News • 13.08.2026

DMA Blues 2026: Five awards presented in Randers

DMA Blues 2026 was held at a sold-out Ridehuset in Randers as part of Randers Festuge. The event also marked the 10th anniversary of DMA Blues.

Five awards were presented: four DMA awards and the Jysk Blues Netværk Ildsjælspris. This year’s DMA Blues also introduced a new Americana award for the first time.

Blues Live Award 2026: Sahra da Silva
Sahra da Silva received the Blues Live Award for her strong live performances and many years of work on the Danish blues scene.

The other nominees were HP Lange, Nello And The Helping Hans Blues Band and Mike Andersen.

Danish Blues Release of the Year 2026: Big Creek Slim – Who’s That Snitch
Big Creek Slim received the award for the album Who’s That Snitch, recorded with Brazilian bassist Rodrigo Mantovani. The album combines country blues with inspiration from early Chicago blues.

The other nominees were Sahra da Silva & Hans Knudsen with Back Then, Mojo Hands with GO!GO!GO! and Nello & The Helping Hand Blues Band with All The Goods – Live At Godset.

Americana Award 2026: One-Eyed Mule
One-Eyed Mule became the first recipient of the new Americana Award. The band was formed by Uffe Ipsen and Rasmus Dall 22 years ago and has since released several albums and performed both in Denmark and abroad.

The other nominees were Bye Bye Brenda, Loud Tiger and Ester Brohus.

Ud Af Det Blå Award 2026: David Miilmann
David Miilmann received the Ud Af Det Blå Award. The jury highlighted his virtuosity on slide guitar, his work across a wide range of genres and his bluesy phrasing.

The other nominees were Henrik Johannessen & the Roots, Blicher Hemmer Gadd and Chris Andersen.

Ildsjæl Award 2026: Laust Krudtmejer Nielsen
The new Jysk Blues Netværk Ildsjæl Award went to Laust Krudtmejer Nielsen for his work with Krudtmejer Production and his contribution to the Danish blues scene as a producer, driving force and musician.

After several years of nominations, David Miilmann finally received the Ud Af Det Blå Award, presented here by radio host and more Jesper Nyborg.

Sahra da Silva in high spirits after receiving the statuette for the Blues Live Award.

The music was in safe hands with bassist and bandleader Ida Gormsen, pictured here with saxophone veteran Niels Mathiasen.

David Miilmann was not only named recipient of this year’s Ud Af Det Blå Award – he was also a standout soloist during the evening.

DMA Blues 2026 was organised by Turbinen, Randers, in collaboration with Tempi, Jazz Danmark, ROSA and Jysk Blues Netværk, with support from Randers Festuge, Dansk Musiker Forbund and Dansk Artist Forbund.

This year’s jury was selected through an open call in collaboration with Tempi, JazzDanmark and ROSA. The jury consisted of Thor Boding, Jacob Wandam, Charlie Tambauer, Hannah Larsen, Lea Thorlann, Fatma Zidan, Freja Kristine Veile, Klaus Knakkergaard, Sabina Smailagic, Rasmus Mogensen, Mette Fossing, Christian Borg, Jesper Sønderstrup and Flemming Grangaard.

The music was provided by the house band, featuring Ida Thernø and Ole Frimer on guitar, Palle Hjorth on organ and keys, Ida Gormsen on bass and vocals and as bandleader, Niels Mathiasen on saxophone, and Klaus Menzer on drums. The guest soloists were Ingeline (Inge-Line Kuhr Brasen), HP Lange, David Miilmann, Ole Frimer and Ida Gormsen.