Danish Music Awards Blues will take place with its traditional award show on August 12 at Ridehuset in Randers. You can already nominate your blues favorites from the past year. A total of four statuettes and one honorary award will be presented, and the nomination period runs until April 30.

Following strong demand from the community, we can also reveal a new award: Americana Artist of the Year.

To ensure the best possible evaluation of the field, DMA Blues is also seeking jury members through an open call with a deadline on April 13. You can read more and nominate yourself or others here.

Four statuettes – and one honorary award

Anyone with an interest in the blues scene can submit nominations for the show’s awards. This can be done either with a short nomination or with an extended nomination—including audio files, cover artwork, etc. The latter is particularly relevant for management, labels, and other industry professionals. Both types of nominations will be passed on to the jury.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

• Danish Blues Release of the Year

• Blues Live Award

• Out of the Blue Award

• Americana Artist of the Year

Finally, DMA Blues’ partner Jysk Blues Netværk will present the Honorary Award 2026 to a dedicated individual who contributes something truly special to the Danish blues scene.

Read more about the individual categories and submit your nomination below.

DMA Blues is organized by Jazz Danmark, ROSA, Tempi, and Turbinen, Randers, in collaboration with Jysk Blues Netværk and with support from Randers Festuge, DMF – Dansk Musiker Forbund, and DAF – Dansk Artist Forbund.

Who released the Danish blues album of the year in 2026?

To be considered, the release must meet the following criteria:

• The bandleader must be Danish, meaning born in or permanently residing in Denmark.

• The main soloist must be Danish, meaning born in or permanently residing in Denmark, or have a significant connection to Denmark.

• The release must have a minimum duration of 30 minutes and be publicly available.

• Both physical releases and online albums may be nominated.

• The music must not have been previously released.

• The release must have been issued in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026.

Short submission / Expanded submission

One or more soloists or bands may be nominated for the award with a motivated justification. In addition to experienced live performances and concerts, it is once again possible this year to nominate existing online recordings of concerts (YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.) or other live performances available online, provided the full recording has a duration of approximately 25 minutes or more and was recorded in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026.

The nomination must include:

• Name and contact information of the nominator

• Name and contact information of the nominated soloist/band

• A justification (max. 500 characters) for the nomination, for example notable live performances, releases, video recordings, projects, etc. in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

• Examples of where, when, and how the nominated soloist/band stood out during the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

Short submission / Expanded submission

The award is given to a new name or emerging artist who, during the past year, has particularly distinguished themselves—either with a new and distinctive take on a blue musical feeling or by demonstrating exceptional talent, musicality, and understanding of blues music and its related genres.

The nomination must include:

• Name and contact information of the nominator

• Name and contact information of the nominated soloist/band

• A justification (max. 500 characters) for the nomination, for example notable live performances, releases, video recordings, projects, etc. in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

• Examples of where, when, and how the nominated soloist/band stood out during the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

Short submission / Expanded submission 

The award may be given to a band or solo artist who has made a significant mark on the Danish music scene. One or more candidates may be nominated with a motivated justification. The award is presented on the basis of notable album releases, outstanding live performances, or a combination of both.

The nomination must include:

• Name and contact information of the nominator

• Name and contact information of the nominated soloist/band

• A justification (max. 500 characters) for the nomination—with particular focus on album releases, notable live performances, video recordings, projects, etc. in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

• Examples of where, when, and how the nominated soloist/band has distinguished themselves through releases or concerts in the period May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026.

Short submission / Expanded submission