Europe Jazz Network (EJN) is delighted to announce that its 2025 Award for Adventurous Programming has been awarded to Jazzfestival Saalfelden in Austria.
Jazzfestival Saalfelden was praised by the jury for continually reinventing itself throughout its history, exploring uncharted musical territories, and harmoniously integrating its programme with the local communities and stunning natural landscapes of the Saalfelden-Leogang area. Established by EJN, this annual Award honours a European festival, club, or venue that succeeds in delivering visionary and compelling musical experiences for its audience.
The award winner was selected through a two-phase process: initially, the 200+ EJN member organisations from 36 countries nominated potential awardees, including non-members. Subsequently, a jury comprising EJN members and other music professionals convened online in March 2025 to select the winner from a shortlist of 23 nominees.
Comment from the Award Jury 2025: “The jury selected Saalfelden Jazzfestival as the winner of the 2025 EJN Award for Adventurous Programming, highlighting its exceptional artistic quality and innovative community integration. Celebrating its 45th edition this year, the festival was praised for creatively utilising diverse urban and mountain spaces and seamlessly collaborating with local businesses, enriching the cultural fabric of the entire region. Its bold, diverse, risk-taking programme and close interaction between artists, audience, and the breathtaking natural surroundings have made it influential among musicians and fellow programmers alike. Additionally, the festival’s commitment to ecological sustainability underscores its forward-thinking vision, setting a remarkable standard in Europe’s creative music community.”
The jury 2025 was composed by: Tania Giannouli (artist, Greece), Ragnhild Menes (Kongsberg Jazz Festival, Norway), Pedro Costa (Clean Feed label & promoter, Portugal), Wim Wabbes (EJN honorary member, Belgium), Hernádi Zsolti (previous Award winner, Budapest Music Centre, Hungary).
Comment by Mario Steidl, Artistic Director of Jazzfestival Saalfelden: “The most beautiful thing about this award is its title – adventurous programming… Honouring curiosity, risk taking and the creation of new formats is so much nicer than getting stuck in superlatives like „biggest“, „fastest“ or „best“. It is a recognition of a mindset. And that makes me more than happy. I see this award as an encouragement to keep exploring and to stay connected – with the artists, the audience, and the issues that move us as a society…”
The winner of the 2025 Award for Adventurous Programming will be celebrated at the 45th Jazzfestival Saalfelden, from 21 to 24 August 2025, and at the 11th European Jazz Conference in Bari, Italy, from 25 to 28 September 2025, bringing together EJN members and creative music professionals from across Europe and beyond.
About Jazzfestival Saalfelden
Free space meets the unexpected
How much freedom does music need to unfold? The Saalfelden Jazz Festival has been inviting people to the breathtaking mountain region of the so-called Steinernes Meer for over 45 years, creating spaces for encounters, curiosity, creativity and exchange over four days in August.
More than 60 concerts and hikes with improvised music, spontaneous sessions in unusual places in an atmosphere of informal hospitality and lightness: these are the characteristics of this festival, which attracts musicians and visitors from the most diverse regions.
Next key dates:
– The 45th festival edition will take place from 21 – 24 August 2025;
– The full programme will be presented on 12 June 2025;
– Tickets can be ordered already now online via: https://www.jazzsaalfelden.com/en