Finalists for the 2021 Jazz Awards have been announced with a diverse lineup in both the Recorded Music NZ Best Jazz Artist and APRA Best Jazz Composition categories.

In a tightly bunched field Lucien Johnson and Callum Allardice (guitarist for The Jac) are each finalists in both award categories, while Anita Schwabe is a previous winner, and the Unwind quartet includes renowned local jazz luminaries Hayden Chisholm, Norman Meehan, Paul Dyne and Julien Dyne.

The three finalists for this year’s Best Jazz Artist Tui award are:

• The Jac – ‘A Gathering’
• Lucien Johnson – ‘Wax/Wane’
• Unwind – ‘Saffron’

The three finalists for this year’s Best Jazz Composition are: 

• Anita Schwabe – August Augmentation 
• Callum Allardice – Dark Love
• Lucien Johnson – Blue Rain 

The winners of both awards will be announced as part of the Wellington Jazz Festival opening event on June 8.