International Jazz in the Park Competition – Rules

OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

International Jazz in the Park Competition

Cluj-Napoca, Romania, September 18-20, 2026

I. ABOUT THE COMPETITION

Organizers: Fapte Muzicale SRL & Fapte Association

Competition: Jazz in the Park Competition

Purpose:

The Jazz in the Park Competition aims to identify, promote, and support emerging jazz artists with strong potential for festival appearances and live performances.

Artistic Scope

The Jazz in the Park Competition is open to all bands performing within the broad genre of JAZZ (please refer here to the full list of accepted subgenres within the competition).

Competition Context

The competition takes place as part of an open-air festival. Public access to the event is free of charge, and in addition to the competition performances, the venue also hosts a variety of complementary activities, including concerts by artists who are not part of the competition.

Our aim is to create an environment that is as authentic as possible — a setting that reflects the atmosphere of a real festival.

The competition stage will be one of the stages within the event and will host a minimum of four performances per day. Concerts by special guest artists, closing each festival day, will take place on a separate stage.

Although each performance will be evaluated by a jury composed of industry professionals, participating bands are expected to approach their performance as they would at any festival — placing emphasis on artistic expression and audience engagement, rather than addressing the jury directly.

Timeline

Application period: March 19 – May 3, 2026
Preselection results announcement: May 21, 2026
Live competition performances (in front of the jury): September 18–20, 2026
Award ceremony: September 20, 2026

Regulations

Participants in the competition are required to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in these Competition Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”).

The Regulations are available, free of charge, to any interested party on the competition webpage (www.jazzinthepark.ro/competition). Additional information may be requested at competition@jazzinthepark.ro.

The Organizer reserves the right to amend these Regulations, provided that any such changes are announced at least one (1) working day prior to their entry into force.

II. REGISTRATION FOR THE COMPETITION

Eligible Participants

The Jazz in the Park Competition is open to all bands performing within the broadly defined genre of JAZZ (please refer here to the full list of accepted subgenres within the competition).

A “band” is defined as an artistic group consisting of at least two instrumentalists, regardless of the instruments they perform.

Members of the registered bands must be between 16 and 35 years of age at the time of the Jazz in the Park Competition (September 18, 2026). By exception, one member of the band may be over the age of 35.

Registration Process

Registration is carried out via the website www.jazzinthepark.ro/competition and remains open until May 3, 2026.

Required Application Materials

A completed application form submitted online via www.jazzinthepark.ro
Band biography
A video recording (minimum 2 minutes) of at least one representative piece performed live. The demo (live video recording of the band) must be uploaded to YouTube and reflect the current band lineup. The technical quality of the recording does not constitute a judging criterion; however, participants are encouraged to submit materials of the highest possible quality to ensure an accurate evaluation by the jury. The context in which the recording was made (live concert, rehearsal space, etc.) is not relevant. The video recording must not be older than January 1, 2024
Recorded tracks of the band (minimum 1 – maximum 3), in addition to the video recording. These may be submitted as links to platforms used by the band (YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, etc.), with at least one track available on Spotify
Media / Press kit – group photos of the band. These must be recent images that do not include additional branding elements. All band members must appear in the submitted materials. Both studio photos and live performance images are accepted
Links to the social media platforms where the band is active
Technical rider & stage plot

Notes

Adding new members after registration is not permitted without prior notification and approval from the Organizer. Replacing more than one third of the band members is also prohibited without prior notification and approval from the Organizer.

If selected as finalists, the members performing on stage at the Jazz in the Park Competition (September 18–20, 2026) must be the same as those listed in the application and appearing in the submitted video, or those subsequently approved by the jury. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

Finalists will be required to submit copies of valid identification documents for all band members.

Finalists must also complete and sign a Letter of Commitment, confirming their participation in the Jazz in the Park Competition (September 18–20, 2026), the availability of all band members to perform in the originally submitted lineup, and their explicit acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth in these Regulations.

Finalist bands will also be required to complete and sign a document assigning copyright related to their performance within the competition to the Organizer. As a result of this exclusive assignment, the economic rights to the musical work are fully transferred to the Organizer, who becomes the sole holder of these rights. Consequently, collective management organizations will no longer be entitled to manage and/or collect remuneration for the use of the assigned musical work.

If an Artist fails to attend the Competition or cancels their participation for reasons attributable to them (excluding cases of force majeure, illness, or other incapacity certified by a medical professional), they shall be liable to pay damages to the Organizer proportional to the losses incurred, set at EUR 1,000.

The Organizer reserves the right to refuse the participation of any band in case of non-compliance with the eligibility criteria.

By completing and submitting this form, participants agree that their personal data may be processed and stored by the Fapte Association for the purpose of organizing and running the Jazz in the Park Competition, in accordance with the personal data processing policy set out in these Regulations.

All participants must read and accept the Regulations prior to registration. Failure to comply with the rules and conditions set out herein may result in score penalties or disqualification.

By submitting the application form, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Regulations. Participants declare, on their own responsibility, that they have the right to submit their artistic projects/bands to the competition and that they are the authors and rightful holders of the copyright related to those artistic works.

For the projects declared as winners, the Organizer reserves the right to present such artistic works without any additional financial obligation during the 2026 edition of the Jazz in the Park Competition, as well as in any other public presentation, promotional, press, or media materials, for non-commercial purposes and in connection with the Jazz in the Park project, both in current and future editions.

Vinyl Recording – Exclusive Assignment of Copyright

By accepting these Regulations and confirming their selection and participation in the final stage of the Jazz in the Park Competition 2026, each finalist band expressly, irrevocably, and unconditionally assigns to the Organizer the economic copyright related to one representative musical piece (hereinafter referred to as the “Work”), for the purpose of its inclusion on the competition album, released on vinyl (hereinafter referred to as the “Album”).

The Assignor (the finalist band, through its legal representative) assigns to the Assignee (the Competition Organizer), on an exclusive, unconditional, irrevocable basis, without territorial limitation, for a period of 10 years from the release date of the Album, all economic rights related to the Work, including, but not limited to:

the right to reproduce and fix the Work on vinyl, digital formats, and any other existing or future technical medium;
the right to distribute and commercialize the Album and its copies, both within the Jazz in the Park festival, the Competition, and their future editions, as well as through Jazz in the Park partner venues, partner bookstores and music shops, online distribution platforms, and any other physical or digital distribution channels;
the right to publicly communicate the Work, in any form and by any means, including broadcasting, cable retransmission, satellite transmission, streaming, and making it available to the public through electronic or digital means;
the right to import and export copies of the Album for commercialization on national and international markets;
the right to promote the Album and the Work for advertising and commercial purposes, including in press materials, marketing campaigns, and both online and offline promotional content;
the right to create derivative works based on the Work (such as adaptations), for promotional purposes related to the Album and the Jazz in the Park project;
the right to authorize the use, publication, and exploitation of the Work through electronic or digital means, including music streaming and digital distribution platforms;
the right to translate and adapt the Work, where applicable.

The assignment becomes effective upon the finalist band’s confirmation of participation in the final stage of the Jazz in the Park Competition 2026.

During the assignment period, the Assignor shall not authorize any third party to use, reproduce, distribute, commercialize, or otherwise exploit the Work in connection with a similar phonographic product (album, compilation, vinyl, or digital release) without the prior written consent of the Assignee. The Assignor guarantees that the Work is original, that it fully owns the economic rights to it, and that the Work is not subject to any encumbrances, prior assignments, or disputes that could affect the rights granted to the Assignee under this clause.

The assignment of economic rights provided for in this clause is included in the guaranteed fee granted to each finalist band under these Regulations and does not give rise to any additional financial obligations on the part of the Organizer.

The moral rights of the authors remain unaffected and fully belong to them, in accordance with applicable law. The Organizer undertakes to credit the band and the authors of the Work in all materials related to the Album, both physical and digital.

Selection Results Announcement

Each applicant will receive either a confirmation or rejection, and, where applicable, an official invitation to participate in the competition, no later than May 21, 2026.

Following the preselection process, the top 12 bands in the ranking will be invited to participate in the final stage in Cluj-Napoca (September 18–20, 2026).

III. COMPETITION FORMAT

Final Stage – Live Performance

Each selected band will perform as part of a live event (the final stage), organized between September 18–20, 2026, in Cluj-Napoca, on the stages dedicated to the event in the Central Park.

By completing the application form, each band confirms the full availability of all its members throughout the entire duration of the Jazz in the Park Competition.

During the live, open-air competition, each band will perform a set of minimum 30 minutes and maximum 45 minutes, in front of both the jury and the audience.

Playback tracks and DJ & vocal setups are not permitted. All bands must perform live. Cover versions and rearranged compositions are allowed.

By submitting the application form, the band confirms once again the availability of all its members for the entire duration of the Jazz in the Park Competition.

The Organizer reserves the right to modify the event schedule, to cancel or merge performances in case of adverse weather conditions or any other circumstances that may prevent the proper execution of the event.

Required Documents for Participation and Prize Collection

A Letter of Commitment, signed by the band’s representative, confirming the availability of all members during the Jazz in the Park Competition and the explicit acceptance of these Regulations
A Personal Data Processing Consent Form, completed and signed by each band member
Copies of valid identity cards/passports for all participating band members
A Tax Residency Certificate (only for bands whose members are not residents of Romania), issued for the band’s representative, in the case of winning bands. As obtaining this certificate from national tax authorities may take up to 30 days, we recommend requesting it upon confirming participation in the final stage of the Jazz in the Park Competition, in order to ensure that prize payments can be processed immediately after the competition
A Prize Award Report, completed, signed, and assumed by the legal representative of the band (for winning bands)
Transport reimbursement documents, along with all supporting documents, in accordance with these Regulations
Travel and medical insurance for all band members, valid for the entire duration of their stay in Romania. The costs of travel and medical insurance are fully covered by the participating bands. The Organizer reserves the right to request proof of valid insurance

IV. PARTICIPATION FEE

Participation in the Jazz in the Park Competition is free of charge.

V. PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS IN THE COMPETITION

Transport

If the artist/band is not based in Cluj-Napoca, transportation from their city of residence to Cluj-Napoca and return will be reimbursed by the Organizer, within the following limits:

2,000 RON per band for bands based in Romania
1,000 EUR per band for international bands

In order to be eligible for reimbursement, participants must submit supporting documents issued during the project period, such as: transport tickets, fuel receipts including the Organizer’s fiscal identification code (Fapte Association, CIF 31425230), invoices issued in the name of Fapte Association, or other relevant documents.

Invoices issued in the name of individual band members or any legal entity other than Fapte Association will not be accepted for reimbursement. Fuel receipts that do not include the fiscal identification code of Fapte Association, or include it incorrectly, as well as any documents that do not comply with applicable legal requirements, will not be accepted.

Transport reimbursement may be requested once the bands can provide all required supporting documents and have completed the transport reimbursement form, but no later than October 10, 2026.

The reimbursement form must be accompanied by the original supporting documents. The form must be submitted by email to competition@jazzinthepark.ro, as well as by post to Fapte Association, Str. Franz Liszt 28A, ap. 2, Cluj-Napoca, or handed directly to the organizers on the last day of the competition.

Accommodation and Meals

During their participation in the competition, the Organizer will provide free accommodation (3-star standard) for band members who are not based in Cluj-Napoca, for a maximum of 3 nights, as chosen by each band, including the competition day.

During their stay in Cluj-Napoca, participants will be provided with main meals, depending on their arrival and departure schedule.

All band members residing in Cluj-Napoca will receive a meal voucher on the day of their performance.

Guaranteed Fee

Each finalist band will receive a guaranteed fee of EUR 1,000 net, calculated at the exchange rate of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) on the day of payment.

The payment of the guaranteed fee will be made within 14 working days from the performance date (concert day), or within 14 working days from the submission of the Tax Residency Certificate (in the case of international artists).

VI. REHEARSALS, EQUIPMENT AND STAGE

Sound checks will take place on the same day as the competition, at the same location. Each band will have 30 minutes allocated for soundcheck (in addition to load-in time) prior to their performance.

Each band has the right to bring their own sound engineer, provided that this is specified in the technical rider submitted to the Organizer prior to the event. If a band brings its own sound engineer, the audio mixer used will be the one provided by the festival; external audio mixers are not permitted.

All these details will be communicated at least 14 days prior to each band’s performance date.

The Organizer will provide a professional sound and lighting system, available free of charge to all bands, as well as a full backline, including:

full drum kit
1 guitar amplifier
1 bass amplifier
1 keyboard (88 keys – such as Nord Stage 2 or 3)
1 double bass
microphones, monitors, and all necessary technical equipment
full technical crew, including sound and lighting engineers and auxiliary staff

The stages in Central Park measure 8 x 6 x 8 meters.

If a band requires additional backline equipment, it must notify the Organizer at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition, after which the Organizer will provide available options.

Band members may use their own personal instruments, such as guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, effect pedals, etc. Drummers may bring their own snare drum, bass drum pedal, drumsticks, or cymbals.

Bands are required to communicate any special requirements beyond those specified in these Regulations. All bands are required to use the same backline and drum kit provided by the Organizer. Keyboards and any other special equipment (other than personal instruments, such as guitars) will be placed on stage before the start of the performances and will remain there until the end.

In order to minimize changeover time between bands, left-handed drummers will perform either at the beginning or at the end of the program.

All bands must strictly follow the instructions provided by the Organizer and the appointed stage manager.

VII. ORDER OF PERFORMANCE

The order of performance will be determined by the Organizer and will be announced at least 7 days prior to the competition day.

The performance order of the 12 finalist bands will be established by random draw, after all finalist bands have confirmed their participation in the competition.

The announced order may be modified, in cases of force majeure, only by the Organizer.

VIII. JURY AND SELECTION PROCESS

The jury for both the preselection and final stages operates in accordance with the Competition Regulations, respecting the principles of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.

Preselection Jury

The preselection of bands qualifying for the final is carried out by the Organizer, represented by:

Alin Vaida – President, Jazz in the Park Competition
Levente Borsos – Stage Manager, Jazz in the Park Competition
Dan Vamanu – Booker & Stage Manager, Cirkular Studio
Teodor Pop – pianist (JazzyBIT), Jury President, Jazz in the Park Competition

Preselection Criteria

performance quality
originality
compatibility with the open-air festival format

Final Jury

The evaluation of the finalist bands will be carried out by a jury different from the preselection jury.

The Jazz in the Park Competition 2026 jury consists of:

Teodor Pop – pianist (JazzyBIT), Jury President
Simone Manchisi – Agent, Django Music; Booker, VIVA! Festival (Italy)
Dima Belinski – pianist, composer, arranger; coordinator of the jazz module at the “Gheorghe Dima” National Academy of Music
Diana Gheorghiu – composer, member of UCIMR

Final Evaluation Criteria

performance quality
group cohesion
originality
stage presence
compliance with organizational requirements (punctuality, soundcheck duration, performance duration)

Scoring System

Each criterion is assigned a different weight, as follows:

Performance quality – weight ×3
Group cohesion – weight ×2
Originality – weight ×2
Stage presence – weight ×1
Organizational compliance – weight ×2

Each jury member will score from 1 to 10 for each criterion.

The weighted average (final score) is calculated as follows:

(Performance ×3 + Cohesion ×2 + Originality ×2 + Stage Presence ×1 + Organizational ×2) ÷ 10 = Final Score

All scores will be centralized, and a ranking will be established.

In case of a tie, the decision of the Jury President is final.

The jury determines the winners for each competition category. All jury decisions are final and binding.

During the competition, participants are strictly prohibited from contacting jury members.

IX. AWARDS

The jury will decide the awards based on the criteria outlined above.

The jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes, as well as to grant special prizes other than those mentioned in this Regulation.

All prizes are indivisible, and no exceptions will be made.

Prize Values (gross)

1st Prize: EUR 6,000 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment), invitation to perform at Jazz in the Park Festival 2027 (contract worth EUR 3,500 net – fee & transport), invitation to perform at the closing of the Jazz in the Park Competition 2027 (contract worth EUR 3,000 net – fee & transport)
2nd Prize: EUR 3,500 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment)
3rd Prize: EUR 1,500 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment)
Best Romanian Band Award: EUR 1,500 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment), invitation to perform at Jazz in the Park Festival 2027 (contract worth EUR 2,500 net – fee & transport), production and distribution of a vinyl album through the Jazz in the Park partner music store network, production of a music video for one of the band’s tracks
Best Composition Award: EUR 500 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment)
Three (3) Awards for Best Musicians: EUR 500 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment)
Audience Award: EUR 1,000 gross (at the BNR exchange rate on the day of payment)

Notes

Prizes may be cumulative.
The Organizer reserves the right to increase the number of bands invited to perform at Jazz in the Park Festival 2027.
After the final stage of the Competition, all necessary procedures between the Organizer and the winners will be completed no later than November 15, 2026.
The total financial value of the prizes amounts to EUR 37,500 (including the guaranteed fees for finalist bands, as well as the amounts allocated for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, Best Romanian Band, Best Composition, and Best Musicians awards).
Additional special prizes may be added during the organization period, consisting of products and services offered by sponsors, as well as performance opportunities at partner events and venues.
For bands based outside Romania, prize payments can only be made upon submission of a Tax Residency Certificate issued by the authorities in their country of residence, in accordance with the applicable legislation at the time of publication of this Regulation. As obtaining such a certificate may take up to 30 days, bands are encouraged to request it upon confirming their participation in the competition.

X. FINAL PROVISIONS

The Organizer of Jazz in the Park Competition reserves the right to broadcast, record, photograph, film, and audio/video record all performances within the event.

Audio recordings may be used for the production of audio materials to be included in future editions of the project.

XI. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION

Within the Jazz in the Park Competition 2026 project, FAPTE ASSOCIATION processes your personal data provided directly and through the competition application form.

Types of Personal Data Processed

The personal data processed includes, but is not limited to:

full name
email address
phone number
domicile/residence address
ID document series and/or number
personal identification number
bank details
role/relationship with the Organizer (volunteer, staff member, journalist, guest, artist, contractor/sponsor/public authority representative, jury member, etc.)
biometric data (photographs, video recordings)
social media profiles / website

Legal Basis for Processing

The legal grounds for processing personal data include:

your prior and explicit consent
the performance of a contract or steps prior to entering into a contract
the legitimate interests of the Organizer or a third party, unless overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms
compliance with legal obligations
protection of vital interests of a natural person

Purpose of Processing

Personal data is processed for the following purposes:

registering bands in the competition
awarding prizes
concluding copyright agreements
preparing participation lists
promoting the Competition and related activities

Refusal to provide personal data will result in the impossibility of registering for the Jazz in the Park Competition.

Data Retention

Personal data will be stored for the duration of the competition, but no longer than 3 years after the completion of the project.

The Organizer reviews the collected data annually to assess whether its retention remains necessary for the stated purposes, legitimate interests, or legal obligations. Data that is no longer necessary will be deleted.

Data Disclosure

The Organizer may disclose personal data to public authorities and institutions (such as ISU, ANAF, Police, Courts, Prosecutor’s Offices, City Hall, Local Council, County Council, Ministries, etc.) or other entities entitled by law to access such data.

Personal data will not be transferred to third countries or international organizations, except where required by the contractual relationship.

Your Rights

With regard to your personal data, you have the following rights:

Right to information – to request details about data processing activities, the identity of the controller, or recipients of your data
Right to rectification – to correct inaccurate data or complete incomplete data
Right to erasure – to request delete data where processing is unlawful or in other cases provided by law
Right to restriction of processing – to request limitation of processing in certain situations
Right to object – to object, in particular, to processing based on legitimate interest
Right to data portability – to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format or request its transfer to another controller
Right to lodge a complaint and seek judicial remedy – to file a complaint with the National Supervisory Authority for Personal Data Processing and/or address the competent courts
Right to withdraw consent – where processing is based on consent, it may be withdrawn at any time (without affecting prior processing)
Right not to be subject to automated decision-making or profiling – including the right to request human intervention and express your point of view

Contact for Exercising Your Rights

To exercise these rights, you may submit a written, dated, and signed request to:

Name: Denisa Dan
Phone: +40 725 916 000
Email: gdpr@fapte.org
Postal address:
Jazz in the Park Competition
Str. Franz Liszt 28A, ap. 2
400696 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Data Protection Measures

We comply with all applicable legal provisions regarding personal data protection and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard all data processing activities, preventing unauthorized or unlawful processing, as well as accidental or unlawful loss or destruction.

We do not use personal data for automated processing or profiling and do not make automated decisions regarding individuals.

We use secure technical means for data storage and do not process data for purposes incompatible with those for which it was originally collected.

XII. TERMINATION, MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION OF THE COMPETITION

The Organizer reserves the right to unilaterally modify the execution of the Jazz in the Park Competition 2026 with respect to:

(1) the number of performances (including reduction or increase),
(2) the location and/or date of the event,
(3) the scale of the competition or performances,
(4) the number of participants (audience) or competitors, or
(5) the nature of the event and its related activities.

Participants acknowledge and accept that changes may occur regarding:

(1) the specific date and location of performances,
(2) the performance schedule,
(3) the artistic activities taking place, or
(4) other organizational aspects,

as a result of both internal organizational decisions and external factors beyond the control of the Organizer. These may include, but are not limited to: severe weather conditions, decisions of public authorities or institutions, actions of private entities involved in the event, legislative changes, restrictions due to epidemics or diseases, travel restrictions, risks related to public health, force majeure events, or any other limitations imposed by public or local authorities for safety and public health reasons.

Such modifications shall not affect the validity of the participants’ commitments, and participants irrevocably agree to comply with any such changes.

The Organizer has the right to unilaterally cancel the competition or any of its performances, in whole or in part, either before or during the event, as well as the right to restrict the participation of an artist or one or more band members at any stage of the competition.

Such measures may be taken in situations similar to those mentioned above, including but not limited to force majeure, public authority decisions, health and safety concerns, or other external constraints.

Limitation of Liability

By way of exception to the provisions regarding expenses covered by the Organizer, in situations where the competition is modified (as per the above clauses) or cancelled in whole or in part, the Organizer shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by the Artist, the band, or its members in connection with the competition, nor for any material or moral damages, whether past, present, or future.

In the event of cancellation, the Organizer may reschedule the competition for a later date, which will be communicated to the participants.

In all cases where the competition is modified, cancelled, or terminated prematurely, including situations where the Organizer is unable to continue the competition for reasons beyond its control, the Organizer shall not be bound by any obligations towards participants, nor liable for any compensation or damages.

XIII. DISPUTES AND APPLICABLE LAW

Any disputes arising between the Organizer and the participants shall be settled amicably. If an amicable resolution is not possible, disputes shall be resolved by the competent courts, in accordance with applicable law.

The applicable law is Romanian law.

In case of discrepancies between the Romanian and English versions of this Regulation, the Romanian version shall prevail.

CONTACT

For further information or clarifications, please contact:

competition@jazzinthepark.ro

Last updated: March 17, 2025