Over 60,000 participants, 8 awards, and 1,163 donors for the Jazz in the Park Fund
The 8th edition of the Jazz in the Park Competition came to a close on Sunday evening in Central Park, Cluj-Napoca, after three days filled with music, activities, and more than 60,000 people gathered around jazz.
The Grand Prize went to JEMMA (Italy), an eight-member band whose energy and blend of world music, jazz-rock, fusion, and ambient won over both jury and audience. Alongside the €5,000 prize offered by BRD – Groupe Société Générale, JEMMA also received an invitation to perform at Jazz in the Park Festival 2026 and to headline the closing concert of next year’s Competition. They also won the Best Composition Award (€500), offered by Meze Audio.
Other Awards
- Second Prize (€3,000 – offered by AROBS)
Awarded to ZaZoo (Netherlands), a group led by cellist and composer Elsa Le Moigne, joined by William Becuwe (trombone), Tejas Ziegler (keys), and Dane Paris (drums). - Third Prize (€1,000)
Went to LUNAMË (Poland), a band born from a spontaneous jam session at Spatif Club in Warsaw. Members: Natalia Kordiak (vocals), Maciej Kądziela (saxophone & production), Staszek Szmigiero (piano), Kasia Schmidt (bass), and Marcin Sojka (drums). - Audience Award (€1,000 – offered by PPC)
Won by Sorvina (Germany), chosen directly by festivalgoers who voted in real time via QR codes displayed on stage. - Best Romanian Band Award (€1,000 – offered by Distileria Galben)
Awarded to MINDTHEGAP Trio (Romania), founded by pianist and composer Ștefan Ormenișan, with Alex Cioată (bass) and Tamas Iszlai (drums). - Special Mentions (€500 each – offered by Purcari and Audio-Technica EMEA)
Given to Naomi Simmonds (backing vocals, Sorvina), Julian Haugland (double bass), and Marton Ors (Lawn Dogs).
The Jury
The winners were selected by an independent jury:
- Teodor Pop (pianist, JazzyBIT – RO)
- Samu Forsblom (Programme Director, Oulu2026 – FI)
- Simona Giura (Director, Gărâna Jazz Festival – RO)
- Dan Vamanu (booker & producer, Cirkular – RO)
alongside the public, who played an active role in the Audience Award vote.
More than a competition
Beyond the contest, the festival featured special evening concerts with Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers (NL), Błoto (PL), and daoud (FR), plus dozens of daytime activities and late-night jam sessions at Colin’s Gastro Pub. These sessions will soon be available on the Jazz in the Park YouTube channel.
1,163 Donors for the Jazz in the Park Fund
This year, 1,163 attendees supported the Jazz in the Park Fund by purchasing the symbolic €6 ticket. Contributions will finance the educational program “Music Hour” for children, hosted at Edison House of Music.
Looking Ahead
Organizers will soon announce the dates for the 2026 edition. Until then, tickets for Jazz in the Park Festival 2026 (June 5–7, Parcul Etnografic, Cluj-Napoca) are available at a special price of 319 RON.
About Jazz in the Park Competition
Jazz in the Park Competition returned in 2023 after a break, in a more mature format, strengthening its position as an international reference point for jazz. The event is designed as an open and welcoming festival, offering free access for the public and a true stage experience for the artists. In 2025, it closed Romania’s outdoor event season on warm September days, on jazz rhythms.
Organized by Fapte
All Jazz in the Park events are organized by Fapte, an association that develops communities through cultural projects. In 2024, Fapte received the AFCN Award for “Resilience in Culture.”
2025 Calendar includes:
- Jazz in the Park Festival | Parcul Etnografic “Romulus Vuia” | June 5–7, 2026
- Music Gallery | Edison Music Hub | October 17, 2025
