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Gary Crosby OBE has been announced as the recipient of The Queen’s Medal for Music 2018, making him the first-ever jazz musician to receive the prestigious award.

The Queen personally presented the award to Gary – double bassist, bandleader and Co-Founder & Artistic Director of Tomorrow’s Warriors – in a special Audience at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 10 July 2019.

 

The honour is in recognition not just of Gary’s prodigious musical talents, but of the impact he has had on the fabric of jazz creation in the UK.

Chair of the award committee and Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir commented –

“Looking around the UK’s currently thriving jazz scene, the name of Gary Crosby is constantly cited as the person who has encouraged a whole generation to look again at jazz and become involved. Gary has achieved this over many hard-working years, as part of his own practice as a bass player and teacher. His career is an inspiration to musicians and educators in every area of music, and I am delighted to see him awarded The Queen’s Medal for Music in recognition of this.”

 

On receiving the award, Gary Crosby commented –

“I’m delighted and honoured to receive The Queen’s Medal for Music, and humbled to join such a distinguished group of Medal recipients. It’s wonderful to receive professional recognition, though I believe, more than anything, it recognises the transformative impact Tomorrow’s Warriors has had on the many young jazz musicians we’ve worked with over the years, and the contribution to making our industry and audiences more diverse and inclusive.”

First presented in 2005, The Queen’s Medal for Music is presented annually to an outstanding individual or group of musicians who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation. Former recipients include Sir Charles Mackerras CBE, Nicola Benedetti CBE, Sir Bryn Terfel CBE and Thea Musgrave CBE.

In recognition of Gary’s contribution to music education and his 15-year relationship with Trinity Laban, the Conservatoire awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in December 2018, which was celebrated in May 2019 with a specially curated programme of live music by an all-star ensemble of British jazz artists.

Tomorrow’s Warriors and Trinity Laban are organisations which have laid the foundations for much of the current UK jazz scene. Together, we will continue to inspire and support future generations to pursue excellence, reach beyond boundaries and achieve successful, sustainable careers as leaders on the world stage.

Gary’s other awards include an OBE for Services to Music, a BBC Radio Jazz Award for Services to Jazz, a Parliamentary Jazz Award for Music Education, a Special Parliamentary Jazz Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jazz and a BASCA Gold Badge Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry.

Find out more about our Honorary Fellows.

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Image credit: Tas Kyprianou