On Tuesday 14th September 2021, Boisdale’s Patron of Music Jools Holland and Ferne McCann hosted The Boisdale Music Awards on the Yamaha Music London stage at Boisdale of Canary Wharf, in celebration of the greatest musicians in jazz, soul, blues, reggae and pop. The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception where the star studded guests including Emeli Sande, Birdy, Kenney Jones, Naughty Boy, Tallia Storm, Suzi Quatro, Omar and Paul Young enjoyed Tequila Codigo 1530 Rosa Paloma cocktails before a three course gala dinner of Boisdale classic dishes served with incredible wines from Terrazas de los Andes.
The electric atmosphere continued with a high-spirited awards ceremony where each deserving winner gave a spectacular and intimate performance. Ferne, Jools and each sponsor welcomed the award winners to present their award certificates and bottles of Glenmorangie X whiskey, Eminente rum or Codigo 1530 tequila.
This made for an evening that consisted of 13 magical performances from some of the best artists across the world, including spontaneous cheers from the crowd demanding ‘one more song’ from the legendary Suzi Quatro.
And for the first time ever the Boisdale Music Awards featured the all new Charlie Watts Award in honour of the legendary Rolling Stones sticksman and to recognise incredible rock and roll drummers and legendary musical talent such as Kenney Jones of the Small Faces and the Who who collected the award on the night.
BOISDALE MUSIC AWARDS 2021 AWARD CATEGORIES AND WINNERS
JAZZ ARTIST Presented by Grace Pearson of Terrazas de los Andes WINNER – Claire Martin The OBE has performed worldwide and is a critically acclaimed tour-de-force on the UK jazz scene.
RUNNER UP – Tom Seals Hailed as the UK’s finest boogie woogie and blues pianist / vocalist. BLUES ARTIST Presented by Jonathan Wingate of Boisdale Life Magazine WINNER – Acantha Lang A soul artist born and raised in New Orleans with credits including Chaka Khan, Prince and Roy Ayers to name a few.
RUNNER UP – Marcus Bonfanti Twice winner of the British Blues Awards for Best Acoustic Performer and Best Songwriter as well as countless nominations in other categories.
REGGAE ARTIST Presented by Elizabeth Fox of Visit Jamaica WINNER – 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.
RUNNER UP – Janet Kay Janet has become one of Britain’s foremost reggae vocalists and in 2003 was voted one of the 100 Great Black Britons.
YOUNG MUSICIAN Presented by Lady Clayton of Glencoe & Lochbar WINNER – Caitlin Budding pop-star and sister to Brit Awards nominated star Birdie. RUNNER UP – Emily Capell Singer and songwriter Emily has brought a new genre of country, ska, doo wopp and pop to the music scene.
DJ OF THE YEAR Presented by Elgin Loane of The Wren Press WINNER – Musclehead Lloyd ‘Musclehead’ Saxon is a DJ sound system icon and co-founder of the esteemed Saxon Sound. RUNNER UP – Mike Read Read’s broadcasting career began in 1976 and he is best known for being a DJ at BBC Radio 1.
INSTRUMENTALIST Presented by Stephen Davies of Yamaha Music London WINNER – 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. RUNNER UP – Ben Waters Boogie Woogie and New Orleans R&B star who has performed at the world’s most iconic venues.
FEMALE VOCALIST Presented by Gordon Mac of Mi-Soul Radio WINNER – 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. RUNNER UP – Mica Paris 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.
MALE VOCALIST Presented by Richard Burge of London Chamber of Commerce & Industry WINNER – 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. RUNNER UP – 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.
SINGER / SONGWRITER Presented by Steve Hallam of Jump Events WINNER – Omar Without doubt one of the greatest soul music talents the UK has ever produced. RUNNER UP – 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.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH MUSIC Supported by Abi Dodds of Tequila Codigo 1530 WINNER – 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. RUNNER UP – 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.
ROCK GOD Presented by Grace Pearson of Eminente Rum WINNER – Tony Iomm. 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.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Presented by Ranald Macdonald of Boisdale Restaurants & Bars WINNER – 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.
CHARLIE WATTS AWARD Presented by Jools Holland and Ferne McCann WINNER – Kenney Jones A living legend of rock music. Founding member of the Small Faces, drummer with the Faces and the Who and member of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame.
BAND OF THE CENTURY Presented by Grace Pearson of Glenmorangie X WINNER – 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”
Jem Girl at the Piano 