This call goes out to anyone under the age of 30 (born on or after January 1, 1995): From now until March 31, 2025, you can apply for the Jazz Newcomer Award. 

Since 1997—and now for the 29th time—the city of Leipzig has awarded the annual “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award,” sponsored by the Marion Ermer Foundation. The prize supports talented young musicians who demonstrate musical versatility in the field of jazz and show promise for exceptional artistic development. The Marion Ermer Foundation’s “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award ” comes with a cash prize of 6,500 euros and is supported by the City of Leipzig.

The competition is aimed at individuals and bands or ensembles. They should not be older than 30 years and be based in Leipzig or in the districts of North Saxony or Leipzig. The City of Leipzig and the Marion Ermer Foundation value diversity and therefore welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, sexual orientation and identity.

The City of Leipzig will present the “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award ” from the Marion Ermer Foundation as part of the 49th “ Leipziger Jazztage ” (October 11–18, 2025), in cooperation with the “ Jazzclub Leipzig e. V.”

The official award ceremony will be followed by a concert by the award-winning person, band or ensemble. Applications can be submitted from now until March 31, 2025. All the necessary information and the online form can be found at www.leipzig.de/jazznachwuchspreis.

We wish you all much success - see you at the 49th Leipziger Jazztage!

More information can be found here.