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PREAMBLE

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.

PURPOSE

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.

THE PRIZE

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.

CATEGORIES

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.

ADVISORY BOARD

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:

Photo: Ana Torres
Aida Baghernejad

Cultural Journalist and Music Critic

Photo: Lena Ganssmann
Bettina Bohle

Director Jazzinstitut Darmstadt, Cultural Manager, Researcher

Kai-Uwe Diaz Philipp

Senior Communication Manager Classical & Jazz Sony Music

Photo: Dovile Sermokas
Silke Eberhard

Saxophonist/Composer, Representative of the German Composers Association

Photo: S. Wieland
Jörg Heidemann

CEO VUT – The Association of Independent Musicians and Music Companies

Photo: ECM
Uli Kempendorff

Musician

Dr. Harald Kisiedu

Musicologist, Author, Saxophonist, Lecturer at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences

Photo: Leon Maria Plecity
Robert Lucaciu

Representative of the German Jazz Union, Musician, Curator

Photo: Arne Reimer
Annika Sautter

Head of Leipziger Jazztage, member of the advisory board for music, Leipzig Cultural Office

Photo: Jens Oschmann
Johanna Schneider

Musician, Vocal Coach, Curator, Co-initiator of PENG Festival, Board Member of DJU (volunteer)

Photo: Stadtgören Fotografie
Nina Thaler

Musician, Organization, and Event in the Syncopation Society, Podcaster

Photo: Mandy Rosenstiel
Steffen Wilde

Management Jazzclub Tonne

FAQ

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.