It is the first time a sitar player has won in the Award's 35 year history. Image credit: © Robin Clewley.
Leeds-based sitarist and composer Jasdeep Singh Degun was named best instrumentalist at the RPS Awards earlier this March. It is the first time a sitar player has won in its 35 year history.
The award ceremony itself was also historic for the RPS, with the presentations taking place outside of London for the first time in Manchester.
Speaking to the BBC, Jasdeep said that the prize was “testament to the hundreds of Indian classical musicians in this country".
About Jasdeep
Jasdeep is currently signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World Records. He premiered his sitar concerto Arya with the Orchestra of Opera North in 2020, and released his debut album Anomaly in 2021.
As Artist in Residence at Opera North in 2022, Jasdeep was also the composer and co-music director on an acclaimed new version of Monteverdi’s opera Orpheus. In 2023, he won the Asian Achievers’ Art and Culture Award, and Best Newcomer at the Songlines Awards.  Learn more about Jasdeep and keep up to date with his work.
About the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards (RPS)
The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Awards take place each year and showcase inspirational individuals, groups and initiatives in the classical sector, along with special guests and live music. Beginning in 2024, it has pledged to take the event to different UK music venues each year, to meet and welcome more audiences.
Nominations are annually welcomed for 11 of 13 categories: Chamber-Scale Composition, Large-Scale Composition, Conductor, Ensemble, Impact, Instrumentalist, Opera and Music Theatre, Series and Events, Singer, Storytelling, Young Artist. Find out more about the awards and how to nominate for next year.