Celebrating Excellence in Music: The2025 Juno Nominees for Classical and Jazz Albums of the Year 

Each year, the music world eagerly anticipates the unveiling of the finest talents and works in the classical and jazz genres. The nominees for the Classical Album of the Year and Jazz Album of the Year categories, recognized for their artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship, reflect a diverse range of styles and achievements. Here's a closer look at the nominees for 2025 in both classical and jazz music. 

Classical Album of the Year (Solo Artist) 

1. Signature – Philip Glass | Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà (Analekta*Naxos/The Orchard) 

2. Messiaen – Barbara Hannigan (Alpha Classics*Naxos) 

3. freezing – Emily D’Angelo (Deutsche Grammophon*Universal) 

4. Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth – India Gailey (Red Shift*Believe) 

5. Williams: Violin Concerto No. 1; Bernstein Serenade – James Ehnes (Pentatone*Naxos/The Orchard) 

The Solo Artist category highlights exceptional individual performances and the compositions that define them. From the mesmerizing minimalism of Philip Glass to the lyrical beauty of Messiaen’s works, these albums represent the versatility and depth of today’s classical soloists. 

Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) 

1. Known To Dreamers: Black Voices in Canadian Art Song – Canadian Art Song Project (Centrediscs*Canadian Music Centre/Naxos) 

2. Rituæls – collectif9 (Analekta*Naxos/The Orchard) 

3. East is East – Infusion Baroque (Leaf*Naxos) 

4. Marie Hubert: Fille du Roy – Karina Gauvin (ATMA*Universal) 

5. Kevin Lau: Under a Veil of Stars – St. John–Mercer–Park Trio (Leaf*Naxos) 

The Small Ensemble category showcases the depth of collaboration in classical music. These albums feature innovative interpretations and compositions, bringing diverse musical traditions and voices to the forefront. Whether through the exploration of Canadian art song or dynamic baroque reimaginings, these works evoke both the past and the present in remarkable ways. 

Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) 

1. Ispiciwin – Luminous Voices (Leaf*Naxos) 

2. Alikeness – Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Sinfonia, conducted by Mark Fewer (Leaf*Naxos) 

3. Sibelius 2 & 5 – Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin (ATMA*Universal) 

4. Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande & Verklärte Nacht – Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conducted by Rafael Payare (Pentatone*Naxos/PIAS) 

5. Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie – Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Gimeno (Harmonia Mundi) 

In the Large Ensemble category, the nominees celebrate the grandeur and majesty of orchestral performances. With works from iconic composers like Sibelius and Messiaen, as well as vibrant new pieces, these albums showcase the power of collaboration in large-scale compositions. From contemporary interpretations to classic masterpieces, these works captivate listeners with their emotional depth and technical brilliance. 

Jazz Album of the Year (Solo) 

1. Montreal Jazz Series 1 (Échanges Synaptiques) – André Leroux (Disques BG*Believe) 

2. The Head of a Mouse – Audrey Ochoa (Chronograph*Fontana North) 

3. Portrait of Right Now – Jocelyn Gould (Independent) 

4. Slice of Life – Larnell Lewis (Independent) 

5. The Antrim Coast – Mark Kelso (Modica) 

The Solo category in jazz features remarkable performances from leading artists pushing the boundaries of the genre. Whether it's the evocative saxophone mastery of André Leroux or the infectious grooves of Larnell Lewis, each of these solo projects brings a distinct voice to the jazz conversation, full of improvisation, storytelling, and technical excellence. 

Jazz Album of the Year (Group) 

1. Time Will Tell – Andy Milne and Unison (Sunnyside*AMPED) 

2. Reverence – Carn Davidson 9 (Independent) 

3. Harbour – Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra (Justin Time*F.A.B./Nettwerk) 

4. Gravity – Jeremy Ledbetter Trio (Independent) 

5. Jaya – Raagaverse (Independent) 

The Group category celebrates the synergy of musicians working together to create a collective voice in jazz. From the intricate arrangements of Andy Milne and Unison to the dynamic interplay within the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, these albums showcase the collaborative spirit of jazz, where each player’s contribution adds layers of complexity and beauty to the music. 

Vocal Jazz Album of the Year 

1. Oh Mother – Andrea Superstein (Cellar*La Reserve) 

2. Hello! How Are You? – Caity Gyorgy (La Reserve*The Orchard) 

3. Winter Song – Kellylee Evans (Independent) 

4. Wintersongs – Laila Biali (Independent/Believe) 

5. Magpie – Sarah Jerrom (TPR*Outside In) 

The Vocal Jazz category highlights some of the finest voices in jazz today. Each of these nominees brings something unique to the table, from Andrea Superstein’s intimate storytelling in Oh Mother to Laila Biali’s hauntingly beautiful Wintersongs. These albums not only showcase vocal dexterity but also emphasize the emotive power of the human voice in the jazz tradition. 

The nominations for the 2025 Classical Album of the Year and Jazz Album of the Year reflect the diversity and vibrancy of both genres. Whether through the virtuosity of solo performers, the artistry of ensembles, or the evocative voices in jazz, each album showcases the commitment to musical excellence that continues to define these artistic communities. As these works resonate with audiences, they reinforce the enduring power of music to move, inspire, and connect. 

Stay tuned for the results and be sure to check out these extraordinary albums from today’s leading classical and jazz musicians!