Photos: Gregory Porter and Moses Boyd honoured by Best Jazz MOBO Awards: Videos

Acclaimed US jazz singer Gregory Porter has become the first winner of a MOBO award in 2017 – after he was presented with an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ accolade in London. The intimate ceremony was hosted by saxophonist YolanDa Brown at The Gresham Centre, with Porter performing two songs from his latest album ‘Nat King Cole and Me’, paying tribute to the legendary crooner.

Gregory said: “I am truly privileged to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award from the MOBOs. It is a great honour and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in my career so far. Nat King Cole was my earliest musical inspiration so it seems fitting that I dedicate this award to him.”

CEO Kanya King has also confirmed that they will host the third annual Pre-MOBO event in London’s Boisdale Canary Wharf venue on Monday 20 November, including the Best R&B/Soul, Best Jazz, Best Gospel and Best Reggae category prizes.

The annual pre-MOBO show took place at Boisdale Canary Wharf, with London drummer and producer Moses Boyd named Best Jazz Act – the category partnered by JazzBluesNews.Space.

25 year old Moses has worked and collaborated with the likes of Lonnie Liston Smith, Ed Motta, Sampha, Gilles Peterson and Zara McFarlane (who also performed on the night). It’s the second time Moses has won the award – his first came in 2015 with his long-time collaborator Binker Golding. He said it was humbling to be honoured for a second time and dedicated the win to the burgeoning UK jazz scene.

Other winners last night included Craig David who took home best soul / R&B act, while Volney Morgan & New Ye won best Gospel. Earlier this month, Gregory Porter was given an outstanding contribution to music, while the main MOBO show will take place in Leeds next Wednesday.