The UK Blues Federation awards for 2026 took place on 8th April 2026 at The Stables venue in Wavendon close to Milton Keynes. The venue was a vision of jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth & Dame Cleo Lane with the original version opening in 1970, and the current version opening in October 2000 with the second phase in 2007. It is now home to the Jim Marshall Auditorium which is now regularly used for these awards nights.
The Awards night has the presentations to the winners of each voted for category as well as two which are awarded by the board of the UK Blues Federation. The voted for categories have nominations given by UK Blues Federation members, which gives the top 20 in each category. Then voting is open to everybody which brings us to the final five nominations.
Each year four performances by music nominees are a feature, with the performer’s names being a secret before the night.
The evening was introduced by UK Blues Federation Chair Richard Dunning, with the whole event sponsored by Marshall Amps. He then introduced the compare for the evening Manfred Mann’s Paul Jones.
The first award of the evening was for the Jules Fothergill Young Artist of the Year, sponsored by Terry & Leslie Marshall.
The shortlist was: Jack Austin Despy, Jesse Garwood, Tom Davies, Tom Waters & Zac Schulze with Zac Schulze being announced the winner.
Next up was the Emerging Artist of the Year, sponsored by the Crawdaddy Club and presented by the 2025 winners Blue Nation (Neil Murdock, Luke Weston & Nick Sharman).
The shortlist was: Bison Hip, Burning Rope, Kirris Riviere & The Delta Du Bruit, True Strays & Whisky Flowers with Whisky Flowers being announced the winner.
The next award was for Unsung Hero, decided by the UK Blues Federation Board and was awarded to Jim Simpson for his work in Birmingham including Henry’s Blues House and Big Bear Music.
Next, we had the first live music with Acoustic Act of the Year nominee Sean Taylor performing as a duo with Mike Seal on double Bass and Sean on guitar and vocals with a few of his songs including ‘Mona Lisa’ a song from his new album ‘First Light’ and ‘It Pays to be Cruel’
Following this was the award for International Artist of the year, sponsored by Blues Matters! With editor Stephen Harrison giving the award.
The shortlist was: Bywater Call, Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Muireann Bradley & The Boneshakers with the award going to Joanne Shaw Taylor. Though Joanne is English she has been based in the US for several years so is eligible for this category. As Joanne couldn’t make the award as she is on tour she sent a video message of thanks.
The next category awarded was for Acoustic Blues Act, sponsored by Goin’ Up the Country Blues Club (based in North Wales) who presented the award.
The shortlist was Mark Harrison, Martin Harley, Mississippi MacDonald, Sean Taylor & Trevor Babajack Steger with the award going to Mississippi MacDonald. This was the third time Mac has won this category so he will now be in the UK Blues Federation Hall of Fame.
Then sponsors Paddy McGuire & Jenna Hooson Maguire of Mojos of Colne presented the Festival of the Year with nominees being Alfold Rock & Blues Festival, Broadstairs Blues Bash, Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival Colne, Old Bush Blues & Swanage Blues Festival with the winners being Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival Colne. As a third time winner of this category the winner is now also in the UK Blues Federation Hall of Fame.
Paul Long then stepped up to the podium to introduce the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Marshall. The audience soon worked out that this was for Eric Clapton!. As he was unable to attend the award was accepted on his behalf by Paul Jones.
Then we had the second live act with the Alice Armstrong band (joined by Greg Coulson on keys) giving a great performance with Alice’s great vocals on ‘Blood in the Water’ from her latest EP, the Willie Dickson song ‘Built for Comfort’ and her latest single ‘B-Side’.
The next awards category was for Album of the Year, sponsored by IBBA, presented by Paul Jones with nominees being Catfish – Time to Fly, Doris Brendal & Lee Dunham – Big Blue Sky, Emma Wilson – A Spoonful of Willie Dixon, Mississippi Macdonald – Oli Mac Presents Slim Pickin’ & Will Wilde – The Blues in Still Alive.
The winner was announced as Catfish – Time to Fly which was very well received in the memory of the late Matt Long who passed away from cancer in 2024. It was accepted by Paul & Fiona Long.
The next award for Vocalist of the Year, was presented by Stephen Steinhaus from the Upton Blues Festival as sponsors, who as an American from Chicago emphasised, he didn’t ever vote for Donald!
The all-female list of nominees was Alice Armstrong, Chloe Josephine, Emma Wilson, Kyla Brox & Lindsey Bonnick with winner announced as Alice Armstrong.
This was followed by the Traditional Artist of the Year, Sponsored by Ain’t Nothin’ But… and presented by John Verity.
The nominees were: Connor Selby, Errol Linton, Martin Harley, Mississippi MacDonald & Trevor Babajack Steger with the winner being Connor Selby.
Next, we had the third musical act of the year with Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, who were one of the International Act of the Year nominees. They have been supporting Elles Bailey on her ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ tour. Caitlin was also on her honeymoon to Aaron Austin who joined her on stage on guitar & vocals. Caitlin was born in Detroit but is now based in North Carolina.
They had extended their visit to the UK so they could perform as these awards.
Their set including ‘Here We Go Again’, ‘Coming & Go Blues’ and ‘Haunted by You’ with Caitlin’s expressive vocals.
Then the award for Dave Raven Blues Based Broadcaster of the Year, sponsored by Alfold Festival and presented by Paul Jones.
The nominees were: Elles Bailey, Gary Grainger, Paul Long, Paul Winn & Ben Darwin & Richard Dunning with the winner announced as Elles Bailey. As Elles was away on holiday in Spain she sent a video message of thanks.
Next it was the Club/Venue of the Year, sponsored by Lancashire Blues Archive and presented by Paul Jones.
The nominees were: Boogaloo Blues Club, Fleet, Diseworth Blues Club, Leeds Blues Club, Temperance, Leamington Spa & The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon with the winner announced as The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon with the award accepted by Richard Dunning and his wife Rosalind Dunning-Earp.
Then Paul & Fiona Long presented the Matt Long Instrumentalist of the Year, sponsored by Ain’t Nothin’ But…
The nominees were Greg Coulson, Joe Wilkins, Kev Hickman, Stevie Watts & Will Wilde with Will Wilde winning the category. As he stated he had been nominated every year these awards have been won so nice to finally to win it.
Then Kev Hickman from sponsors the Old School Rehearsal Rooms presented the award for Contemporary Artist of the Year, in his usual amusing style. The nominees were: Alice Armstrong, Aynsley Lister, Dom Martin, Toby Lee & Will Wilde with the winner being announced as Alice Armstrong. As a three times winner of this category Alice has now been inducted into the UK Blues Federation Hall of Fame.
Then it was time for the final award of the night for Band of the Year, sponsored by Valentine Music Promotions, presented by Blues in Britain magazine editor Nicholas John.
The nominees were: Blue Nation, Brave Rival, The Cinelli Brothers, The Milk Men & The Zac Schulze Gang with the winner announced as The Cinelli Brothers. As the band were performing in Chester their father Mimmo Cinelli accepted the award on their behalf.
Then we had the final live act of the night with the very energetic Zac Schulze Gang joined by harmonica player Nigel Feist and their set included the Dr Feelgood number ‘She Does It Right’.
That concluded a very successful evening and the UK Blues Federation will be supporting Emma Wilson as she competes in the European Blues Challenge in Katowice, Poland on 16th – 18th April 2026. Alice Armstrong won this competition for the UK in 2025.