- Music
- 24 Mar 26
Van Morrison to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at Jazz FM Awards
Widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Morrison will be honoured during the official ceremony in April.
Van Morrison is set to be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Jazz FM Awards, set to take place in London's KOKO on April 16.
Presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, the award will recognise Van Morrison's contribution to music across more than six decades.
The singer will be honoured during the ceremony, hosted by broadcaster, comedian, and actor Ben Bailey Smith (aka Doc Brown). Featuring leading artists from across the worlds of jazz, soul, and blues, the event will celebrate the genre's heritage and evolution.
"Jazz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. I’ve been fortunate to spend my life doing what I believe in, and it’s an honour to receive this recognition from Jazz FM," said Van Morrison.
The Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement Award honours artists whose careers have made a lasting impact on the world of jazz and its wider musical landscape. Presented to musicians whose work has helped shape the evolution of the genre, the award recognises those whose "influence extends far beyond the stage, inspiring generations of artists and audiences around the world," according to the award's description.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Van Morrison has built a catalogue of recordings that blend jazz, soul, blues, and folk. Over the course of his career, he has released over 40 studio albums, earning him multiple Grammy Awards.
Previous recipients of the Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement award include Tony Bennett (2021), Herbie Hancock (2020), Dame Cleo Laine (2018), Pat Metheny (2018), Quincy Jones (2016), and Ahmad Jamal (2013).
"Van Morrison's music occupies a unique space where jazz, soul, blues, and poetry meet," said Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical.
"His body of work has influenced countless artists and continues to resonate with audiences around the world. It is a privilege for the Jazz FM Awards to honour such a singular and enduring talent with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award."
This year’s Jazz FM Award nominees also include jazz quintet Ezra Collective, singer-songwriter Raye, soul and gospel icon Mavis Staples, multi-award-winning vocalist Samara Joy, and more.
Elsewhere, Van Morrison was among the acts who performed at Hot Press' History in the Making 50th anniversary concert in the 3Arena last month. In April, he will perform two exclusive 'lunch and show' concerts at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Read more here.
See the full list of Jazz FM Awards nominees below:
Breakthrough Act of the Year:
Donovan Haffner
Earth-o-Naut
Poppy Daniels
International Jazz Act of the Year:
Linda May Han Oh
Nate Smith
Samara Joy
Blues Act of the Year:
Alice Armstrong
Gary Clark Jr.
Mavis Staples
Soul Act of the Year:
Omar
RAYE
Young Gun Silver Fox
Instrumentalist of the Year:
Joe Webb
Laura Jurd
Shabaka
Vocalist of the Year:
Brigitte Beraha
Marvin Muoneké
Yazmin Lacey
The Innovation Award:
Emma-Jean Thackray
Ezra Collective
Theon Cross
The Collaboration Award:
Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars - Calima
Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - SOMNI
The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival
Album of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE:
Ambrose Akinmusire - honey from a winter stone
Cécile McLorin Salvant – Oh Snap
Emma-Jean Thackray - Weirdo
Fergus McCreadie - The Shieling
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025!
Tyreek McDole - Open Up Your Senses
UK Jazz Act of the Year – PUBLIC VOTE:
Emma Rawicz
Kokoroko
Tom Skinner
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