Registration opens today for the 2025 edition of the Contest dedicated to young jazz talents aged between 18 and 28, sponsored by Conad and Umbria Jazz.

 

For 12 years, the Conad Jazz Contest has offered young musicians a great opportunity to make their music known and, for the 10 finalist bands, to perform on the prestigious stage of Umbria Jazz, as well as cash prizes to support the musical career of the winners.

 

 

 

Bologna, 3 April 2025. Registrations officially open today for the Conad Jazz Contest 2025, an event that has become one of the most anticipated by young talents who see in this contest the opportunity to make their music known and start their musical career directly from the prestigious stage of Umbria Jazz (Perugia, 11-20 July 2025).

From today until May 28, 2025 , individual musicians and bands of up to 8 members can register for free by uploading 3 of their songs directly to the official contest website www.conadjazzcontest.it so that they can be evaluated by a jury of experts and compete with other emerging musicians. As soon as registration is complete, the songs uploaded by participants will be immediately available to listen to for free and without registration directly on the Contest website.

 

The day after the registration deadline, starting from May 29th , a Technical Jury , chaired by Manuele Morbidini , director of Umbria Jazz Orchestra and saxophonist composer, will identify 9 of the 10 finalists. The tenth finalist will be decreed by the “ Popular Jury ” composed of all jazz enthusiasts and the online community who can register on the official website of the Contest and vote for free on the site, via web or smartphone.

 

The 10 finalists thus selected will access the final phase of the Contest and will perform on the coveted stage of Umbria Jazz in front of an audience of enthusiasts and the Artistic Jury , chaired by Stefano Bragatto , Director of Radio Monte Carlo, the official radio station of Umbria Jazz, who will decree the overall winner live on the radio at the end of the performances of all the finalists.

 

The first place winner will receive a series of prizes to support their musical career: a check for 5,000 euros, a tour between the summer of 2025 and the summer of 2026 with live performances on other prestigious jazz stages throughout the peninsula.

 

The big news of the 2025 edition is the agreement with Universal Music Italia for the digital distribution of the EP ( extended play) of the overall winner on all streaming music platforms . An important new collaboration that confirms the success and credibility of the initiative that is today a point of reference in the jazz music scene and further amplifies the opportunity offered by the Contest to make yourself known to the general public and start your musical career .

 

«We are thrilled to continue to concretely support young Jazz musicians through the promotion of this prestigious Contest – says Mauro Lusetti, President of Conad . For us at Conad, this commitment represents a confirmation of our constant effort to promote culture as a common heritage and support young talents. Music and culture are fundamental pillars for building a better future, based on responsibility, principles, values and concrete actions.»

 

Promoting the diffusion of culture as a common heritage, both through the sponsorship of projects promoted by third parties and through initiatives carried out autonomously and directly, is part of Conad’s concrete sustainability strategy “We support the future” based on three dimensions: Environment and Resources, People and Community, Businesses and Territory.

 

Stefano Mazzoni, President of the Umbria Jazz Foundation , adds: « The promotion of music has always been a commitment that Umbria Jazz has carried out with conviction and dedication. Since 2012, this fruitful and intense collaboration with Conad has given the opportunity to many talents to make themselves known and grow, valorizing young people as a fundamental resource for the cultural and artistic development of society. We are therefore increasingly proud to have created an event capable of highlighting the great energy and innovative spirit of the young generations. ».

 

Information and rules at www.conadjazzcontest.it .

Registration open from Wednesday 3 April 2025 to Sunday 28 May 2025.

Online voting starting May 29, 2025 .