Jazz Pianist and Composer Lauren Tsamouras Wins 2025 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award
The Jann Rutherford Memorial Award (JRMA) 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 Matt Ottignon, Hinano Fujisaki and Clayton Thomas, and leading her own contemporary jazz duo, Another Green World, alongside bassist Harry Birch.
In awarding the prize to Lauren this year, the judges noted the high quality of applications, making it particularly challenging to select a winner.
The judges were impressed by Lauren's excellence as a jazz instrumentalist and her clearly articulated project idea.
'It’s thrilling to be able to announce Lauren as JRMA’s 20th Anniversary recipient. She’s an outstanding musician with a strong creative vision. Her project is innovative and exciting. We wish her every success.’
Lauren’s music explores the delicate balance between composition and improvisation, creating immersive experiences through innovative textures and instrumental interplay. Her debut album Mytera/Μητέρα (2023) was celebrated for its subtlety and inventiveness, and her upcoming work seeks to deepen this expression through cross-cultural collaboration and regional touring.
With the support of JRMA, Lauren will develop and record a second album of original compositions, tour regionally in NSW, and undertake a professional development residency in Greece. Her plans include collaborating with Greek musicians, incorporating traditional instruments and scales, and strengthening ties between Australian and Greek jazz communities.
The JRMA was established 20 years ago to support young female and gender diverse jazz musicians in memory of pianist and composer Jann Rutherford. Past recipients have gone on to become leaders and innovators in the Australian jazz scene, and Lauren joins this inspiring legacy with a bold and heartfelt vision for the future of her music.
JRMA is incredibly grateful for the continuing support we receive from The Mietta Foundation, Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival, Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival and private donors. Donations help continue the program. To make a tax deductible donation please visit our Donate page
For further information or interview requests, please contact Liz Bowen bowenliz1@gmail.com or phone 0425 355 130