Kaz Hawkins ’ September Hat Trick!

Blues Singer-Songwriter Wins British Blues Award, Pure M All-Ireland Award and Best Studio Album.

Northern Ireland blues darling Kaz Hawkins is no longer its best-kept secret. Our very own musical prodigy won the Pure M Award for 2015 All-Ireland Best Female artist in a ceremony streamed live to the world on 26 September, held in Dublin’s newly revamped Opium Room. Beating nine acts to the prize, the Belfast East Side Arts ambassador flew the flag for Northern Ireland at the Pure M Awards, just as she did when she accepted the prestigious Barry Middleton Award for Emerging Artist at the British Blues Awards on 15 September.

Kaz’s stellar rise to success will be no surprise to the Northern Ireland’s music fiends and blues fans over the world she has been wooing for years with her deep, powerful voice, original song writing and soulful tracks, the latest featured in her Get Ready album which won the Blues Matters’ Writers Poll Best Studio Album of 2015 last week, beating Roger Daltrey and Wilko Johnson. No mean feat for the 42 year-old Belfast woman who owes surviving a life of physical and emotional hardship to music and a larger-than-life personality that doesn’t take setbacks lying down!

On receiving her Pure M award, a delighted Kaz said: “September 2015 has been a wonderful month when 25 years of putting my soul, energy and creativity on music paper and on stage have crystallised into three international awards.

“I feel immensely proud to be in the privileged position to showcase Northern Ireland’s musical talent to the world and I hope to inspire local song writers and performers to be the best they can be, knowing that their dreams can come true, as mine have.

“I am overwhelmed by this triple honour and immensely grateful to my fans for their support, love and unfailing loyalty. It may sound like a cliché but truly, this would not have happened without them.”

Kaz Hawkins will be performing at U105’s Roadhow at Stormont on Saturday 3 October in support of Northern Ireland Hospice and Children’s Hospice. Join us for her first concert as a triple award-winner and support one of Northern Ireland’s favourite charities!