Four categories and festive gala at Dom im Berg / Graz
In recent years, Austria has impressively demonstrated the extraordinary creative and musical potential of its domestic scene. The annual Jazz Prize – an initiative of the Austrian Music Council (ÖMR), mica – music austria, IG world music, Ö1, and Porgy & Bess – serves as an important platform to increase visibility and promote Austria’s vibrant jazz landscape on the international stage. For the 2026 edition, the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), the Graz Region Tourism Association, JAM MUSIC LAB Private University Vienna, and the City of Graz have joined as funding partners. The ORF, Ö1 (live broadcast), and Concerto Magazine will accompany this year’s award as media partners. In addition, the association Stockwerk Jazz in Graz supports the project as a cooperation partner.
Following the successful gala at Casino Velden on November 26, 2025, with 174 submissions and the three award-winning winners Helene Glüxam (Newcomer 2025), Kenji Herbert Trio (Album 2025), and Christian Muthspiel & ORJAZZTRA VIENNA (Live Act 2025), the Austrian Jazz Prize enters its third round. The submission phase begins on May 28, 2026. Artists and projects may upload their entries until August 25, 2026 – the observation period for released works runs from August 26, 2025, to August 25, 2026.
The “High Impact Award,” introduced in 2025, will be presented for the second time, honoring outstanding artists for their special contributions to the development and representation of the Austrian jazz scene both nationally and internationally. From September 1 to September 20, 2026, voting members of the Academy may nominate up to five artists or projects per category. The ten most frequently mentioned entries in each category will be nominated for the 2026 Jazz Prize.
Winners in the categories “Live Act 2026,” “Album 2026,” and “High Impact Award 2026” will each receive a €10,000 prize, a Jazz Prize trophy (ball), and financial support for a follow-up concert. In the “Best Newcomer” category, the prize includes €5,000, a Jazz Prize trophy (ball), and financial support for a follow-up concert. Second and third place projects in the Newcomer, Album, and Live Act categories will each receive €1,000 and a Jazz Prize trophy (ball). Independently of the submission process, the “Austrian Jazz Library” – a digital archive for Austrian jazz productions from January 1, 2022 onwards – remains open year-round. Projects not participating in the competition can also be included and made visible here.
The festive gala will take place on November 28, 2026 at Dom im Berg in Graz. Further information: www.jazzpreis.at
Press contact: Office of the Austrian Jazz Prize Mag. Bettina Ruprechter (Project Management) Tel: +43 664 8294530 Email: office@jazzpreis.at