Jazz competitions and awards

There are a number of national awards and competitions that can help musicians who are at the start of their careers. Awards and competitions can help generate more publicity, gigs and a wider audience.

Selection competitions and awards

Boy Edgar Award
The Boy Edgar Award is the most important Dutch prize for jazz music. The prize is presented annually by the Performing Arts Fund to a musician who has made a valuable contribution to the Dutch jazz and improvised music scene. Part of the prize is the bronze exchange sculpture 'John Coltrane' by Jan Wolkers and a cash prize of € 25,000.

The Records
With the jazz competition The Records, three candidates can each win a prize of € 10,000 for making an album. The album release is a year later, in the Bimhuis and is the start of 'The Records on Tour'. The Records on Tour is a tour of ± 24 concerts along Dutch jazz venues and festivals. In addition, the winners also receive a coaching trajectory that is tailored to their artistic and business needs.

Dutch Jazz Competition
In this competition young jazz groups measure themselves against each other using an elimination system with a finale at the Bimhuis. The prize package includes a working budget and a tour along leading Dutch jazz venues.

Prinses Christina Concours
Committed to promote classical music, jazz and composition among young people. With the yearly competitions, the organizers’ desire is to get as many young people as possible excited about music.

Paul Acket Award
North Sea Jazz annually presents the Paul Acket Award to an artist who deserves wider public recognition for extraordinary musical quality. With the Paul Acket Award, the organisation wants to give attention to talented jazz musicians who are relatively at the beginning of their career. These artists are already known within the jazz scene, but not yet with the general public. In addition to a trophy, the Artist Deserving Wider Recognition will also receive a check worth € 5,000, intended to enhance the winner's career.

Edisons
The Edisons are one of the oldest music awards in the world. Prizes will be awarded in different categories.

Dutch Heights is a platform for awards and competitions in the field of arts and culture in the Netherlands. Contest Watchers is a website dedicated to creative challenges and competitions worldwide.