The Jazz Journalists Association has announced the nominees for the 2026 JJA Jazz Awards, including Mary Halvorson, Ambrose Akinmusire, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Darcy James Argue.

Mary Halvorson has been nominated as Jazz Musician of the Year, Composer of the Year, and Guitarist of the Year, and her sextet Amaryllis is up for Midsize Ensemble of the Year. Several Amaryllis members have been nominated as well—Patricia Brennan (composer, mallet instrumentalist), Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), and Jacob Garchik (trombone)—as is Immanuel WIlkins (alto saxophone), a guest on their latest album, About Ghosts. Halvorson is also nominated for Duo of the Year with Sylvie Courvoisier.

Ambrose Akinmusire has been nominated for Record of the Year, for honey from a winter stone, and Trumpeter of the Year. His next album, due June 12 on Nonesuch, is Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings, a duo record with Mary Halvorson.

Cécile McLorin Salvant has been nominated as Female Vocalist of the Year as well as Duo of the Year, with Sullivan Fortner, who is also up for Jazz Musician of the Year and Pianist of the Year.

Composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue has been nominated as Arranger of the Year. He and his Secret Society ensemble made their Nonesuch Records debut with 2023's Dynamic Maximum Tension, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

Also among this year's nominees are Christian McBride (Jazz Musician of the Year, Bassist of the Year, Electric Bassist of the Year), Brian Blade (Drummer of the Year), Rob Mazurek (Electronics Specialist), and Nels Cline, Bill Frisell, and Pat Metheny (Guitarist of the Year).

Nominees were chosen by the votes of the Professional Journalist Members of the Jazz Journalists Association. For more information and to see the complete list of nominees, visit jjajazzawards.org.