The program of the German Jazz Prize is preceded by a preamble outlining the vision and goals of the German Jazz Prize. The preamble can be viewed here.

The German Jazz Prize pursues the overarching goal of creating, living and promoting more cultural diversity in musical practice, education, cultural management, as well as in recording and documentation. The prize is intended as an orientation for those interested in jazz from all social groups both domestic and abroad, and is based on the self-conception that jazz and improvised music belong to the cultural educational canon. The German Jazz Prize reflects the music’s social significance, and its award criteria are first and foremost based on artistic considerations.

As contemporary improvisational music drawing from African-American as well as various other global classical and ethnic musical traditions, jazz has long become an independent, original and vibrant part of German music culture. As an Afro-diasporic art form, jazz is formative for the current musical discourse, particularly addressing and artistically reflecting the issues of our time.

The purpose of the German Jazz Prize is to reward innovators of jazz in all its facets, as well as to introduce jazz in new ways to a diverse audience.

The German Jazz Prize aims to

• promote the diversity of jazz in and from Germany

• honor and strengthen exceptional artistic creativity, innovation and achievements in national and international jazz,

• help jazz from Germany achieve even greater worldwide appeal

• lead to a stronger anchoring of jazz in society

• embody and strengthen cultural diversity

• visibly support jazz creators and their networks. To this end, in addition to increased public attention through the German Jazz Prize, its various categories should be appropriately financially endowed.

In order to honor this innovative strength in all its facets, former Minister of State for Culture Prof. Monika Grütters (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media 2013-2021) has launched the German Jazz Prize. As the Federal Government’s central funding institution for the music industry, the Initiative Musik has been entrusted with its realisation.

The first edition of Deutscher Jazzpreis did take place on June 3rd 2021 with the aim of establishing itself as an annually recurring, cultural lighthouse event.

The German Jazz Prize shines the spotlight on the diversity and creativity of the German jazz scene and honours exceptional, artistic and innovative achievements in a national and international context with prizes in 22 categories. The prize winners receive a trophy and prize money of at least €10,000. Nominees who do not win a prize receive at least €1,000 in nomination money.

The concept of the German Jazz Prize is constantly being developed together with an advisory board, which is made up of distinguished representatives of the jazz scene, appointed by the Initiative Musik and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. The advisory board consists of the following members:

Please read the program description carefully first. Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions: FAQ

The program description of the German Jazz Prize can be found here.