Author: UAA Staff

The legendary drummer and fusion pioneer will be honoured at the ceremony at KOKO in London on 24 April

Jazz FM today (17 April) announced that pioneering drummer Billy Cobham will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Jazz FM Awards (in conjunction with PPL and PRS for Music). The award will be presented at the ceremony at KOKO in London on Thursday 24 April, hosted by musician, actor and comedian Ben Bailey Smith (AKA Doc Brown).

Cobham is widely regarded as one of the most important drummers in modern music history. Acclaimed for his groundbreaking work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis, and his own solo albums, Cobham’s unique creative vision helped to define the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s and during a career spanning over five decades he has inspired countless artists across jazz, rock, funk and beyond.

The Jazz FM Lifetime Achievement Award honours musicians whose careers have shaped the landscape of jazz through decades of innovation, influence and artistry. Past recipients include Ahmad Jamal, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dame Cleo Laine and Tony Bennett.

Cobham commented: “It’s been a long, long journey – almost 60 years – and so I’m deeply honoured that I have been recognised in any way, shape or form for my contributions in the small amount that I’ve made to the musical fabric of the jazz community.”

“Billy Cobham’s influence on the world of jazz and modern music is immeasurable. His visionary approach broke new ground in the 1970s and his music continues to resonate today. We are delighted to honour him with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Nick Pitts, Content Director of Jazz FM and Magic Classical.

This year’s Jazz FM Awards will also honour Jamie Cullum, who will receive the Impact Award, and Melody Gardot, who will be presented with the Gold Award.

The 2025 nominees feature a mix of artists including Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Michael Kiwanuka, Shabaka, Samara Joy, Jalen Ngonda, Alice Zawadzki, and corto.alto.

We’ll have a full list on winners next week, as soon as they’re announced – watch this space!

April 1, 2025 – New York, NY – Barrington Levy and Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) with Live Vision Agency (LVA) have announced the 35+ date “Here I Come (A Fi Yuh)” 2025 summer tour in support of the 40th anniversary of Levy’s acclaimed 1985 album, “Here I Come.”

The reggae and dancehall legend known for hits such as “Black Roses,” “Murderer,” and “Here I Come” will kick off the tour in Tucson, Arizona, on June 1 at the Rialto Theater. The summer trek will hit cities such as San Diego, Miami, Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston before concluding in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14. Below is the current list of tour dates with more to be added.

As Barrington Levy prepares for his first U.S. tour since 2016, the reggae legend expresses his excitement for his upcoming single, “A Fi Yuh.” He commented, “The song has already received positive responses. I look forward to its release and to sharing it with audiences across the U.S. during the tour.”

Presale will begin on April 3, and general sales will start on April 4. Tickets to the “Here I Come Tour (A Fi Yuh)” can be purchased at local ticket outlets.

Speaking on the booking of the tour, UAA’s Jay Wright said: “It’s a true honor to represent the legend Barrington Levy.  Curating this tour has been about more than just confirming dates and cities — it’s about reminding the world of his impact. Barrington is one of the most influential voices in reggae history, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help create a moment where both longtime fans and new listeners can experience his music live once again.”

2025 Barrington Levy “Here I Come Tour (A Fi Yuh)” Dates

6/1 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater

6/5 Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom

6/8 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge

6/12 Seattle, WA – Nectar Lounge

6/13 Tacoma, WA – Airport Tavern

6/19 Arcata, CA – Arcata Theatre Lounge

6/20 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone

6/21 Truckee, CA – Truckee Amphitheater

6/22 ​​Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre

6/26 Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall

6/27 San Diego, CA – Beach House

6/28 Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst

7/19 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues

7/22 St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live

7/23 Miami, FL – Miami Beach Bandshell

7/25 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater

7/27 Virginia Beach – Elevation 27

7/31 Washington, D.C. – Howard Theater

8/1 Richmond, VA – Ember Music Hall

8/13 Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

8/14 Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents

8/15 New York, NY – Sony Hall

8/16 Hartford, CT – The Webster

8/22 Gray, ME – Stonehedge

8/23 Burlington, VT – Burlington Fest

8/24 Boston, MA – Middle East

8/26 North Hampton, NH – Bernie’s Beach Bar

8/28 Bar Harbor, ME – 1932 Criterion Theatre

8/30 Westerly, RI – Paddy’s Beach Club

8/31 Martha’s Vineyard, MA- The Cove

9/6 Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage

9/10 Minneapolis, MN – Dakota

9/11 Minneapolis, MN – Dakota

9/14 Chicago, IL – Promontory

*More tour dates are to be added soon. Check local listings for more details.

Levy: One of the great success stories of the 1980s, Barrington Levy, arrived on the dancehall scene and quickly transformed it in his own image. While many DJs and vocalists came and went during this decade, Levy was one of the few with lasting power, continuing to release massive hits decades after his debut. Born in 1964 in Clarendon, Jamaica, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres as a young artist. Their first single, “My Black Girl,” was released in 1977. The following year, Levy launched his solo career with his debut single, “A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love.” In the years that followed, Barrington gained acclaim with early hits such as “A Yah We Deh,” “Shine Eye Gal,” and “Moonlight Lover,” which were later compiled on his 1979 debut album, “Bounty Hunter.” His follow-up album, “Englishman,” solidified his status as a leading reggae star in the early 1980s, achieving notoriety in both Europe and North America. The 1980s and 1990s were prolific periods for Barrington Levy, during which he dominated the reggae and dancehall charts with a plethora of hit singles, including “Under Mi Sensi,” “Murderer,” “Here I Come,” “Dancehall Rock,” “Black Roses,” and “Living Dangerously.” The latter became the biggest reggae song of 1996, spending months at number one on dancehall charts worldwide.

Throughout his career, Barrington Levy has shared the stage with a remarkable lineup of reggae and international music legends, including Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Dennis Brown, John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, U2, Snoop Dogg, and many others.

In 2016, Barrington Levy was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, in 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him 119 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

About Universal Attractions Agency / UAA:

Celebrating 80 years in the music business and founded in 1945 by Ben Bart, Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) is a leading talent agency headquartered in New York City. With a rich history that includes launching the career of legendary soul singer James Brown and representing him for over 40 years, UAA has been at the forefront of the entertainment industry for decades.

Today, UAA continues to guide the careers of prominent artists and entertainers. The agency represents over 250 artists, facilitates performances worldwide, and maintains its status as an industry leader.

UAA’s commitment to personalized attention and professionalism has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner in the entertainment sector, consistently adapting to the evolving landscape of the live music and entertainment industries.

To find more information about Universal Attractions and the agency’s roster, visit the official UAA website.