dark riffs are considered to be the blueprint for hundreds of bands that followed.
Albert Lee The British-born country-rock artist started his career during the emerging rock’n’roll scene of 60s London and became one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Suzi Quatro The queen of rock, Suzi reached number one in the UK with her singles “Can The Can” and “Devil Gate Drive” in the 70s.
Dionne Warwick Soul singer superstar with the hits “Walk On By” and “I Say A Little Prayer” and later with albums like Dionne and Heartbreaker.
Roy Ayers American funk, soul, and jazz composer, vibraphone player, and music producer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist releasing several albums with Atlantic Records.
BAND OF THE CENTURY
The Brand New Heavies The leading band of London’s acid jazz scene, The Brand New Heavies have translated their love of sophisticated 70s funk grooves into an evolving danceable sound.
Osibisa Founded in 1969, Osibisa gained enigmatic momentum in the 70s with UK chart hits including “Dance The Body Music” and the iconic “Sunshine Day”.
The Real Thing The face of British soul in the 70s, The Real Thing are a quartet of gifted singers from Liverpool who helped the nation find love on the dance floor.
BOISDALE
Live music runs through everything we do at Boisdale, with over 1,250 live jazz, blues and soul performances on Boisdale stages every year with recent performances from The Brand New Heavies, Courtney Pine, Rebecca Ferguson, Lulu, Melanie C, The Zombies, Alexander O’Neal, Horace Andy, Marcia Griffiths, Shola Ama, Gabrielle, Boney M, Nicola Roberts, Suggs and Chrissie Hynde. As a result Boisdale is now the hottest live music restaurant group in London, where guests can enjoy the usual Boisdale magic of the finest British produce, sensational drinks and impeccable service whilst enjoying up close and personal performances from global recording artists, all in some of the most beautiful dining rooms in London. Quite simply Boisdale is the most unique and exciting live music dining experience in London.
BOISDALE MUSIC AWARDS
The Boisdale Music Awards is a celebration of some of the greatest entertainers in the worlds of jazz, blues, soul, pop, rock and reggae. Hosted by one of the most influential broadcasters in the UK, Jools Holland, this is a truly unique and unpredictable occasion that honours extraordinary talent and sees a cross section of genre defining performances for one night only at London’s leading live music restaurant. Previous winners and performers include Dawn Penn, The British Collective, Maxi Priest, Luciano, Judi Jackson, Raye, Lisa Stansfield, Imelda May, Tallia Storm, The Sharmoofers, Mica Paris, Omar and Fleur East.
BOISDALE OF CANARY WHARF
Jools Holland is Boisdale’s Patron of Music presenting the very best in jazz, blues, soul and rock’n’roll. Described as “London’s number one jazz venue” by Tatler Magazine, Boisdale of Canary Wharf is a two-floor venue overlooking the fountains of Cabot Square, which comprises an award-winning restaurant serving modern British food and outstanding wines, four private dining rooms, The Oyster Bar & Grill, First Floor Terrace and the world’s most extensive whiskey bar.
“London’s number one jazz venue” Tatler
“Best Whisky Bar in the World” Whisky Magazine
“A carnivore’s dream” Evening Standard
“Dry aged steaks are incredible” Square Meal
“The world’s most individualistic style bar and restaurant” Hot Ticket
Jem Girl at the Piano 