Nominees and prize winners from all previous editions are listed here. Awardees are marked with a trophy.
2026
1
Vocal
Almut Kühne
Christina Wheeler
Theo Bleckmann
Zuza Jasinska
2
Woodwinds
Camila Nebbia
Peter Ehwald
Regis Molina
Tobias Delius
3
Brass Instruments
Carina Khorkhordina
Lina Allemano
Matthias Lindermayr
Sebastian Studnitzky
4
Piano/Keyboard Instruments
Masako Ohta
Olga Reznichenko
Svetlana Marinchenko
Szabolcs Bognár (Àbáse)
5
String Instruments
Emily Wittbrodt
Maria Reich
Robert Lucaciu
Roman Klobe
6
Drums/Percussion
Evi Filippou
Ludwig Wandinger
Lukas Akintaya (Adeolu)
Mariá Portugal
7
Artist of the Year
In this award category, one artist will be selected from the nominees in the national award categories 1–6, 8, 11–13, 17 and 19. For group projects, the bandleader is taken into account. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Rebekka Salomea (SALOMEA)
8
Large Ensemble of the Year
Fabia Mantwill Orchestra
Gellért Szabó’s Ideal Orchestra
Luise Volkmann & Été Large
MEMENTO ODESA
9
Artist of the Year International
In the category Artist of the Year International, one international artist will be selected from the nominees in the international award categories 14–15 and 18. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Sullivan Fortner
10
Large Ensemble of the Year International
Maria Faust Sacrum Facere
Martin Streule Orchestra
Metropole Orkest
Webber/Morris Big Band
11
Album of the Year
A Reflection Distorts Over Water – Camila Nebbia ft. Marilyn Crispell & Lesley Mok
IN.SIGHT – Fabia Mantwill Orchestra
Bring A Friend – Phil Donkin
Start/Stop – Tobias Hoffmann Trio
12
Debut Album of the Year
Zen Garden – Max Treutner
MYT – Moses Yoofee Trio
Causes Of Imagination – Shogo Seifert’s RAUKE
Untold Stories – YÆLLEE
13
Broadcast Production of the Year
Beata Viscera – Daniel García Trio & NDR Vokalensemble
Jonas Sorgenfrei Quintet Live
The Stories We Tell – Luise Volkmann & Été Large
Enso: On the withered tree a flower blooms – Stefan Schönegg
14
Album of the Year International
Gadabout Season – Brandee Younger
Nilam – ganavya
My Life Matters – Johnathan Blake
Angel Falls – Sylvie Courvoisier & Wadada Leo Smith
15
Debut Album of the Year International
Foureign Language – Maurice Storrer
Bringer of Light – Omrum
City Suite – Rin Seo Collective
Invisible Worker – yonglee & the DOLTANG
16
Festival of the Year
54. moers festival
62. jazzwerkstatt Peitz
A-Minor Festival
Jazzfest Berlin
17
Live Act of the Year
ENEMY
Filippou & Lucaciu
Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq
hilde
18
Live Act of the Year International
Johnathan Blake
Kris Davis Trio
Sullivan Fortner
Vijay Iyer & Wadada Leo Smith Duo
19
Composition/Arrangement of the Year
Square Root of a Dream – Anne Mette Iversen
Das Summen meiner Teile – Max Andrzejewski
We Spin Dizzily – Sebastian Gramss
For Alice – Sophia Göken
20
Journalistic Achievement
“Being Hipp – First Lady of European Jazz” – Anna Schmidt
“Radikale Vielfalt: Das Trickster Orchestra” – Babette Michel
“Folge 8: Make Jazz im Pott great again – mit Matthias Spruch” – Christin Latniak, Nadia Aboulwafi
“Musik, die denkt und sich widerspricht – Lesley Mok im Porträt” – Sophie Emilie Beha
21
Lifetime Achievement
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury selects an award winner directly on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the expert and main jury.
Aki Takase
22
Music Mediation
Groove Inclusion
Jazz Girls Days
Offene Jazz Haus Schule
YOUNG JAZZ 2025 (Ingolstädter Jazztage)
2025
1
Vocal
Enji
Erik Leuthäuser
Heidi Heidelberg
Sera Kalo
2
Woodwinds
Camila Nebbia
Ingrid Laubrock
Johannes Schleiermacher
Luise Volkmann
3
Brass Instruments
Bastian Stein
Dima Bondarev
Lina Allemano
Sebastian Studnitzky
4
Piano/Keyboard Instruments
Aron Ottignon
Kit Downes
Moses Yoofee
Olga Reznichenko
5
String Instruments
Fabiana Striffler
Johan Leijonhufvud
Matthias Pichler
Nick Dunston
6
Drums/Percussion
Bex Burch
Mariá Portugal
Philo Tsoungui
Simon Popp
7
Artist of the Year
In this award category, one artist will be selected from the nominees in the national award categories 1–6, 8, 11–13, 17 and 19. For group projects, the bandleader is taken into account. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Eva Klesse
8
Large Ensemble of the Year
Brigade Futur III
Carl Wittigs Aurora Oktett
Fuchsthone Orchestra
Sonic Interventions
9
Artist of the Year International
In the category Artist of the Year International, one international artist will be selected from the nominees in the international award categories 14–15 and 18. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Marshall Allen
10
Large Ensemble of the Year International
Black Lives
Federico Calcagno Octet
Jihye Lee Orchestra
Synesthetic Octet
11
Album of the Year
Deranged Particles – Felix Henkelhausen
Ellington – Aki Takase & Daniel Erdmann
Love Avatar – Peter Gall
threads to knot – TRAINING with Ruth Goller
12
Newcomer of the Year
Do you remember? – Sonic Interventions
Holy Noon – MAIKA
Mer Tan Itev – Tigran Tatevosyan
Octopetala – RGR
13
Broadcast Production of the Year
Allgäu meets India – Frankfurt Radio Bigband featuring Matthias Schriefl
Colouring Hockets – John Hollenbeck & NDR Bigband
Enso: A Simplified Space – Stefan Schönegg
Mädchen, Frau etc. (Hörspiel und Soundtrack) – Sebastian M. Purfürst, Jackie Thomae, Laura Laabs
14
Album of the Year International
Blues Blood – Immanuel Wilkins
No More Water: The Gospel Of J. Baldwin – Meshell Ndegeocello
ØKSE – ØKSE
The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow – Charles Lloyd
15
Newcomer of the Year International
Abiding Memory – Phillip Golub
Good Intentions – Alden Hellmuth
Haezz – HAEZZ
Partial Lunar Eclipse – So Lieb Quartet
16
Festival of the Year
Jazzfest Berlin
jazzwerkstatt Peitz
moers festival
PENG Festival
17
Live Act of the Year
Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra
Fuasi Abdul Khaliq’s Organ Ensemble
Omer Klein Trio
Sonic Interventions
18
Live Act of the Year International
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Nduduzo Makhathini
Shabaka
Sofia Jernberg
19
Composition/Arrangement of the Year
Etch Nonspirituals/Tellur/Antielectrons/Antiphotons – Elias Stemeseder
PlanetWoman – Birgitta Flick
Rainbows – Tilo Weber
While She Sleeps – Niko Seibold
20
Journalistic Achievement
“Jazz Is My Democracy” – Lorenzo Dolce
“JazzFacts Deutschlandreise” – Deutschlandfunk
“Laut & Leipzig” – Musikjournalistische Medienwerkstatt der 48. Leipziger Jazztage 2024
“Mutige Muster – Die Sängerin und Komponistin Miriam Elhajli” – Sophie Emilie Beha
21
Lifetime Achievement
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury selects an award winner directly on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the expert and main jury.
Uschi Brüning
22
Music Mediation
Groove Inclusion
Jazzpilot*innen
Pinc Music
Shared Planet 9
2024
1
Vocal
Anette von Eichel
Céline Rudolph
Simin Tander
Kat
2
Woodwinds
Bendik Giske
Frank Gratkowski
Camila Nebbia
Angelika Niescier
3
Brass Instruments
Axel Dörner
Matthias Müller
Percy Pursglove
Janning Trumann
4
Piano / Keyboard Instruments
Shuteen Erdenebaatar
Omer Klein
Alexander von Schlippenbach
Moses Yoofee
5
String Instruments
Nick Dunston
Petter Eldh
Lisa Hoppe
Athina Kontou
6
Drums / Perkussion
Max Andrzejewski
Moritz Baumgärtner
Taiko Saito
Mareike Wiening
7
Artist of the Year
In this award category, one artist will be selected from the nominees in the national award categories 1–6, 11–13, 17 and 19. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Bendik Giske
8
Ensemble of the Year
Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra
LIUN + The Science Fiction Band
OpentheBox Trio
Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet
9
Artist of the Year International
In this award category, one international artist will be selected from the nominees in the international award categories 14–15 and 18. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Kenny Barron
10
Ensemble of the Year International
Chris Potter Circuits Trio
David Murray Quartet
Irreversible Entanglements
Steve Lehman & Orchestre National de Jazz
11
Album of the Year
Mirna Bogdanović – Awake
Phillip Dornbuschs Projektor – Re|construct
Anke Helfrich – WE’LL RISE
Monika Roscher Bigband – Witchy Activities And The Maple Death
12
Debut Album of the Year
Jakob Bänsch – Opening
Lisa Hoppe’s YSOP – Faking An Imperfect Utopia
Atrin Madani – Where Are We Now?
Ingen Navn Trio – Elewha
13
Broadcast Production of the Year
“Hinab in den Maelström” von Edgar Allan Poe – Martin Auer Quintett, Christian Brückner, HR2 Kultur
FACE TO FACE – Nikki Iles with the NDR Bigband
A KIND OF … CHORAL MUSIC – MDR Rundfunkchor und Leipziger Jazztage
Songs for Phoenix – NDR Bigband feat. Wu Wei
14
Album of the Year International
Cautious Clay – KARPEH
Lesley Mok – The Living Collection
Jason Moran/BlankFor.ms/Marcus Gilmore – Refract
Meshell Ndegeocello – The Omnichord Real Book
15
Debut Album of the Year International
Adjunct Ensemble – Sovereign Bodies / Ritual Taxonomy
Michał Aftyka – Frukstrakt
Lesley Mok – The Living Collection
Mat Muntz – Phantom Islands
16
Festival of the Year
36. Internationales Jazzfestival Viersen
Magnet Festival
NUEJAZZ Festival
Sparks & Visions
17
Live Act of the Year
Omer Klein Trio
Angelika Niescier
Aki Takase & Daniel Erdmann
Moses Yoofee Trio
18
Live Act of the Year International
Samara Joy
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Tyshawn Sorey
Immanuel Wilkins Quartet
19
Composition/Arrangement of the Year
Fabian Dudek – Protecting A Picture That’s Fading
Kira Linn – Women to Sky
Hans Lüdemann – Collisione Mondiale
Monika Roscher – 8 Prinzessinnen
20
Journalistic Achievement
#Challenge1923 – Ulrich Habersetzer
ARD Jazz Nacht vom Jazzfest Berlin – ARD Jazzredaktionen
Jazzfieber – Reinhard Kungel
Ibrahim Maalouf – Der Viertelton-Entertainer – Jan Paersch
21
Lifetime Achievement
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury directly selects a winner on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the expert jury and the main jury.
22
Special Prize of the Jury
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury directly selects a winner on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the expert jury and the main jury.
The Creative Music Studio, co-founded by Karl Berger
2023
1
Vocal
Cansu Tanrıkulu
Natalie Greffel
Sanni Est
2
Woodwinds
Jakob Manz
Nicole Johänntgen
Volker Holly Schlott
3
Brass Instruments
Antonia Hausmann
Joo Kraus
Matthias Schriefl
4
Piano / Keyboards
Elias Stemeseder
Marlies Debacker
Simon Nabatov
5
Guitar
Keisuke Matsuno
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Peter Meyer
6
Bass
Felix Henkelhausen
Lisa Wulff
Nick Dunston
7
Drums / Percussion
Anika Nilles
Eva Klesse
Günter Baby Sommer
8
Special Instruments
Jean-Louis Matinier
Kathrin Pechlof
Rabih Abou-Khalil
9
Artist of the Year
In this award category, one artist will be selected from the nominees in the national award categories 1–8, 18–21 and 27–28. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated.
Sanni Est
10
Band of the Year
Insomnia Brass Band
Julia Hülsmann Quartet
Olga Reznichenko Trio
11
Large Ensemble of the Year
Essen Jazz Orchestra
Potsa Lotsa XL
Stefan Schultze Large Ensemble
12
Wind Instruments International
Arve Henriksen
Ibrahim Maalouf
Lakecia Benjamin
13
Piano / Keyboards International
Craig Taborn
Jason Moran
Kaja Draksler
14
String Instruments International
Jeff Parker
Sam Gendel
Tomeka Reid
15
Drums / Percussion International
Makaya McCraven
Sun-Mi Hong
Terri Lyne Carrington
16
Artist of the Year International
In the category Artist of the Year International, one international artist will be selected from the nominees in the international award categories 12–15 and 22–24. In addition, each expert jury can propose an artist for this award category who has not already been nominated
Moor Mother
17
Band of the Year International
Black Lives – from Generation to Generation
James Brandon Lewis Quartet
The Comet is Coming
18
Instrumental Album of the Year
Masako Ohta & Matthias Lindermayr – Mmmmh
Melt Trio – Consumer
Pollon – ∆∆∆
19
Vocal Album of the Year
Magnetic Ghost Orchestra – Magnetic Ghost Orchestra
LUAH – MO VI MENTO
Heiner Schmitz & Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra feat. Veronika Morscher – Tales From The Wooden Kingdom
20
Debut Album of the Year
InEvitable – InEvitable
Athina Kontou & Mother – Tzivaeri
Lukas DeRungs – KOSMOS SUITE
21
Broadcast Production of the Year
Das Heimspiel
Martin Auer – Hörspiel | “Die Ballade von Robin Hood” von John von Düffel
Play Jazz: NDR Bigband: Im Konzert mit Julia Hülsmann
22
Instrumental Album of the Year International
Christina Dahl Trio – Souls of the Wind
Martial Solal – Live in Ottobrunn
Wadada Leo Smith / Andrew Cyrille / Qasim Naqvi – Two Centuries
23
Vocal Album of the Year International
Cécile McLorin Salvant – Ghost Song
Camille Bertault & David Helbock – Playground
Daniel Herskedal and Emilie Nicolas – Out of the Fog
24
Debut Album of the Year International
Vicente Hansen Atria – Orlando Furioso
DOMI & JD Beck – NOT TiGHT
Golnar Shahyar (GolNar) – Tear Drop
25
Venue of the Year
Donau115
saxstall Pohrsdorf
Loft Köln
26
Festival of the Year
moers festival
Cologne Jazzweek
Jazzfest Berlin
27
Composition of the Year
Christian Achim Kühn – Tantalos
Diego Pinera – Through Hell
Heidi Bayer – Cookie Dough
28
Arrangement of the Year
Diego Pinera – Bartók
Omer Klein – Oriental Folk Song
Wanja Slavin – Medusa`s Champagne
29
Journalistic Achievement
Julia Neupert, Franziska Buhre – Jazz-Frauen. Wegbereiterinnen im Off
Tobias Rapp – Der mit den Geistern spricht
Babette Michel – DLF Kultur Einstand: Where is home? Der südafrikanische Cellist, Sänger und Komponist Abel Selaocoe
30
Lifetime Achievement
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury directly selects a winner on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the jury of experts and the main jury.
Rolf & Joachim Kühn
31
Special Prize of the Jury
There are no nominees in this award category. The main jury directly selects a winner on the basis of the proposals previously submitted by the jury of experts and the main jury.
Queer Cheer Community for “Jazz” and Improvised Music
2022
1
Vocal
Jelena Kuljić
Fola Dada
Cymin Samawatie
2
Woodwinds
Gebhard Ullmann
Katharina “Tini” Thomsen
Theresia Philipp
3
Brass Instruments
Shannon Barnett
Sebastian Studnitzky
Heidi Bayer
4
Piano / Keyboards
Joachim Kühn
Pablo Held
Michael Wollny
5
Guitar
Kalle Kalima
Ferenc Snétberger
Johan Leijonhufvud
6
Bass
Sebastian Gramss
Robert Landfermann
Phil Donkin
7
Drums / Percussion
Laura Robles
Max Andrzejewski
Oliver Steidle
8
Special Instruments
Aly Keïta
DJ Illvibe aka Vincent von Schlippenbach
Fabiana Striffler
9
Artist of the Year
Charlotte Greve
10
Band of the Year
Punkt.Vrt.Plastik
LELÉKA
Mareike Wiening Quintet
11
Large Ensemble of the Year
Jazzrausch Bigband
Trickster Orchestra
Rebecca Trescher Tentett
12
Wind Instruments International
Emile Parisien
Nubya Garcia
Anat Cohen
13
Piano / Keyboards International
Craig Taborn
Shai Maestro
Sylvie Courvoisier
14
String Instruments International
Brandee Younger
Linda May Han Oh
Gilad Hekselman
15
Drums / Percussion International
Nasheet Waits
Marilyn Mazur
Chris Dave
16
Artist of the Year International
Michael Mayo
17
Band of the Year International
Sons of Kemet
Marcin Wasilewski Trio
Ayumi Tanaka Trio
18
Instrumental Album of the Year
Joachim Kühn – Touch the Light
Nils Wogram – Muse
Slowfox – Freedom
19
Vocal Album of the Year
Efrat Alony – Hollywood isn´t Calling
Christian Brückner / Michael Wollny – Heinrich Heine: Traumbilder
Hard Boiled Wonderland – Music Resistance
20
Debut Album of the Year
Trickster Orchestra – Trickster Orchestra
Olicía – Liquid Lines
Magro – Trippin
21
Broadcast Production of the Year
Clara Haberkamp bei Young Euro Classic – Klassik meets Jazz
Video-Konzert aus dem Studio 2: Monika Roscher Bigband
WDR 3 / States of Play: Sonifikation
22
Instrumental Album of the Year International
James Francies – Purest Form
Charles Lloyd & the Marvels – Tone Poem
Daniel Herskedal – Harbour
23
Vocal Album of the Year International
Gretchen Parlato – Flor
Veronica Swift – This Bitter Earth
Kurt Elling – SuperBlue
24
Debut Album of the Year International
Michael Mayo – Bones
Tijn Wybenga & AM.OK – Brainteaser
Isfar Sarabski – Planet
25
Venue of the Year
Stadtgarten Köln
Jazzschmiede Düsseldorf
Jazzclub A-Trane Berlin
26
Festival of the Year
XJAZZ! Festival
Cologne Jazzweek
moers festival
27
Composition of the Year
Charlotte Greve – Sediments We Move
Rebecca Trescher – Paris Zyklus | The Spirit of the Streets
Efrat Alony – My Shorthand Modes of Perception
28
Arrangement of the Year
Tilo Weber – Se la mia morte brami
Jürgen Friedrich – Infrablue
Gabriel Perez – Allegro Pastorale
29
Journalistic Achievement
Franziska Buhre – The Jazz Aging – Wie ältere Musiker*innen ihren Beruf ausüben
Andrian Kreye – American Idol
Jan Paersch & Stephanie Lottermoser – Jazz Moves
30
Lifetime Achievement
Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky
31
Special Prize of the Jury
Sebastian Gramss’ HARD BOILED WONDERLAND – Music Resistance
2021
1
Vocal
Lucia Cadotsch
Almut Kühne
Rebekka Salomea
2
Woodwinds
Wanja Slavin
Angelika Niscier
Daniel Erdmann
3
Brass Instruments
Nils Wogram
Shannon Barnett
Markus Stockhausen
4
Piano / Keyboards
Johanna Summer
Pablo Held
Aki Takase
5
Guitar
Ronny Graupe
John Schröder
Andreas Willers
6
Bass
Petter Eldh
Eva Kruse
Robert Landfermann
7
Drums / Percussion
Christian Lillinger
Eva Klesse
Max Andrzejewski
8
Special Instruments
Kathrin Pechlof
Christopher Dell
Elisabeth Coudox
9
Artist of the Year
Christian Lillinger
10
Band of the Year
Dell Lillinger Westergaard
KUU!
Phillip Gropper’s Philm
11
Large Ensemble of the Year
Hendrika Entzian +
Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra
Fuchsthone Orchestra
12
Wind Instruments International
Jaimie Branch
Shabaka Hutchings
Joshua Redman
13
Piano / Keyboards International
Tigran Hamasyan
Shai Maestro
Tania Giannouli
14
String Instruments International
Wolfgang Muthspiel
Christian McBride
Kinga Głyk
15
Drums / Percussion International
Brian Blade
Trilok Gurtu
Savannah Harris
16
Artist of the Year International
Tigran Hamasyan
17
Band of the Year International
Snarky Puppy
Shake Stew
Shalosh
18
Instrumental Album of the Year
Markus Stockhausen – Wild Life
Julia Hülsmann Quartet – Not Far From Here
Joachim Kühn – Melodic Ornette Coleman
19
Vocal Album of the Year
Masaa – Irade
Zola Mennenöh – Longing for Belonging
Salomea – Bathing in Flowers
20
Debut Album of the Year
Musina Ebobissé Quintet – Timeprints – Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 79
Johanna Summer – Schugmann Kaleidoskop
Mirna Bogdanovic – Confrontation
21
Broadcast Production of the Year
Bill Laurance & WDR Big Band Cologne – Live at the Philharmonie Cologne
Jazztime Livekonzert – Live vom Birdland Radiofestival – Neuburg an der Donau
Markus Becker – Thoughts about Beethoven (DLF Kultur)
22
Instrumental Album of the Year International
Carla Bley – Life Goes On
Branford Marsalis Quartet – The Secret Between The Shadow And The Soul
The Comet is Coming – Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery
23
Vocal Album of the Year International
Gregory Porter – All Rise
Kandace Springs – The Women Who Raised Me
Elina Duni – Lost Ships
24
Debut Album of the Year International
Nesrine – Nesrine
Joel Ross – King Maker
Immanuel Wilkins – Omega
25
Venue of the Year
Donau115
Jazzclub Unterfahrt
LOFT
26
Festival of the Year
Jazzfest Berlin
44. Leipziger Jazztage “Transitions”
moers festival
27
Composition of the Year
Christian Lillinger -Thür
Florian Ross – Streamwalk
Luise Volkmann – Lush Life
28
Arrangement of the Year
Niels Klein – Yemen
Fabia Mantwill – Ophelia
Claudia Döffinger – Mercedes Benz
29
Journalistic Achievement
Bird Lives – zum 100. Geburtstag von Charlie Parker (Radiosendung SWR)
Hören wir Gutes und reden darüber (Radiosendung BR)
Junger Jazz in Hamburg – Ein Online Portal für die Hamburger Szene
30
Lifetime Achievement
Karsten Jahnke
31
Special Prize of the Jury
Unterfahrt