Finalists announced for 2026 APRA Best Jazz Composition Award
It’s a pleasure to announce the finalists for the 2026 APRA Best Jazz Composition Award which will be presented in Te Whanganui-a-Tara this October.
This year’s finalists are all first-time nominees, with their compositions spanning inspirations from monumental construction, uninhibited joy, and personal self-discovery.
2026 finalists:
- Delta Works, composed by Alex van den Broek, performed by Symposium Detect
- Lunar Sparks, composed by Tyaan Singh, performed by Tyaan Singh, Louisa Williamson, Hayden Afele Nickel, Callum Allardice, Seth Boy, Shaun Anderson
- Mr. Spirit, composed by Alex Keatley, performed by Alex Keatley and ensemble
The winner will be announced at a private event on October 18th. APRA members are invited to join the celebration and RSVP here. More about each finalist below.
Delta Works by Alex van den Broek
Alex van den Broek is a composer, arranger, educator, and sound engineer living and working in Ōtautahi Christchurch. As a composer he has written for the NZ Trio, Mark Menzies, Justin DeHart, Hannah Darroch, Symposium Dectet, Song Company, and numerous community ensembles. He has twice been selected for the NZSO x SOUNZ composer sessions. Recent arranging highlights include Don McGlashan, Lawrence Arabia, Loopy Tunes, Bella Kalolo, Jennine Bailey, Naomi Ferguson, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonic. Alex is also a commited and passionate educator, creating educational content for his YouTube channel GilEvansInsideOut which is used in universities from Europe to South America.
Alex is a first-time finalist this year for his composition Delta Works, performed by Symposium Detect, an ensemble which he co-founded with fellow jazz explorer Tom Rainey. Delta Works is inspired by the the largest flood protection system in the world, the Dutch Delta Works, constructed between 1954 – 1997. Alex van den Broek symbolises this monumental construction with strong brass chords moving in unexpected ways, while piano, flute, bass weave in and out; sounding at times discordant, at others consonant. The piece features stunning alto sax work from Gwyn Reynolds and explores extremes, contrasting dark and moody textures with bright and triumphant harmonies.
Listen to Delta Works | Learn more about Alex van den Broek
Lunar Sparks by Tyaan Singh
Tyaan Singh is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He grew up on the Kāpiti coast, where he spent his teen years developing a wide range of musical interests across jazz, rock, reggae and classical music, inspired by his peers and the local music scene. In recent years Tyaan has worked as a saxophonist in jazz with local artists including Louisa Williamson and Umar Zakaria, and in a more pop music direction with artists including Dallas Tamaira, and LA Women. As a bass player, Tyaan has focussed more on RnB and hip hop, working with artists including Zoe Moon and Mā. Although Tyaan's musical life has been varied, he primarily considers himself a jazz musician, as the energy and values learned through jazz underpin all of his work, with a focus on emotional authenticity, intensity, and support and connection between musicians.
Lunar Sparks is a track from Tyaan's album ‘Imaginary Friends’ released in 2025. With this album, Tyaan pushes himself as a composer by not following too many compositional rules or conventions, hoping to build a sense of surreality through emotionally intuitive decision making. Lunar Sparks is a frantic and frenzied attempt to capture the almost delusionally positive experience of uninhibited joy.
Listen to Lunar Sparks | Follow Tyaan Singh
Mr. Spirit by Alex Keatley
Alex Keatley is an Auckland-born double bassist, composer, and bandleader whose work is deeply inspired by the rich musical traditions of South African jazz. During his studies at the University of Auckland, Alex developed a strong connection to South Africa’s distinctive rhythms, melodies, improvisation, and cultural storytelling; it felt like home to him. Inspired by artists including Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, and Nduduzo Makhathini, Alex created Sounds of the Motherland, a project that celebrates and shares the diverse sounds of South African jazz. The project culminated in his debut album of the same name, recorded alongside his friends and classmates, and includes Mr. Spirit which has earned him a nomination for Best Jazz Composition Award this year.
Mr. Spirit is a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and recognition. In the beginning, the meditative piano underneath the harmony of the horns invites solemn reflection; the only words spoken are “I can't please everyone”. Departing from this realisation, it opens into a hypnotic 12/8 groove with a dark yet strong melody. Now open and accepting of who we are, we return to the first motif but with a different perspective. This piece was performed by Alex (double bass), Na'amah Cheiban (vocals), Francesca Parussini (flute), Jenna Aspeling (alto saxophone), Will Ralph (tenor saxophone), Andrew Isdale (tenor saxophone), Iggy Nama Ruci (baritone saxophone), Ryan Tomov (piano), and Finn McNeil (drums).
Listen to Mr Spirit | Follow Alex Keatley
This is the 11th year the APRA Best Jazz Composition Award has been presented annually, and we’re excited to once again celebrate the award in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington.
Special thanks to Wellington Jazz Festival.
Learn more about the Best Jazz Composition Award and see past winners here.
See the 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival programme and purchase tickets here.
