Austria celebrates its musical diversity.

In the festive ambience of Casino Velden, the Austrian Jazz Awards 2025 was taking place on the evening of 26th of November. Numerous musicians, industry representatives, media and guests from culture and politics took part in the gala, which celebrated local jazz in all its diversity.

The Austrian Jazz Award honors outstanding artistic achievements in the field of jazz as well as special contributions to the further development of the Austrian musical landscape. This year's award ceremony impressively demonstrated the high quality, innovative strength and internationality that characterises the Austrian jazz scene.

The award winners – Helene Glüxam (newcomer 2025), Kenji Herbert Trio (album 2025: "A Million Forests of the Fall") and Christian Muthspiel & ORJAZZTRA VIENNA (Live Act 2025) were honored during a varied concert evening that presented the broad spectrum of the scene: from a virtuoso solo to a rocking trio to a literarily inspired big band. For the first time, the new "High Impact Award" was presented for special achievements at home and abroad (Austrian Music Council, powered by KELAG): The award winners Wolfgang Muthspiel and Wolfgang Puschnig finally thrilled with their joint top-class performance. The audience rewarded the performances with frenetic applause.

At a reception of the Jam Music Lab University before the gala, three music universities and the KELAG Big Band presented themselves impressively with young artists.

In their speeches, the organizers and the jury emphasized the importance of jazz as a global heritage and future-oriented art form. "Every year, the Austrian Jazz Prize shows anew how lively and trend-setting this versatile scene is," says Harald Huber from the Austrian Jazz Award.

Following the award ceremony, the assembled music scene used the evening to exchange ideas, network and celebrate together.

Photos of the event (copyright: Sabine Biedermann)