A HARROW record label founder and jazz pioneer has been honoured at this year's BBC Jazz Awards.

Gary Crosby has helped develop some of the brightest new talents in jazz since founding Dune Records in 1997. He received the award for Services to Jazz in the UK at the awards ceremony held on Thursday night at the Mermaid Theatre in Blackfriars.

The Hon Lord Morris of Handsworth presented Gary with the award, and he said: "Over the years, he has had the vision and ability to make things happen. He has come to help young people develop their careers in jazz, and many great jazz artists owe their careers to this man."

Gary is the bass player from Jazz Jamaica, and has played alongside the likes of Courtney Pine and Orphy Robinson. He founded Dune records to try to offer young jazz players an opportunity to make their break in the music industry.

After receiving his award, Gary was joined on stage for a special surprise performance by past and present players from Tomorrow's Warriors, including Harrow residents Soweto Kinch and Abram Wilson, who were also nominated for awards.

Tomorrow's Warriors is a group set up by Gary to nurture young jazz talent in Britain.

The award ceremony was attended by stars of jazz including Curtis Stigers and Madeleine Peyroux. Many jazz artists were honoured, and Dave Brubeck received a lifetime achievement award. The evening concluded with Dave and his band playing a selection of his songs live from a recording studio in New York in sync with the BBC Big Band in London.