This year’s finalists

14 bands from 10 countries will compete in Cluj!

Jazz in the Park Competition, the most important jazz competition in Eastern Europe, dedicated to young jazz bands, has selected its finalists who will perform on stage in the “Simion Bărnuțiu” Central Park in Cluj-Napoca, between September 19–21, 2025. Although only 12 spots were initially planned for the final, the high level of the entries convinced the jury to select 14 bands, chosen from 308 applications from 50 countries, an absolute record for the competition.

Denisa Dan, Jazz in the Park Competition manager:
“Jazz in the Park Competition grows year by year, and the level we’ve reached in 2025 is impressive. Once again, we’ve broken the record for number of entries, and the jury was forced, for the second year in a row, to increase the number of finalists. We think it’s a beautiful situation, and the 14 concerts in Central Park are definitely worth marking in every local’s calendar.”

The finalist bands are coming to Cluj from Spain, France, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Out of the 14 bands that made it to the final, four are from Romania:

Benjamín Aedo y Grupo (Spain) – Jazz, fusion, and musical storytelling with South American roots. The group explores rhythms and sounds inspired by Latin American folklore, preparing their album Amigos de un río plateado for 2025.
Chiral (Romania) – A fresh mix of alternative R&B, soul, and jazz, born in the heart of Transylvania, blending groove, emotion, and soft harmonies — both current and timeless.
Diximus & The Space Nebula (Romania) – A modern jazz quartet that combines jazz with classical music, folklore, and world music. A musical exploration of “sonic galaxies.”
Jean Saint Loubert Bié Trio (France) – Modern jazz, world music influences, and electronic textures. Intimate and ambient music with a nostalgic touch.
Julian Haugland Quartet (Norway) – Melodic, heartfelt jazz, with compositions that highlight the double bass as a solo instrument.
JEMMA (Italy) – A high-energy band with world music, jazz-rock, fusion, and ambient influences. Formed by eight musicians with diverse artistic backgrounds, JEMMA creates a rich and colorful sound, shifting from intimate moments to tribal rhythms and irresistible grooves.
The Lawn Dogs (Hungary / Slovakia) – Jazz, fusion, and electronic in an original, award-winning show. They compose exclusively original pieces, focusing on authenticity and reinvention.
LUNAMË (Poland) – Jazz, improvisation, and techno in an explosive and hypnotic blend born out of jam sessions in Warsaw.
MINDTHEGAP Trio (Romania) – A trio from Transylvania combining jazz with film music and progressive rock influences. A modern, personal sound.
OOMA (France) – Soul, jazz, and trip-hop. A band with a deep and emotional sound, led by Irish artist Tansy Greenlee.
Sorvina (Germany) – From New York folk to Berlin hip-hop, with personal and sincere lyrics about identity and continuous movement.
Wet Enough!? (France) – Funk, rap, and dance in an explosive show. Groove, energy, and clever lyrics designed to get the audience moving.
Zaharenco (Romania) – Romanian new jazz, somewhere between spontaneity, classical structure, and rock attitude. Dramatic and intense, with original compositions.
ZaZoo (Netherlands) – Jazz, classical music, and electronics in a fresh and innovative combination, with the cello taking center stage.

About Jazz in the Park Competition

Jazz in the Park Competition is the most important jazz contest in Eastern Europe. Structured as an open-access festival in Central Park, Cluj-Napoca, the event attracts thousands of music lovers who come to discover the most promising young bands from around the world.

As always, each day of the event will end with performances by special guest artists.
The event offers a total prize fund of over €27,500, with each finalist band receiving a guaranteed performance fee of €1,000 and a travel budget of up to €1,000. The grand prize is €5,000, along with an invitation to perform at Jazz in the Park 2026. In addition, artists have the chance to be noticed by industry professionals.

Jazz in the Park Competition is more than a contest — it’s a friendly, open festival with free access, bringing jazz closer to the general public and turning the start of autumn into a celebration of music and creativity.

Main partners: BRD – Groupe Société Générale, Birra Moretti, Purcari
Partners: PPC, Pepsi, Mega Image, IQOS, 8×8, Bonas, Malfy, RMB Inter Auto, Daisler Print House, Olivo Coffee Culture, Colin’s Gastro Pub, Distileria Galben, Mobila Dalin, Iulius Mall, Garden Depot by Grădini Cluj, IARMAROC.com, Audio-Technica, Meze Audio
Funded by: Cluj-Napoca City Hall and Local Council, National Cultural Fund Administration, Cluj County Council
Institutional partners: Europe Jazz Network, YOUROPE, CASINO Urban Culture Center, University of Art and Design, BATRA 2025
Media partners: Rock FM, TVR Cultural, TVR Cluj, The Woman, Radio România Cluj, Kolozsvari Radio, Ziua de Cluj, Cluj24, Cluj Live, Servus Cluj, Visit Cluj, Cărturești

Main Partners: BRD – Groupe Société Générale, Birra Moretti, Purcari

Partners: PPC, Pepsi, Mega Image, IQOS, 8×8, Bonas, Malfy, RMB Inter Auto, Daisler Print House, Olivo Coffee Culture, Colin’s Gastro Pub, Distileria Galben, Mobila Dalin, Iulius Mall, Garden Depot by Grădini Cluj, IARMAROC.com, Audio-Technica, Meze Audio