Awards Nominations Overview

The International Society of Bassists is seeking nominations for the 2027 ISB Awards to be presented during the ISB 2027 Convention week. We invite your nominations.

The ISB Distinguished Achievement Award is given biennially to recognize a lifetime of accomplishment. It is the ISB's highest honor.

Every two years the International Society of Bassists gives Special Recognition Awards to those who have contributed their special skills, knowledge, projects and other positive works in furthering the ISB's mission to Inspire, Educate, and Connect.

• Special Recognition Alternative Styles Performance
• Special Recognition Composition
• Special Recognition Electric Bass Performance
• Special Recognition Historically Informed Performance
• Special Recognition Jazz Performance
• Special Recognition Lutherie
• Special Recognition Orchestra Performance
• Special Recognition Scholarship
• Special Recognition Solo Performance
• Special Recognition Teaching
• Special Recognition Young Bassist Ambassador

Click here to read Tips for Submitting a Successful Nomination.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, September 1, 2026. At that time, nominations will be considered by the International Society of Bassists Awards Selection Committee, made up of former Distinguished Achievement Award honorees and invited ISB leaders.

Nomination Requirements

• Nominations of past honorees for the same award will not be considered. Before determining your nominations, please click here to carefully review the list of past award honorees.
• Nominees must be living at the time of nomination.
• Make certain that the nominee will accept the award, if selected. Do not submit a nomination until you have discussed the nomination with the potential nominee.
• Honorees do not have to be present at the ISB 2027 Convention, though we would certainly welcome the opportunity to honor them in person.

All nominations must be submitted via the online nomination system by Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

If you have any questions, please click here to contact the ISB Office.

Nominations may be made by clicking on the appropriate link(s) below. The appropriate online form must be completed for all nominations. All nominations must be submitted via the online nomination system by Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Selection Process

Nominations for each award may be placed by an individual or organization. The nominator must be a current member of the International Society of Bassists to submit a nomination. Criteria for the nominations are listed below. Completeness of information is essential for consideration. The Awards Selection Committee will make a final selection for each award. All categories will be awarded having met ISB selection criteria and historical high standards of achievement. If, in the judgment of the Committee, no nominees meet the criteria, an award may not be given.

New and Previous Nominations

Click the button below to view your nominations. Please click the appropriate button lower on the page to start a new nomination.

If you have previously begun or submitted a nomination, click the button below to view.

Awards and Criteria for Nomination

This is a list of awards and the questions you will need to answer when making your nomination.

ISB Distinguished Achievement Award

• Description of years active as a bassist.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• Description of significant contributions as a teacher, performer, composer, etc.500 words maximimum. (0-70 points)
• Contributions to the ISB.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)

ISB Special Recognition Alternative Styles Performance

• Description of years active as a bassist and specific elements that qualify performance style as alternative (blues, roots, bluegrass, crossover, experimental, multi-media, avant-garde, electronic, world music, or performance using a non-traditional stringed bass instrument).500 words maximimum. (0-30 points)
• Accomplishments, recordings, awards, competitions.500 words maximimum. (0-40 points)
• Evidence of significance to bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-30 points)

ISB Special Recognition Composition

• Description of years active as a composer.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• List of most significant repertoire for bass.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)
• Description of impact on the bass community, including introduction of innovative bass techniques or compositional techniques to the repertoire.500 words maximimum. (0-70 points)

ISB Special Recognition Electric Bass Performance

• Description of years active as an electric bassist.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• Accomplishments, recordings, awards, competitions.500 words maximimum. (0-50 points)
• Evidence of significance to bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-40 points)

ISB Special Recognition Historically Informed Performance

• Description of years active in historically informed performance as a soloist or member of an ensemble or orchestra.500 words maximimum. (0-30 points)
• Significant contributions (performances, recordings, awards, competitions) to the bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-70 points)

ISB Special Recognition Jazz Performance

• Description of years active as a jazz bassist.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• Accomplishments, recordings, awards, competitions.500 words maximimum. (0-50 points)
• Evidence of significance to bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-40 points)

ISB Special Recognition Lutherie

• Description of years active as a luthier.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• Number of basses made, awards, evidence of innovation and mastery of knowledge and skills as a maker, restorer, repairer, and / or teacher.500 words maximimum. (0-70 points)
• Notable bassists playing the nominee's instruments.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)

ISB Special Recognition Orchestra Performance

• Description of years active as a principal or section member of an orchestra.500 words maximimum. (0-30 points)
• Significant contributions as an orchestra bassist (performances, recordings, awards) to the bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-70 points)

ISB Special Recognition Scholarship

• Description of years active as a researcher, author, and / or historian.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• List of publications and topics.500 words maximimum. (0-50 points)
• Impact on the bass community.500 words maximimum. (0-40 points)

ISB Special Recognition Solo Performance

• Description of years active as a soloist.500 words maximimum. (0-10 points)
• Accomplishments, recordings, awards, competitions.500 words maximimum. (0-50 points)
• Evidence of significance to bass community and the music world at large.500 words maximimum. (0-40 points)

ISB Special Recognition Teaching

• Description of years active as a private studio, classroom and/or college/university/conservatory professor.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)
• Pedagogical impact on the double bass community, awards.500 words maximimum. (0-60 points)
• Evidence of students' success.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)

ISB Special Recognition Young Bassist Ambassador

• Description of years working with pre-college aged bassists as an independent studio or classroom teacher.500 words maximimum. (0-20 points)
• Significant achievements and contributions to the double bass community and the music world at large, including awards, publications, and workshops.500 words maximimum. (0-80 points)