Final Concert KUG Composition Contest

For many years, Jazz has been of vital importance to the musical and culture identity of the City of Graz. Through a lively and pioneering Jazz scene, as well as the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz is a hot spot for jazz in Austria. The Jazz Institute, with its study programs and graduates, has experienced worldwide reputation and praise since opening in 1965 as the first academic program for Jazz in all of Europe..

With the competition for contemporary composition in Jazz composition, Jazz Comp Graz, through the support of the Culture Department of the City of Graz (Kulturamt der Stadt Graz), a new highlight in the city´s pulsating jazz life will be created by institutionalizing a stronger cooperation between the association “Pro Jazz Grazz” and the Institute for Jazz at the KUG. The top young European jazz composers will be invited to participate in this competition and to present their work to an internationally renowned jury. Of particular appeal is the fact that the Jury will make their decision based on the live presentation of the finalists in an open concert, which will later also be featured in a CD production.