The biggest night of bass returns with the 2026 Bass Magazine Awards at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California on January 22nd, 2026. This year’s award recipients are packed full of legends including Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Les Claypool of Primus, Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), Laura Lee of Khruangbin, and Blu DeTiger. The evening will feature performances from all recipients, celebrity presenters, and special guests throughout the night. Tickets are limited for this intimate venue, so get yours today!
Tickets are now on sale here: CLICK HERE
Visit the website here: BASSMAGAZINEAWARDS.COM
Presenters, performances, and details will emerge in the coming weeks.
This year the Bass Magazine Awards are partnering with NAMM, as was announced today via NAMM:
NAMM and Bass Magazine Announce 2026 NAMM Show Addition of Annual Bass Magazine Awards Show
One-of-Kind Global Celebration of Bass will Honor Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Dirnt of Green Day and Marcus Miller, along with Future of Bass Award Recipients Laura Lee of Khruangbin and Blu DeTiger
NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, along with Bass Magazine, the world’s leading bass publication, announced today an events partnership heading into the 2026 NAMM Show. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be part of the official NAMM Show lineup and will be held on Thursday, January 22 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA – just a few minutes away from the NAMM Campus.
The event boasts an audience filled with world renowned bass players and musicians, industry experts, gear representatives, and fans from all over the globe. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be honoring Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Dirnt of Green Day Marcus Miller, Laura Lee of Khruangbin, and Blu DeTiger. The annual awards show is the biggest night of bass for the low-end community and music lovers worldwide. The evening celebrates and honors legends of the instrument as well as the new wave of bass trailblazers.
The evening will feature a full lineup of guest presenters and a night of unforgettable performances.
“The NAMM Show will always deliver a variety of incredible events for our members, and the addition of the Bass Magazine Awards Show adds even more value to the 2026 NAMM Show as a must-attend event,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Bass Magazine which will bring another incredible night of live music to the NAMM community.”
“There is nothing like the NAMM Show on this planet and being able to say we are officially part of such an amazing event is unreal,” said Jon D’Auria, Editor-in-Chief of Bass Magazine. “The Bass Magazine Awards Show is the biggest celebration for the Bass community and having the NAMM Show Team as a partner enables us to deliver the most incredible night of live music and awards we have ever produced.”
Bass Magazine’s 2025 Award recipients included: Sting, Justin Chancellor of Tool, John Patitucci, MonoNeon, and Mohini Dey. Award presenters included Nathan East, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Steve Bailey, Verdine White, Tal Wilkenfeld, and Les Claypool. The evening featured performances by Tool, Patitucci, MonoNeon (ft. guest appearances by Les Claypool and guitar virtuoso Oz Noy), Dey, and Scott Mulvahill.
Bass Magazine will also be exhibiting on the main floor at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 22-24, 2026.
2026 Official NAMM Events Schedule will be as follows (January 21-24):
Saturday: Grand Rally for Music Education, Parnelli AwardsNAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, along with Bass Magazine, the world’s leading bass publication, announced today an events partnership heading into the 2026 NAMM Show. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be part of the official NAMM Show lineup and will be held on Thursday, January 22 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA – just a few minutes away from the NAMM Campus.
The event boasts an audience filled with world renowned bass players and musicians, industry experts, gear representatives, and fans from all over the globe. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be honoring Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Dirnt of Green Day Marcus Miller, Laura Lee of Khrungbin, and Blu DeTiger. The annual awards show is the biggest night of bass for the low-end community and music lovers worldwide. The evening celebrates and honors legends of the instrument as well as the new wave of bass trailblazers.
The evening will feature a full lineup of guest presenters and a night of unforgettable performances.
“The NAMM Show will always deliver a variety of incredible events for our members, and the addition of the Bass Magazine Awards Show adds even more value to the 2026 NAMM Show as a must-attend event,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Bass Magazine which will bring another incredible night of live music to the NAMM community.”
“There is nothing like the NAMM Show on this planet and being able to say we are officially part of such an amazing event is unreal,” said Jon D’Auria, Editor-in-Chief of Bass Magazine. “The Bass Magazine Awards Show is the biggest celebration for the Bass community and having the NAMM Show Team as a partner enables us to deliver the most incredible night of live music and awards we have ever produced.”
Bass Magazine’s 2025 Award recipients included: Sting, Justin Chancellor of Tool, John Patitucci, MonoNeon, and Mohini Dey. Award presenters included Nathan East, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Steve Bailey, Verdine White, Tal Wilkenfeld, and Les Claypool. The evening featured performances by Tool, Patitucci, MonoNeon (ft. guest appearances by Les Claypool and guitar virtuoso Oz Noy), Dey, and Scott Mulvahill.
Bass Magazine will also be exhibiting on the main floor at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 22-24, 2026.
2026 Official NAMM Events Schedule will be as follows (January 21-24):
Saturday: Grand Rally for Music Education, Parnelli Awards
Wednesday: NAMM Global Media Day and NAMM Retail Awards
Thursday: Industry Insights, TEC Awards, Bass Magazine Awards Show, Yamaha Main Stage
Friday: She Rocks Awards, Yamaha Main Stage
Wednesday: NAMM Global Media Day and NAMM Retail Awards
Thursday: Industry Insights, TEC Awards, Bass Magazine Awards Show, Yamaha Main Stage
Friday: She Rocks Awards, Yamaha Main Stage
By: Jon D'Auria