Producer Don Leisure wins Welsh Music Prize

Aly Jamal wearing a black t-shirt and blue denim jacket, and a hat. He is looking at the camera and holding the award which is white and silver. Image source, Welsh Music Prize
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Speaking after ceremony, Don Leisure or Aly Jamal called the win "mind-blowing"

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Don Leisure has won the Welsh Music Prize for his album Tyrchu Sain.

The Cardiff-based producer picked up the £10,000 prize for the best album at the event held at the Wales Millennium Centre on Monday evening.

Cardiff musician Pino Palladino, who has played bass guitar for The Who, Elton John and Adele, was also presented with the Welsh Music Inspiration Award

Meanwhile on Saturday, the inaugural Black Welsh Music Awards were held.

Aly Jamal or Don Leisure pictured on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre, with the audience applauding behind, receiving his award from an unnamed female presenter.Image source, Welsh Music Prize
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Don Leisure, receiving his award on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre, was called a 'much respected and adored musician on the Wales scene' by award co-founder, radio presenter Huw Stephens

Don Leisure's record, Tyrchu Sain honours the legacy of Welsh music while reframing it for a new generation.

The album sees Don Leisure, whose real name is Aly Jamal, dig through the archives of Sain Records to create new music from forgotten recordings. The word "trychu" translates as digging.

It features appearances including previous Welsh Music Prize winners Gruff Rhys and Boy Azooga's Dave Newington.

Speaking after ceremony, Don Leisure called the win "mind-blowing" and said his daughter could not wait to show it off at school.

"Making the album was a real voyage of discovery. My ethos is always 'would this song sound good as a hip hop sample?' and so much did.

"There's so much amazing Welsh music of all genres that I'm still discovering," he added.

The shortlist included Adwaith, Breichiau Hir, Buddug, Cerys Hafana, Kelly Lee Owens, KEYS, Melin Melyn, Panic Shack, Sage Todz, Siula, Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn, The Gentle Good and The Tubs.

Pino Palladino wearing a white shirt, black jacket and brown trousers. He is standing on the stage with Huw Stephens. Behind him there is a screen that says 'Pino Palladino, Welsh Music Inspiration Award'. It is translated in Welsh too. Image source, Welsh Music Prize
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Pino Palladino said that it "takes a team to enable my career to last this long"

After a film of Sir Elton John calling him "the greatest bass player out there", Pino Palladino reacted to the recognition of his Welsh Music Inspiration Award saying: "I'm back down in Cardiff Bay where I spent a lot of my youth playing music and getting into mischief.

"It takes a team to enable my career to last this long and still be making music and I'm really enjoying it."

Lily Beau holding her Best New Artist award and celebrating at a tableImage source, Black Welsh Music Awards
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Cardiff-born, Welsh-speaking singer-songwriter Lily Beau, who released her debut EP a year ago, won the best new artist award

Over the weekend, the inaugural Black Welsh Music Awards were held in Cardiff.

Lily Beau won Best New Artist while Kima Otung won Best Single.

Posting on Instagram, Beau described the win as "indescribable".

"This first EP truly was me proving to myself that I can do this, and to get this type of acknowledgment from my community is indescribable".

Kim Otung said she was "touched" by the recognition and thankful for everyone who streamed the single.

Posting on Instagram, Lily Beau described the win as "indescribable".

"This first EP truly was me proving to myself that I can do this, and to get this type of acknowledgment from my community is indescribable".

Kim Otung said she was "touched" by the recognition and thankful for everyone who streamed the single.

Black Welsh Music Awards - full list of winners:

Welsh language track – Aleighcia Scott (Dod o'r Galon)

Afrobeats track – Danorano (No Pressure)

R&B/Soul track – MissFaithHee (Your Name)

Gospel track – Soel Music

Reggae track – Reuel Elijah

New Artist – Lily Beau

Single – Kima Otung (I'm Cute)

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