22 – 25 April 2026

A stage decorated with hanging geometric shapes and illuminated neon lights displays a large sign reading Deutscher Jazz Preis in bold white letters.

German Jazz Prize

Return to Bremen

On 25 April 2026 the award ceremony will once again take place as part of the jazzahead!. With this, the German Jazz Prize continues its connection to previous editions in Bremen and strengthens its long-standing partnership with one of the most important gathering points of the global jazz scene.

Watch the German Jazz Prize livestream

Experience the German Jazz Prize ceremony on 25 April live – wherever you are.
The event will be streamed live on Bremen Zwei (radio and cultural programme by Radio Bremen) and via ARD Jazz (the ARD’s jazz platform).

About the Prize

The German Jazz Prize pursues the overarching goal of creating, living and promoting more cultural diversity in musical practice, education, cultural management, as well as in recording and documentation. The prize is intended as an orientation for those interested in jazz from all social groups both domestic and abroad, and is based on the self-conception that jazz and improvised music belong to the cultural educational canon. The German Jazz Prize reflects the music’s social significance, and its award criteria are first and foremost based on artistic considerations.

25 April 2026, 7:00pm

Congress Centrum Bremen (CCB), Findorffstr. 101, 28215 Bremen

6:30pm Admission and reception

7:30pm Award Show

jazzahead! participants are eligible to purchase a regular ticket at a 50% discount. For more information log in into our particpant portal and find the discount code in section “Documents & Information”.

A person gestures in front of a shiny, abstract sculpture and a black backdrop displaying DEUTSCHER JAZZPREIS and logos at an event.
A person scans another persons ticket or document with a handheld scanner, possibly at an event or airport security checkpoint. Both individuals hands are visible, but their faces are not shown.

Get your Ticket Now

Join us live in Bremen on 25 April for the German Jazz Prize ceremony as part of jazzahead!. Experience outstanding artists and the unique atmosphere of the awards in person.

The German Jazz Prize is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and realised by Initiative Musik.

22 Award Categories

The German Jazz Prize shines the spotlight on the diversity and creativity of the German jazz scene and honours exceptional, artistic and innovative achievements in a national and international context with prizes in 22 categories. The prize winners receive a trophy and prize money of at least €10,000. Nominees who do not win a prize receive at least €1,000 in nomination money.

Hanging white triangles with black circles in the center are suspended beside vertical pink and purple neon lights against a dark background.
Black text on a white background reads Deutscher Jazz Preis in a bold, geometric font with stylized, rounded letters and unique shapes for some characters.

All about the German Jazz Prize

What is the purpose of the prize? Who are the members of the advisory board? And who is eligible to apply? All this information can be found on the German Jazz Prize website.