Edith WeUtonga shortlisted for inaugural Folk Album of the Year Award

UK-based bassist and composer Edith WeUtonga has been shortlisted for the inaugural Folk Album of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding folk music across Britain and Ireland.

Her shortlisted album, Varipasi, set for release on 9 December, blends Afro-jazz with traditional Zimbabwean musical roots, marking a meaningful milestone for African arts communities in the UK.

The new award attracted 146 submissions, from which just nine albums were selected by a jury of performers, music specialists and media professionals. All nominees will perform at a live finale in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on 17 March 2026, where the overall winner will be announced.

Inspired by the format of the renowned Mercury Prize, the initiative aims to highlight nine of the most artistically significant albums of 2025. WeUtonga’s inclusion adds a powerful international dimension to the shortlist, reflecting her reputation as one of Southern Africa’s most dynamic contemporary artists.

The award is a collaboration between music charity Sound Roots and the award-winning podcast Folk on Foot, hosted by broadcaster Matthew Bannister.

“In our inaugural year, we’ve been bowled over by the incredible breadth of submissions from across Britain and Ireland. As we look ahead, we’re already planning how to celebrate even more exceptional folk releases. For now, we’re excited to present these outstanding works to the world and to gather in Rochdale Town Hall this March to celebrate the vibrant folk community,” said David Agnew, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sound Roots.

“This amazing shortlist of albums by incredible musicians from such a wide range of backgrounds and ages shows just how vibrant the contemporary folk scene in Britain and Ireland is. It’s impossible not to be hugely excited, inspired and uplifted by this constellation of talent,” added Matthew Bannister, founder and host of Folk on Foot.

Meanwhile, Kellie While, Chair of the Sound Roots Board and Jury Chair, praised the jury’s commitment: “We are so grateful to our jury who have worked tirelessly and with passion over the last two weeks. It was an incredibly difficult job as there were a huge number of albums considered that very much deserve recognition. The nine albums show how vibrant and exciting this year has been for folk music in Britain and Ireland, and we cannot wait for new audiences to discover these brilliant releases.”

WeUtonga’s recognition positions her at the forefront of a growing movement of African artists reshaping the contemporary folk landscape in the UK, bringing Zimbabwean storytelling, rhythms and traditions to an international stage.