26. April 2026
The 22 award winners of the German Jazz Prize 2026 have been announced
At the German Jazz Prize 2026 ceremony on 25 April in Bremen, 22 individuals, ensembles and projects from the jazz scene were honoured. Among the central awards were the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Aki Takase, Rebekka Salomea as Artist of the Year, and Phil Donkin for Album of the Year. Internationally recognised artists were also honoured, including Sullivan Fortner as International Artist of the Year and […]
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15. April 2026
Aki Takase to receive German Jazz Prize for Lifetime Achievement
In 2026, the German Jazz Prize honours one of the defining figures of contemporary jazz: Aki Takase will receive the German Jazz Prize for Lifetime Achievement. For decades, the Japanese jazz musician has stood for a distinctive musical language that moves between composition and improvisation, across cultural contexts and aesthetic traditions. With this award, the […]
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26. February 2026
Announcement of the Nominees for the German Jazz Prize 2026
The nominees for the 6th edition of the German Jazz Prize have been confirmed. Around 1,200 submissions, 30 jury members and 22 categories illustrate the scale of this year’s edition. In a multi-stage process, an internationally composed Expert and Special Jury selected the artists, productions, festivals, journalistic achievements and music mediation projects that will compete […]
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12. February 2026
Ticket Presales for the German Jazz Prize 2026 Begin
Tickets for the German Jazz Prize 2026 are now available in limited numbers via Rausgegangen. The award ceremony will take place on April 25, 2026, at the Congress Centrum Bremen, as part of the jazzahead! trade fair. The evening will be hosted by Thelma Buabeng and Götz Bühler. While Buabeng will host the award ceremony […]
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27. January 2026
High-Profile Members on the Expert and Special Jury
Also in the sixth edition the nominations, selected from nearly 1,200 submissions, are determined by a 25-member Expert Jury. As an independent body, the Expert Jury brings together expertise from artistic practice, labels and publishing, clubs and festivals, management and agencies, as well as journalism and media. Together, its members reflect the diversity and dynamism […]
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15. October 2025
Application Start for the German Jazz Prize 2026
Today, on October 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. (CET), the online portal for applications for the German Jazz Prize 2026 opens. Until November 30, 2025, applicants can submit entries digitally in eleven categories. Eligible applicants include artists, ensembles, labels, managements, promoters, journalists, festivals, broadcasters, and music mediators from Germany and abroad. The award honors outstanding […]
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10. October 2025
Partnership with the NUEJAZZ Festival Nuremberg
In cooperation with the NUEJAZZ Festival, the German Jazz Prize will present concerts on October 25, 2025, in Nuremberg featuring nominees and award winners from various editions, including the Peter Gall Quintet, the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra, Enji, Jelena Kuljić & Fundamental Interactions feat. Olga Reznichenko, Sera Kalo, as well as Kit Downes and Camila […]
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14. June 2025
22 Awards Celebrating the Diversity of Jazz
This Friday evening, the E-Werk in Cologne hosted the presentation of the German Jazz Prize 2025, celebrating outstanding individuals and projects from the German and international jazz scenes. An international main jury selected this year’s recipients from a pool of 76 nominees across 22 categories – ranging from artistic achievements and album productions to festivals, […]
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13. May 2025
Uschi Brüning honored for Lifetime Achievement
Uschi Brüning will receive the German Jazz Prize 2025 for her Lifetime Achievement. For more than five decades, she has shaped the German music scene with her stylistic versatility, spanning jazz, soul, and chanson. The jury honors her artistic integrity and her lasting influence across generations. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Merit […]
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28. April 2025
Return to Bremen in 2026 as part of jazzahead!
On April 25, 2026, the award ceremony will once again take place as part of the prestigious international jazz fair jazzahead! in Bremen. With this, the German Jazz Prize continues its connection to previous editions in Bremen and strengthens its long-standing partnership with one of the most important gathering points of the global jazz scene.
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28. April 2025
Announcement of Additional Live Acts for the Award Ceremony in Cologne
The German Jazz Prize 2025 will be awarded on June 13th at E-Werk in Cologne. Alongside South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, two more acts have been confirmed. All three artists are nominated for the German Jazz Prize 2025: Nduduzo Makhathini will perform with Omagugu Makhathini, offering a musical glimpse into South African jazz tradition. Philo […]
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3. April 2025
The Main Jury of the German Jazz Prize 2025
The 17 members of the Main Jury, consisting of members of the Expert Jury as well as renowned figures from the jazz scene and the cultural sector, select this year’s award winners in 22 categories. The prize honors outstanding artists from the German and international jazz scene, who will be announced for the first time […]
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3. April 2025
Pre-Sale for the Award Ceremony on June 13 Has Started!
On June 13, 2025, the German Jazz Prize will be awarded for the fifth time! During an exciting award show featuring outstanding live acts, the 22 winners of the German Jazz Prize 2025 will be announced for the first time. Tickets for the award ceremony are available in limited quantities starting today at www.rausgegangen.de.
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11. March 2025
The Nominees for the German Jazz Prize 2025 Have Been Selected
After reviewing and assessing some 1193 submissions, the international expert and special jury have now determined this year’s nominations. The 76 nominees have excelled in various aspects of jazz over the past year, showcasing outstanding artistry, innovation, and impact. Their achievements span music production, live performance, composition, festivals, journalism, and more. A new addition this […]
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20. February 2025
German Federal Election is coming up on February 23rd
Let’s talk about two things that go hand in hand – Jazz and Democracy! As Wynton Marsalis beautifully put it: “Jazz music is the perfect metaphor for democracy. We improvise (our individual rights), we swing (nurturing the common good), and we play the blues (staying optimistic while facing challenges).” * Speaking of democracy in action […]
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18. February 2025
Extensive expertise in the Expert and Special Jury
The decision on the nominations for the German Jazz Prize is once again in the hands of renowned figures from the jazz and improvised music scene. From over 1,000 submissions, the different juries select the nominees in 22 categories. The expert jury unites 25 experts, amongst them artists, journalists and representatives from labels, clubs, festivals, managements […]
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1. December 2024
Application phase for the German Jazz Prize 2025 is now closed!
Six weeks of the application phase have passed, and we are thrilled about the numerous applications from you. It‘s up to the Expert Jury now to decide who will be among the lucky nominees for the German Jazz Prize 2025. We’re excited! The award ceremony for the fifth German Jazz Prize will take place on […]
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9. October 2024
The application phase kicks off on October 15, 2024!
The application phase for the German Jazz Prize 2025 has started. Applications can be submitted in eleven different categories until November 30, 2024, including three new ones. Eligible for submission are outstanding and innovative achievements or projects that were realized/released between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024. Submissions are open to artists, producers, managers, […]
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13. September 2024
Cologne Jazzweek Celebrates German Jazz Prize Winners in Five Concerts
Last Friday, the German Jazz Prize presented five outstanding concerts by award winners and nominees for the first time as part of the Cologne Jazzweek. Two-time award winner Alexander von Schlippenbach captivated the audience at LOFT with the Schlippenbach-Walsdorff Quartet. At the same time, Frank Gratkowski performed with his band In Cahoots and saxophonist Ingrid […]
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28. August 2024
Application Phase for the German Jazz Prize 2025
The application phase for the fifth edition of the German Jazz Prize will run from October 15 to November 30, 2024. A total of eleven categories are open for applications. Artists and ensembles from Germany and abroad, as well as managements, labels, promoters, journalists, broadcasters, festival organizers, and music mediators are invited to submit productions and […]
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28. August 2024
German Jazz Prize Meets Cologne Jazzweek -Five Live Acts on Friday, September 6, 2024
On Friday, September 6, a special highlight awaits you at the Cologne Jazzweek: Five concerts featuring award winners and nominees of the German Jazz Prize will take place that evening! You still have the chance to secure your tickets. For all those who cannot attend in person, there will be a YouTube livestream from the WDR […]
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3. July 2024
New Members of the Advisory Board
In order to constantly adapt the concept of the German Jazz Prize to current developments, a twelve-member advisory board advises the Initiative Musik and the BKM. Until 2026, it will consist of the following high-profile representatives of the jazz scene: You can find more information about the individual advisory board members here.
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3. July 2024
Changes to the Category System
The category system of the German Jazz Prize will feature partly revised and new categories in the next edition. Large Ensemble of the Year (International) Large Ensemble of the Year and Large Ensemble of the Year International replace the categories Ensemble of the Year (International) in the category spectrum and are part of the public […]
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3. July 2024
The German Jazz Prize Kicks Off Its New Edition
The German Jazz Prize will be awarded for the fifth time next year to recognize outstanding artistic achievements in the national and international jazz scene. The fifth edition will introduce changes in the category system as well as a reappointment of the advisory board. From October 15 to November 30, 2024, artists, producers, managers, promoters, […]
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27. May 2024
Aftermovie of the Award Ceremony is Now Online
After an unforgettable evening at the German Jazz Prize award ceremony on April 18, 2024, at the sold-out E-Werk in Cologne, the aftermovie featuring some highlights of the evening and exciting short interviews has now been released: Aftermovie German Jazz Prize 2024 Award Ceremony
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19. April 2024
Many Winners at the Sold-Out E-Werk Cologne
This Thursday evening, Cologne was all about jazz: During a festive live show at the sold-out E-Werk, the German Jazz Prize was presented for the fourth time, honoring exceptional artistic, and innovative achievements in 22 categories. The evening’s highlights included energetic live performances by Angelika Niescier & Alexander Hawkins, the Omer Klein Trio, and Kenny […]
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11. April 2024
Alexander von Schlippenbach Honoured for Lifetime Achievement
On April 18, the German Jazz Prize will be presented at the E-Werk Cologne, honoring outstanding musicians and achievements in the field of jazz, both nationally and internationally, for the fourth time. A first award winner in the category Lifetime Achievement was announced in advance at the opening of jazzahead!, the world’s largest trade fair […]
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7. March 2024
Jazz Highlights in Cologne and Bremen
Award Ceremony on April 18, 2024 At the award ceremony at the E-Werk in Cologne, the audience can expect live performances by the Cologne saxophonist Angelika Niescier in a duo with Alexander Hawkins, the inimitable Omer Klein Trio, and the legendary international jazz pianist and composer Kenny Barron. The evening will be hosted by moderator Hadnet Tesfai […]
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20. February 2024
This is the Jury of the Fourth Edition
Now in its fourth edition, this year’s nominees and award winners for the German Jazz Prize remain in the hands of two highly esteemed juries. Back in January, the expert jury, consisting of 25 prominent figures from the field of jazz and improvised music, selected the nominees for this year’s German Jazz Prize from some […]
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5. February 2024
This Year’s Nominees Have Been Selected!
An incredible 1,150 submissions were reviewed by the international expert jury in the last few weeks, and now the 72 nominations for the German Jazz Prize 2024, which have achieved exceptional artistic and innovative achievements last year, have been determined. In the next step, the main jury will decide who will win one of the […]
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1. December 2023
Application phase over
1.150 submissions for the German Jazz Prize 2024 The application phase for the German Jazz Prize 2024 concluded on November 30. We received 1.150 applications and proposals from the expert jury. In the next stage, the 25-member international expert jury will be tasked with selecting the four nominees in each category from all the submissions. […]
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18. September 2023
New Concept for the Fourth Edition!
On 18 April 2024, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth will award the German Jazz Prize. Two central innovations are taking effect for the fourth edition: The German Jazz Prize will make a stop in Cologne next spring and the category system was sufficiently revised. From now on, the German Jazz […]
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