Austrian Jazz Award: Visibility and promotion of the local jazz scene

This year marked the inaugural presentation of the new Austrian Jazz Award. The award was conferred in three categories: Album of the Year, Live Act of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. The prestigious Porgy & Bess venue in Vienna hosted the grand award ceremony, with the JAM MUSIC LAB Private University taking an active role and underscoring its commitment to supporting the jazz scene.

Closing a longstanding Gap in Jazz Recognition

After the discontinuation of the “Hans Koller Prize,” Austrian jazz music lacked a platform for recognition and acknowledgment. The newly established Austrian Jazz Award has successfully filled this void, positioning itself as an accolade created by the jazz community for the jazz community. 

The Jazz Award was initiated and organized by the Austrian Music Council (ÖMR) in collaboration with Ö1 (live broadcast), mica (music Austria), IG World Music, and Porgy & Bess. The driving force behind it was Harald Huber, former president of the ÖMR, university professor, composer, and pianist, who also established the Institute for Popular Music (ipop) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw).

A total of 256 entries were submitted and evaluated by an academy of 82 music industry experts, including representatives from JAM MUSIC LAB. From this, shortlists for the three categories were compiled.

The Role of JAM MUSIC LAB in the Jazz Award

The JAM MUSIC LAB Private University played a central role as a supporter and promoter of this new prize. Rector Marcus Ratka highlighted the importance of the university’s involvement:

“As a university dedicated to all forms of jazz and popular music, we are honored and thrilled to support the Austrian Jazz Award! Jazz holds a long and significant tradition in Austrian music history. (…) It is our mission to ensure jazz remains a subject of academic study in all its facets and to actively promote its artists. This is made possible through our partnerships with businesses, industries, and philanthropists, and we aim to continuously expand this network. We wish the Austrian Jazz Award great success and are proud to contribute meaningfully to this important project.”

JAM MUSIC LAB Students among the nominees

Two current students from JAM MUSIC LAB Private University were included on the shortlist: pianist Alan Bartus and bassist Nina Feldgrill.

• Alan Bartus, at just 21 years old, displays the maturity of a seasoned jazz musician. Firmly rooted in the acoustic jazz tradition, he also embraces innovative approaches and new musical ideas.
• Nina Feldgrill, a master’s student, has been working with renowned figures in the Austrian jazz scene since she was 15. This year, she not only won the Ö1 Jazz Scholarship but also achieved second place in the Newcomer category of the Jazz Award—a remarkable milestone in her career.

JAM MUSIC LAB warmly congratulates its students on their outstanding accomplishments.

Award gala and Jazz Brunch

On December 5, 2024, JAM MUSIC LAB hosted a Jazz Brunch at the Hoxton Hotel in Vienna. The relaxed event allowed nominees and award winners to network with representatives from music, culture, politics, and media. Hosted by Ulla Pilz, the brunch featured musical performances by Nina Feldgrill (bass) and Tobias Meissl (vibraphone), followed by a quartet performance by Andreas Varady (guitar), Adrian Varady (drums), Thatiana Gomes (bass), and Stepan Flagar (saxophone). Interviews with the artists provided fascinating insights into their musical visions. The brunch served as the prelude to the official award ceremony at Porgy & Bess later that evening.

“The new Austrian Jazz Award is an important signal of how much we value the diversity of music and its societal impact in Austria. Music is a way of life, a language that connects us—no matter where we come from. It thrives on freedom and creativity, building bridges not only between different styles but also between cultures and generations. I congratulate all the award recipients on this recognition. It is wonderful to see how young, vibrant, innovative, and creative the jazz music scene is in our country,” said Werner Kogler, Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, Civil Service, and Sport.

Winners by Category

• Best Album: Timeless Warrior by Echoboomer, led by bassist Beate Wiesinger, was celebrated for its originality and innovative structures that push the boundaries of jazz. Wiesinger performed pieces from the album and new arrangements at the gala.
• Best Live Act: The quartet Synesthetic 4, led by Vincent Pongracz, won for their vibrant performances and unique blend of musical sophistication and dadaist rap. Pongracz teased a new album during his acceptance speech.
• Best Newcomer: Saxophonist Yvonne Moriel was honored for her ability to seamlessly integrate jazz, dub, and electronic influences. Her project sweetlife, showcased at the gala, demonstrated both technical mastery and emotional depth.

Practical Benefits of the Award

In addition to public recognition, winners received cash prizes: €10,000 for the Album and Live Act categories, and €5,000 for the Newcomer category. Winners also gained the opportunity to perform at two additional concerts organized by the award’s sponsors. A unique feature of the award is its trophy: a soccer ball emblazoned with the award’s logo.

Looking Ahead

The JAM MUSIC LAB eagerly anticipates the next Austrian Jazz Award in 2025 and the inspiring contributions from young, talented artists.

Event Media

Find images from the event here: Image Gallery Gala; Image Gallery Brunch
Watch the video reports:
ORF Video 1
ORF Video 2

Header: (c) Georg Cizek Graf