Congratulations are in order for Olivia Cuttill who has been nominated for Jazz Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
Olivia Cuttill. Photo credit: Isabella Cuttill
This accolade, won last year by Ezra Collective trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, recognises emerging talent and a notable presence in the jazz community.
Since graduating from Leeds Conservatoire’s Jazz course in 2023, Olivia has swiftly made a name for herself. A talented trumpeter, composer, and lyricist, Olivia’s music blends modern jazz, neo-soul, funk, and fusion, creating immersive live sets which captivate audiences.
Her latest album …And Writing And Singing And Tunes To Be Swingin’ has attracted national attention, including being named Album of the Week by Jazz FM. Together with her band, Olivia recently played the album live on BBC Radio 3.
Olivia Cuttill playing
Olivia cites her time in Leeds as a big influence on the music that she plays, due to the city’s variety of venues and styles, and met most of her band at the conservatoire. A highlight of her studies was playing alongside American jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Eddie Henderson during a masterclass and supporting him that evening.
Surrounded by music from a young age, Olivia was introduced to the trumpet at age 10. She fell in love with playing six years later when she was introduced to jazz, and since then has fully devoted herself to a life in music.
The Parliamentary Jazz Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, breadth and talent of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom; they are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group and supported by the Musicians’ Union and UK Music.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday 14 October in a ceremony at World Heart Beat in London.
