The First Ukrainian Jazz Prize: Press Conference and Concert
On 25 November, a press conference and concert dedicated to the official launch of the Ukrainian Jazz Prize — the first award recognising outstanding Ukrainian jazz musicians and bands who continue to create music in Ukraine — will take place at Origin Stage in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Institute, in partnership with the Europe Jazz Network (EJN), is establishing the annual Ukrainian Jazz Prize to provide Ukrainian jazz artists with opportunities for international growth and to introduce them to European audiences through a concert tour across EU countries supported by EJN members. The event in Ukraine is co-organised by FUSION JAMS, a Kyiv-based contemporary jazz collective and concert series.
“Today, Ukrainian jazz attracts significant international interest thanks to its individuality and freedom of form. It is perceived as the voice of a nation that, despite the war, continues to create, experiment and engage in dialogue with the world. For Ukrainian musicians, this prize is not only a symbol of recognition but also an opportunity to present themselves on the international stage, to build connections with European festivals and the wider music industry. In doing so, we are shaping Ukraine’s lasting presence on the world’s musical map – from Italy to Norway, from Germany to Indonesia.” – Volodymyr Sheiko, Director General of the Ukrainian Institute.
During the press conference, details about the open competition, the list of nominations, the international jury, the awards ceremony and the concert tour will be announced.
Following the press conference, a grand concert marking the foundation of the Ukrainian Jazz Prize will take place at Origin Stage, featuring Dennis Adu, Usein Bekirov, Hyphen Dash, Yevhenii Dubovyk, Natalia Lebedieva, Maryan Karpinskyi, Pavlo Halytskyi, and others. The evening will conclude with a traditional jam session, bringing together some of the country’s finest improvisers. The event will be hosted by Oleksii Kohan, a renowned radio journalist and Artistic Director of Leopolis Jazz Festival.
Date: Tuesday, 25 November
Time:
16:30–17:00 – registration and welcome drink
17:00–18:00 – press conference
19:00 – concert start
Venue: Origin Stage
Address: 16a Shota Rustaveli Street, Kyiv (Google Maps)
Founders of the Ukrainian Jazz Prize: Ukrainian Institute, Europe Jazz Network
Partners in Ukraine: FUSION JAMS, Origin Stage, pomitni, Duma Studios
Media Partners (Ukraine): Suspline
International media partners: All About Jazz (USA–Europe), JazzThing (Germany), Citizen Jazz (France), Jazz-fun.de (Germany), Jazzmania (Belgium), Jazz’halo (Belgium), UK Jazz News (United Kingdom), Donos Kulturalny (Poland) and In&OutJazz (Spain).
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Registration for the press conference for media, cultural professionals and members of the music community is available via the link until 18:00 on 21 November. Participation will be confirmed by email no later than Monday, 24 November.
For further information, please contact: [email protected] (Mariana Bondarenko, Head of the Music Department at the Ukrainian Institute).
Ukrainian Institute is a state institution of cultural diplomacy that works to enhance the world’s understanding and perception of Ukraine and to develop its cultural relations with other countries. Established by the Government of Ukraine, the Institute operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Europe Jazz Network (EJN) is a non-profit European association bringing together festivals and venues promoters and representatives of the jazz sector from over 200 organisations in 38 countries. The Ukrainian Institute has been a member of the network since 2024. www.europejazz.net