CARINTHIA JAZZ

Home of the CIJA and the Carinthian Summer Jazz Intensive

Saxophone Competition

The Carinthian International Jazz Award (CIJA)

The initiative to culturally vitalize and diversify the region is a significant endeavor. By fostering an environment that embraces and promotes artistic expression, the CIJA aims to not only showcase the talents of young jazz musicians but also to provide them with valuable performance and career opportunities. This inclusive approach, which welcomes applicants from every corner of the globe, exemplifies the profound impact of music in transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

The annual nature of the CIJA ensures the continuity of this platform, offering a consistent opportunity for young musicians to participate and showcase their talents. Furthermore, by setting the age limit for applicants at under 30, the CIJA acknowledges and supports the formative years of aspiring jazz musicians, providing them with a platform to shine and develop their craft.

The commitment to equal opportunity is paramount, and the decision to accept audio files as the sole means of evaluation underscores the dedication to fairness and objectivity. By removing visual bias and focusing solely on the auditory content, the CIJA prioritizes the merit and artistic excellence of the applicants, creating an environment where talent and skill reign supreme.

How the Competition Works

  • Application deadline: June 1st, 2024
  • Finalists announced: June 5th, 2024
  • Send link to audio files to: carinthiajazz@gmail.com
  • Eligibility: Saxophonists under 30 (as of July 26th, 2024)
  • Finals: July 26th, 2024 in person in Arnoldstein, Austria.
  • Application Guidelines: See Below
  • Prizes:
  • 1st Place: 600,-
  • 2nd Place: 350,-
  • 3rd Place: 250,-
  • Audience Choice Award: Gift Basket

We also provide a free Hotel or Airbnb stay for all finalists from July 26 to July 27, 2024, as well as transportation to and from local train stations and Klagenfurt or Ljubljana airports.

Application

  1. Fill out the registration form
  2. Submit the payment of the application
  3. Send the link to your audio file. Follow the instructions below.

How to Pay

CIJA Registration Fee

€30.00

How to Apply

APPLICATION FILE GUIDELINES

Submit ONE LINK TO AN AUDIO FILE containing TWO CONTRASTING PIECES. The two selections must be from two different categories.: 

Category 1 Ballads: E.g.: “Body and Soul” or similar.

Category 2 Bebop: E.g.: “Donna Lee,” “Anthropology,” or similar.

Category 3 Blues: E.g.: “Tenor Madness,” “Billie’s Bounce,” or similar.

Category 4 Standard: E.g.: “There Will Never Be Another You,” or similar.

Category 5 Latin: E.g.: “Recorda Me,” “Blue Bossa,” or similar.

  • You have to be accompanied by a backing track or other musicians.
  • The performance must be no longer than 6 minutes in total. 
  • Adjudicators will not listen to your file before we have received your application fee.

Meet the Judges

Jure Pukl, recipient of Slovenia’s prestigious Nagrada Prešernovega sklada 2015, is a dynamic saxophonist renowned for his innovative contributions to jazz. Educated at prestigious institutions including the University of Vienna and Berklee College of Music, he has honed his craft under the guidance of luminaries like Joe Lovano and George Garzone. Pukl’s illustrious career spans collaborations with jazz legends such as Dave Liebman and Branford Marsalis, as well as performances at renowned venues and festivals worldwide. With eight albums to his name and numerous accolades, including acclaim from Downbeat and The New York Times, Pukl’s music blends modern jazz, avant-garde, and free jazz with a profound emphasis on collaborative interplay.

Hans Lassnig-Walder is the chief conductor and arranger of the kelagBIGband, whose infrastructure allows him to work regularly with international and regional soloists. In collaboration with other large ensembles (e.g., Kärntner Landesjugendchor, EURO Symphony SFK, Girardi strings), his attention as a composer and arranger is focused on developing a sound that reflects the landscape, languages, and mentalities of the Alps-Adriatic region. Hans Lassnig-Walder has been an integral member of the CIJA since its founding in 2018.

Gilbert Waldner grew up in Klagenfurt and studied philosophy in Graz. He began working as a cultural journalist in the areas of theater, literature, and jazz in Carinthia in the mid-1980s. Even when his career path took him into business, he remained loyal to jazz. He has been writing concert reviews, reviews of new albums, portraits of musicians and more for decades. In 2007, monthly two-hour radio programs in the “Take the Jazztrain” format were added for Radio Agora, which he now produces himself.

The audience plays a pivotal role in the event, effectively serving as the fourth member of the jury. This important role empowers members of the audience to actively participate in the voting process by scanning a provided QR Code to submit their placement choices. Their input not only impacts the overall outcome of the event but also contributes to the determination of the coveted audience choice award. This inclusion adds an exciting and interactive element to the proceedings, bridging the gap between the performers and the audience, and ensuring that their preferences and opinions are fully integrated into the event’s results.