Australia’s most prestigious jazz competition, the National Jazz Awards have been a highlight of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues each year since the Festival began in 1990.
The Awards are designed to provide encouragement and exposure to young , emerging musicians (up to 36 years of age). The five finalists each year are given the chance to perform with high-level accompanists at Australia’s most important jazz event.
Past winners of the event are:
| Year | Winner | Final nominees | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Barney McAll | Jann Rutherford, Scott Griffiths | Piano |
| 1991 | Mark Fitzgibbon | Jann Rutherford, Cathy Harley | Piano |
| 1992 | Jann Rutherford | Cathy Harley, Jeff Usher | Piano |
| 1993 | Tim Hopkins | Blaine Whittaker, Graeme Norris | Saxophone |
| 1994 | Julien Wilson | Elliott Dalgleish, Lisa Parrott | Saxophone |
| 1995 | Elliott Dalgleish | Jamie Oehlers, Blaine Whittaker | Saxophone |
| 1996 | Scott Tinkler | Phil Slater, James Greening | Brass |
| 1997 | Will Guthrie | Dave Goodman, Danny Fischer | Drums |
| 1998 | Michelle Nicolle | Lily Dior, Martin Breeze | Vocals |
| 1999 | Matt McMahon | Aron Ottignon, Cathy Harley | Piano |
| 2000 | James Muller and Stephen Magnusson (tied) | Carl Dewhurst | Guitar |
| 2001 | Brendan Clarke | Matt Clohesy, Dane Alderson | Bass |
| 2002 | Roger Manins | Jamie Oehlers, Blaine Whittaker | Saxophone |
| 2003 | Phil Slater | Eugene Ball, Paul Williamson | Brass |
| 2004 | Felix Bloxsom | Craig Simon, Dave Goodman | Drums |
| 2005 | Elana Stone | Jo Lawry, Kristin Berardi | Vocals |
| 2006 | Jackson Harrison | Marc Hannaford, Aaron Choulai | Piano |
| 2007 | Aaron Flower | Ben Hauptmann, Hugh Stuckey | Guitar |
| 2008 | Phil Stack | Ben Waples, Sam Anning | bass |
| 2009 | Zac Hurren | Phil Noy, Jacam Manricks | Saxophone |
| 2010 | Eamon McNelis (trumpet) | Matt Jodrell, Nick Garbett | Brass |
| 2011 | Tim Firth | Ben Falle, Dave Goodman | Drums |
| 2012 | Kristin Berardi | Kate Kelsey-Sugg, Liz Tobias | Vocals |
| 2013 | Joseph O’Connor | Steve Barry, Daniel Gassin | Piano |
| 2014 | Carl Morgan | Hugh Stuckey, Peter Koopman | Guitar |
| 2015 | Sam Anning | Alex Boneham, Thomas Botting | Bass |
| 2016 | Mike Rivett | Troy Roberts, Jeremy Rose | Saxophone |
| 2017 | James Macauley (trombone) | Niran Dasika, Thomas Avgenicos | Brass |
| 2018 | Alex Hirlian | Angus Mason, Oli Nelson | Drums |
| 2019 | No awards held | ||
| 2020 | Lauren Henderson | Josh Kyle, Jess Spina | Vocals |
| 2021 | Matthew Thomson | Matthew Sheens, Steve Barry | Piano |
| 2022 | Peter Koopman | Joshua Meader, Julius Schwing | Guitar |
