Competition

become one of the Jazz juniors winners

They played with us

Galery of Jazz Juniors competition winners

... and many others!

Competition history

Founded in 1976, the International Contest of Young Jazz Ensembles Jazz Juniors has always been strongly entwined with the history of Polish jazz, since it is at the Jazz Juniors where the most famous Polish artists – such as Leszek Możdżer, Krzysztof Ścierański, Zbigniew Wegehaupt, Marek Bałata, Niedziela and Pospieszalski brothers, and New Presentation, Walk Away and Miłość bands – made their first steps. This was years ago, yet Jazz Juniors still belongs to the spearhead of jazz events, whose winners make their presence ever more visible on international music stages. Enough tomention that this is the competition that recently allowed the discovery of such personalities and bands as High Definition, N.S.I., Levity, Bartosz Dworak, Paweł Kaczmarczyk, Piotr Orzechowski “Pianohooligan” and Tomasz Chyła Quintet. 
Since 2012 Jazz Juniors has efficiently developed its operation focused around the idea of international exchange, focused on the promotion of competition winners. Thanks to the recommendations and involvement of members of the international jury, Jazz Juniors winners receive an opportunity to go on international tours, shine brightly on the dazzling stages of great festivals all around the world, and set up cooperation with prestigious labels and artistic agencies that offer a perfect start and international promotion to young musicians. 

Jury of the Competition 

Adam Pierończyk – chairman of the jury

Leading Polish jazz saxophonist, composer and band leader. One of the most interesting and creative European musicians as well as one of the greatest innovators in Polish jazz according to international press. He performs in all parts of the world and has won numerous awards. In 2015 he was named, for the 16th consecutive year, as Jazz Forum magazine’s Best Soprano Saxophonist.

He has been nominated 18 times for Poland’s Fryderyk award (Polish Grammy) in a total of 14 categories, winning the 2 most important statuettes – Jazz Musician of The Year and Jazz Album of The Year.

He served as Artistic Director for the Jazz aux Oudayas festival in Rabat, Morocco in 2005-2006, and as Artistic Director of the Sopot Jazz Festival in Poland – 2011-2015. Since 2019 he is an Artistic Director and Artist in Residence of Jazz Juniors Festival in Kraków.

Nelson Veras

Brazilian jazz guitarist and composer

Jorge Vistel

Trumpet player, composer and educator, born in 1982 in Santiago de Cuba

Maikel Vistel

Born in Santiago de Cuba saxophone player, composer and educator

Florian Arbenz

Swiss drummer, percussionist and composer

Take part in Jazz Juniors  

Sign up for Jazz juniors competition