TORONTO — Canadian jazz pianist and composer Steve Holt has secured a 2026 nomination from the JUNO Awards for Jazz Album of the Year, a recognition that marks a significant career milestone and underscores renewed attention on his latest recording, IMPACT.
The nomination highlights Holt’s leadership of the Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet and positions the 2025 release among the country’s top jazz recordings. Holt said the recognition came as a surprise.
“IMPACT was made with intention, honesty, and letting great musicians bring the music fully to life. Being nominated for a JUNO is an honour I truly didn’t expect.”
The album represents Holt’s return as a bandleader and composer at the national level, supported by an ensemble of prominent Canadian jazz players: saxophonist Perry White, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, bassist Duncan Hopkins, and drummer Terry Clarke. Each musician brings decades of performance and recording experience, contributing to the album’s intricate arrangements and ensemble cohesion.
Since its release, IMPACT has drawn favourable reviews from international jazz publications, strengthening its profile beyond Canada. Jack Kenny of All About Jazz wrote, “An intense album bursting with creativity. FOUR STARS”. Gordon Jack of Jazz Journal said, “This is Canadian jazz at its finest.” Thierry De Clemensat of Paris Move added, “Impact stands as a vibrant new chapter in Steve Holt’s storied career, rooted in tradition, yet resonating firmly in the now.”
The JUNO recognition reflects both the strength of the album and Holt’s enduring presence in Canada’s jazz sector, which continues to compete for attention alongside larger commercial genres.
Holt’s career spans more than 40 years and includes multiple JUNO nominations. A graduate of McGill University, he was the institution’s first Bachelor of Music student to major in jazz performance, reflecting his early commitment to advancing jazz as a formal academic discipline in Canada. He later studied in New York under acclaimed pianist Kenny Barron, an experience that helped shape his approach to composition and performance.
His debut album, The Lion’s Eyes, released in 1983, also earned JUNO recognition and helped establish his reputation nationally. Over the decades, Holt has performed with internationally recognized jazz figures including Archie Shepp, Larry Coryell, James Moody, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Bob Mover and Michel Urbaniak.
Industry observers say nominations like Holt’s can help sustain visibility for Canadian jazz artists, who often rely on a combination of touring, grants and recognition to maintain recording careers. Awards attention can also generate increased album sales, streaming activity and booking opportunities.
The Canadian jazz market, while smaller than pop or rock segments, remains an important cultural export sector. Recognition from national institutions such as the JUNO Awards can influence programming decisions at festivals, public broadcasters and venues, particularly for veteran musicians returning with new work.
For Holt, the nomination reinforces his standing as a creative force in Canadian jazz and signals continued interest in his compositions.
The 2026 JUNO Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place March 27 in Hamilton, where winners across multiple genres will be honoured. The event is expected to draw national attention to Canada’s diverse music industry and highlight artists ranging from emerging performers to established veterans like Holt.
Whether or not IMPACT ultimately wins, the nomination alone places Holt back in the national spotlight and affirms his role in shaping Canada’s modern jazz landscape.