Yesterday, the presentation of the Austrian Jazz Award in the categories "Best Live Act", "Best Album" and "Best Newcomer" took place at the "Porgy & Bess" in Vienna by Federal Minister Werner Kogler, among others. The prize money was donated by the BMKÖS and awarded by the Austrian Music Council, the "Austrian Jazz Award" was also supported by the City of Vienna, the Jam Music Lab University, Romedius GmbH and the BMEIA.
In the opening prizewinners' concert with "Synesthetic 4" (Best Live Act 2024), Vincent Pongracz (clarinet) and his three bandmates created a top-class and amusing firework display of virtuoso lines, intricate rhythms and bizarre Dadaist video montages.
At the second performance, the septet "E C H O BOOMER", led by bassist and composer Beate Wiesinger, presented pieces from its award-winning album "Timeless Warrior" (best album 2024). Carried by minimalist elegance and sophisticated arrangements, the band surprises with a variety of sounds and original song structures.
Finally, the young saxophonist Yvonne Moriel (best newcomer 2024) provided a brilliant conclusion with her "sweetlife quartet": Earthy dub and hip-hop beats formed the basis for concise themes, gripping improvisations and very special interesting soundscapes.
The Jazz Award was initiated and organized by the Austrian Music Council (ÖMR) together with Ö1 (live broadcast), mica (musicaustria), IG World Music and Porgy & Bess. The driving force was the ex-president of the ÖMR, university professor, composer and pianist Harald Huber, who had already been able to establish the Institute for Popular Music (ipop) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw).
Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport Werner Kogler:
The new Austrian Jazz Award is an important sign of how much we in Austria appreciate the diversity of music and its social power. Music is an attitude to life, a language that connects us with each other – no matter where we come from. It thrives on the freedom and creativity to build bridges, not only between different styles, but also between cultures and generations. I congratulate all the award winners on this award. It's great how young, lively, innovative and creative jazz music presents itself in our country.
There will be an Austrian Jazz Award again next year – the award ceremony will take place on 26th of November 2025 in Carinthia.