BIRMINGHAM Jazz Festival boss Jim Simpson has been named this year’s Unsung Hero at the prestigious UK Blues Awards after beating the odds to ensure the show must go on despite cruel funding cuts.

The future of the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival looked bleak last year when the cash-strapped City Council and a number of backers pulled some £45,000 of support, but Simpson refused to buckle.

The former Black Sabbath manager took out a personal loan and attracted new support to keep the festival alive, and it went ahead successfully, serving up 178 live performances at 101 venues, most of them offering free admission.

The Sax Pistols at the 2025 Festival : Merlin Daleman

Now, plans for the 2026 festival are well advanced, and the 42^nd consecutive Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival will be staged this summer, running from Friday July 24 to Sunday August 2. 

Simpson was honoured at the UK Blues Federation’s awards ceremony in Milton Keynes last week, hosted by Paul Jones, former frontman of Manfred Mann and longtime presenter of Radio 2’s The Blues Show.

Jones told the audience: “The first of our special awards pays tribute to those who tirelessly work behind the scenes, out of the spotlight: promoting, encouraging, supporting and nurturing blues music in the UK over a prolonged period.

Jim Simpson receives the Unsung Hero Award: Merlin Daleman

“This year’s Unsung Hero award goes to the founder of Big Bear Records and the director of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.”

Jones told how Simpson, working as a photographer at what was then the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology – now Aston University –  formed The New Magnolia Jazz Band, opening for the likes of Humphrey Lyttelton and Kenny Ball.

His introduction to the blues was when his mother took him to see Big Bill Broonzy in 1952, and at the Students’ Union he booked artists such as Buddy Guy, Champion Jack Dupree and Jesse Fuller.

Jim Simpson at The Crown, original home of Henry’s Blueshouse

After playing the trumpet himself for rhythm and blues band Locomotive, Simpson opened Henry’s Blueshouse in Birmingham in 1968, where early members included two Brummies named John Osbourne and Anthony Iommi.

“They brought their two mates Terry Butler and Bill Ward and convinced Simpson to promote a gig with their blues band, Earth,” said Jones.

“He became the manager of this band, soon renamed Black Sabbath, and brought them success with their first two hit albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, and their first hit single: Paranoid.

Early picture of Black Sabbath taken by Jim Simpson

“Having parted from the band, he turned all his energy into the blues, bringing top American blues artists to this country, and during this period released 43 albums of American blues on his Big Bear Records label.

“He also loved jazz and swing and in 1985 promoted the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, followed by the Jazz Rag magazine – and they both still exist to this day. After all those decades, Henry’s Blueshouse still presents a weekly gig, promoting both British and American touring bands.”

Tipitina live at the 2025 festival : Irina Mackie

Read more: Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival named event of year

As well as Henry’s Blueshouse – now at Snobs Bar – Big Bear Music also runs weekly gigs Birmingham Rocks at Snobs, and Brasshouse Rocks Friday at The Brasshouse in Birmingham, and a branch of Henry’s Blueshouse every Friday in West Bromwich Indoor Market.

“This is quite staggering,” said Simpson. “Thanks very much indeed. I’m totally overcome!”

For the latest news on Big Bear’s gigs and the 2026 festival head to Big Bear Music. Lead image: Moe Hickman.