NORDOFF ROBBINS CROWNS JAMES BAY AND JAKE BUGG O2 SILVER CLEF 2015 AWARD WINNERS

20 May 2015 - Press release

The O2 Silver Clef Awards celebrates 40th Anniversary

Nordoff Robbins is delighted to today announce two new winners of its O2 Silver Clef Awards – James Bay and Jake Bugg. Both artists will collect their awards at the annual star-studded O2 Silver Clef Lunch, to be held on 3 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

Championed by everyone from Taylor Swift to the Rolling Stones, 24-year-old British singer-songwriter James Bay is one of the most-buzzed-about new artists of the year. His debut album Chaos and the Calm went to number one in the UK and number 15 in the US, he received the Brit Awards Critics Choice award earlier this year and in recognition of his emerging fame Nordoff Robbins has crowned James Bay Jack Daniel’s Best Newcomer.

On his award Bay says, “2015 has been such an incredible year for me so far. It is such an honour to be recognised by a charity which is so important to the music industry. Nordoff Robbins do incredible work helping to transform lives with music therapy.”

Nottingham’s Jake Bugg exploded onto the music scene back in 2012 with a number one selling debut album, and citing influences that include Don McLean, Donovan, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, released his follow up album Shangri La a year later. The award nominated solo musician is now the recipient of the Best Male Award.

On his win says, “It’s an honour to be recognized by the country’s leading music therapy charity and to join an incredible list of artists who have won O2 Silver Clef Awards over the last 40 years. I am really looking forward to collecting my award at the event in July and finding out more about Nordoff Robbins.”

Nordoff Robbins has already announced five other winners at the O2 Silver Clef Awards 2015. They are Rita Ora, who will win Best Female, Mark Ronson, American Express Innovation Award, Primal Scream, Investec Icon Award, Iron Maiden, O2 Silver Clef Award and Il Divo who will be awarded the PPL Classical Award. Further winners will be announced in due course.

Since launching in 1976 the O2 Silver Clef Awards have raised more than £8.5 million to fund Nordoff Robbins’ music therapy work.

In the 40 year history of the O2 Silver Clef Lunch, there have been a total of 163 award winners. Some of the biggest names in the music industry have been honoured including David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, The Bee Gees, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Pharrell Williams and many many more.

Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan says, “It is because of events like the O2 Silver Clef Awards that Nordoff Robbins is able to continue to deliver essential music therapy services to vulnerable and isolated people across the UK. Since 1976, the event has brought together artists from all areas of the music industry, raising an incredible £8.5 million in the process.”
 
Senior Agent at CAA and Chair of the O2 Silver Clef Committee Emma Banks says, “It’s a real honour to lead the O2 Silver Clef Committee as we celebrate not only the 40th anniversary of the awards but also the 40th birthday of Nordoff Robbins. I am proud to be part of an event which has to date raised over £8.5 million to help Nordoff Robbins transform many thousands of lives through music therapy.”
 
O2 have been proud sponsors of the O2 Silver Clef Awards for 12 consecutive years and O2’s Nuala Donnelly says, “O2 is incredibly proud to be associated with Nordoff Robbins and to be working with them on their 40th Anniversary.   After 12 years of working together on the O2 Silver Clef Awards our admiration for their work continues to grow and we look forward to helping them raise more much needed funds.”

Michael Boaler, Senior Brand Manager at Jack Daniel’s said: Nordoff Robbins continues to do amazing work in using the power of music to help improve lives, which is why we're delighted to be back at the Silver Clefs and be partners of this excellent initiative. Keep it up guys, you're doing great!