Image credit Anne Peeters Photography

The Jann Rutherford Memorial Award is delighted to announce pianist, composer and improviser Lauren Tsamouras as the recipient of the 2025 award.

Based in Sydney/Warrang, Lauren has been an active contributor to the Australian jazz community for the past eight years, performing with artists including Hannah James (2011 JRMA winner and leader of Pharos), Matt Ottignon, Hinano Fujisaki and Clayton Thomas, and leading her own contemporary jazz duo, Another Green World, alongside bassist Harry Birch.

With the support of JRMA, Lauren will develop and record a second album of original compositions, tour regionally in NSW, and undertake professional development in Greece. Her plans include collaborating with Greek musicians, incorporating traditional instruments and scales, and strengthening ties between Australian and Greek jazz communities.