The Marion Ermer Foundation’s 2026 “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award ” award goes to two “
” winners for the first time: Congratulations to Jakob Obleser and Alma Gröning!

Violinist Alma Gröning and bassist Jakob Obleser will receive the 2026 “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award ” from the Marion Ermer Foundation. In the year of its 30th anniversary, the prize is endowed with a one-time total of 20,000 euros and will be awarded to two recipients. This has been made possible by a significant increase in the Marion Ermer Foundation’s funding to the City of Leipzig. Dr. Skadi Jennicke, Leipzig’s mayor for culture, will present the award on October 24 at 3:00 p.m. at UT Connewitz as part of the 50th “ Leipziger Jazztage .” The award ceremony will be followed by concerts featuring the two winners. 

But that’s not all: For the first time, the award ceremony will also feature a concert by a former award winner: The guest performer is double bassist Robert Lucaciu, who received the “ Leipzig Jazz Young Talent Award ” ten years ago and was recently honored with the 2026 German Jazz Prize in the string instruments category. He will take the stage with his project “Intricate Gestalt,” alongside Theresia Philipp, Moritz Baumgärtner, and Anna Tsombanis.

You can read the city's full statementhere.

Click here for the program announcement regarding the presentation of the Young Jazz Artists Awardto Jakob ObleserandAlma Gröning at the 50th Leipzig Jazz Festival.

Click here for the program announcement forRobert Lucaciu’s alumni concertwith Intricate Gestalt.