The nominees for the ‘Best Jazz Act’ award at this year’s MOBOs have been announced.

1
Soweto Kinch – ‘Best Jazz Act’ Nominee, 2013

Now in its 18th year, the Music Of Black Origin awards have been a staple of the UK awards circuit for almost two decades, recognizing artists that bring innovation and success to genres traditionally associated with black artists (and previously marginalized by wider British society).

The nominees for ‘Best Jazz Act’ are:

Sons of Kemet
Courtney Pine
Soweto Kinch
Jazz Jamaica
Lineage

Nominations are chosen by an exclusive panel of music ‘experts,’ with the final winners selected by the voting public.

Critically acclaimed pianist Zoe Rahman walked away with the ‘Best Jazz Act’ MOBO last year.

Singer Laura Mvula and rapper Wiley lead the nominations this year, each earning four gongs in what will likely be a close contest between the best of British talent. The awards span a range of genres and types, including ‘Best Hip-Hop Act,’ ‘Best Album,’ and ‘Best International Act,’ which features names more familiar to The Jazz Line’s primarily American audience, like Jay ZJustin Timberlake, and Kanye West.

The most hotly contested category will no doubt be ‘Best Newcomer,’ which played a key role in launching the careers of Emeli Sandé, Rita Ora, and many more.

Click Here to see a full list of categories and nominees.

“We have some truly incredible artists on the shortlist for this year’s event. They demonstrate the diverse range of music that is at the heart of youth culture in Britain and globally,” MOBO Awards founder Kanya King, MBE said in a statement.

“Our aim has always been to give a platform and voice to emerging and established artists, and we celebrate these artists all year round.”

Voting has been open to the public as of this morning. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite artists here: http://www.mobo.com/voting2013

Click over to the next page to learn more about this years ‘Best Jazz Act’ nominees: