BIRMINGHAM’S long-running Jazz & Blues Festival has been named the city’s best event at a prestigious awards ceremony – only months after local government funding cuts threatened its very existence.

The festival, which this year boasted a remarkable 178 live performances at 101 venues, most of them offering free admission, was named ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ at the annual Birmingham Awards.

Picture: Irina Mackie

It was vindication for festival founder Jim Simpson, who took out a personal loan to help keep the show on the road after Birmingham City Council and a number of backers withdrew some £45,000 of support.

“We are so pleased to have been judged the winners of this special trophy, especially given the quality of all the other finalists who we were up against,” said Simpson, owner of Birmingham’s Big Bear Music, and the man who gave Black Sabbath their big break.

Picture: Merlin Daleman

“The award is deserved by everyone at Big Bear Music and by every single one of the 311 musicians from across the UK and abroad who took part in the 2025 Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, plus our ever-loyal audience who turn out every year to support this event.”

Fears that the show might not go on went right down to the wire, with support from new backers, and the generosity of the public, meaning that that the event could go ahead. It was touch and go.

Picture: Merlin Daleman

But the groundswell of support saved the day, with the festival enjoying success in its 41st consecutive year – and Simpson, accompanied by fellow organiser Sarah Yang, had more good news for fans. 

He announced that, although more funding is still required, the event will continue in 2026 after “overwhelming support” this year, with the 42nd festival pencilled in for July 24 to August 2, 2026.

Picture: Irina Mackie

Other events in the running for the award, presented at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, included Birmingham Light Festival, Filmgage International Film Festival, Solihull Summer Fest 2025 and The Jewellery Quarter Festival.

Keep updated on news of the festival at the Big Bear Music website. Lead image by Merlin Daleman.