The finalists of the 50th edition of the Jazz Juniors Competition have been announced! A record number of entries and an international jury for the anniversary edition. The event kicks off on 1 October in Krakow
A major celebration of jazz in Krakow is just around the corner. The organisers have announced the results of the call for entries for the Jazz Juniors Competition. The anniversary, 50th edition attracted a record number of submissions — more than 50 bands and solo artists from around the world competed for the opportunity to perform before an international jury during the competition finals.
After carefully reviewing the submitted materials, the jury selected six finalists who will perform before the Krakow audience on 1 October 2026 at Cricoteka. The finalists include bands and solo artists from Poland and abroad: Contraphonic (Łódź), Małgorzata Hoppe (Gdańsk), Quietet (Krakow), Glass Quintet (Wrocław), Hvmble (Warsaw), and Men In Love Run Hard (Italy).
The entries for the anniversary edition of Jazz Juniors were assessed by an international jury comprising Nils Petter Molvær — Norwegian trumpeter and composer, one of the pioneers of nu-jazz and, for the past three years, Artistic Director of Jazz Juniors; Siv Øyunn Kjenstad — Norwegian drummer, vocalist, composer and rapper; and Piotr Orzechowski “Pianohooligan” — pianist and composer, one of the most distinctive voices on the contemporary Polish improvised music scene and a former Jazz Juniors Competition winner.
“When you listen to all these bands and then have to choose someone who will make it to the final, and perhaps go on to win the competition, you realise just how difficult the task is. Listening to all these recordings, I heard so many great, wonderful musicians, and it was truly a very difficult job. So I would like to say something to everyone who did not make it to the final: don’t give up, keep following your own path, because you are extraordinary musicians,” emphasises Nils Petter Molvær, Chair of the Jury and Artistic Director of Jazz Juniors.
The same jury will evaluate the young artists during the final auditions on 1 October at Cricoteka in Krakow. Admission to this part of the anniversary edition of Jazz Juniors is free.
The winners of the 50th Jazz Juniors Competition will receive the following prizes:
· Grand Prix — PLN 15,000
· Second Prize — PLN 6,000
· Third Prize — PLN 4,000
But the Jazz Juniors Competition is about more than financial prizes. In this anniversary edition, particular importance is attached to the International Partners Network, which continues to expand. New members offer additional prizes in the form of invitations to perform at international concerts, opening up opportunities for young musicians to present their work outside Poland.
This year’s international partners include:
· Branislav Dejanovic — Nisville Jazz Festival (Serbia)
· Enrico Moccia — Fara Music Festival & Emme Record Label (Italy)
· Zsolt Hernádi — Budapest Music Center (Hungary)
· Nikola Bluzik — Bluzika Jazz Fest Belgrade (Serbia)
· Michael Brovkine — Made in New York Jazz Festival & Competition (USA)
· Vinko Mihajlovic — Petrovac Jazz Festival (Montenegro)
· Saso Popovski — Jazz Factory Festival (North Macedonia)
· Vojislav Pantić — Pancevo Jazz Festival & Belgrade Jazz Festival (Serbia)
· Tina Lešničar — Jazz Festival Ljubljana (Slovenia)
· Dragan Vlajnic — Kikinda Jazz Fest (Serbia)
This international network of partners strengthens the idea of Jazz Juniors as a competition that not only identifies young talent, but also helps artists develop their careers, gain stage experience and build connections within the European jazz scene and beyond.
The anniversary edition of the Jazz Juniors Competition marks a special moment in the history of an event that has supported young musicians and promoted the development of jazz for five decades. The record number of entries, the international jury and the expanded cooperation with international partners all demonstrate that the competition continues to respond to the needs of successive generations of artists.
In keeping with the motto of the 50th edition: The Future Is Today!