Established in 1992, the Young Jazz Musician Award recognizes the best of the young talent emerging each year from the various colleges, universities and ensembles.  Nominated by a substantial panel of distinguished jazz musicians and educators, those shortlisted are then invited to perform a typical two-set gig at PizzaExpress, Dean Street.  These young musicians must present a two-set programme with only two hours’ rehearsal time.  They are then judged on individual creativity, musicianship, spontaneity, unobtrusive technical command, how much each performer ‘stimulates’ the next, and overall presentation.

In 2022, it was decided to rename the award to honour the memory of the first winner of the award, renowned vocalist Tina May.

Being a finalist is an achievement in itself, but the winner also receives prize money and other performing opportunities.  These include a guaranteed winner’s gig and have also included performances in the City Music Society, Watford Jazz Junction, the Mansion House and Thames Concerts.

Winners:
2023 Emile Hinton piano
2022 Fergus Quill bass
2021 Daniel Higham trombone
2020 No Award
2019 Sahra Gure
2018 James Davison
2017 Will Barry
2016 Daniel Casimir
2015 Adam King
2014 Moses Boyd
2013 Emma Smith
2012 Laura Jurd
2011 Lewis Wright
2010 Nathaniel Facey
2009 Shane Forbes
2008 Zem Audu
2007 Michael Janisch
2006 Jim Hart
2005 John Escreet
2004 Troy Miller
2003 Ben Hazleton
2002 Leon Greening
2001 Colin Oxley
2000 Tom Cawley
1999 Steve Brown
1998 Jim Watson
1997 Tim Garland
1996 Mark Nightingale
1994 Andy Panayi
1992 Tina May