Call for applications: A to JazZ Festival in Bulgaria

A to JazZ Festival is one of the most significant jazz and world music festivals in the Balkan region. Eight international emerging artists will be selected by an international jury.

The selected artists will be heard and seen by professional international bookers, festival programmers and musical curators. They will have an opportunity to get feedback from professionals, to expand their professional network, and potentially get booked for future shows and participate in educational training sessions.

Who can apply?

• Bands from all EU countries, including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosna and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Tunisia and Ukraine.
• World music projects and bands.

What A to JazZ Festival will offer emerging artists:

• Full access to all festival concerts, network events, training sessions and the A to JazZ Talks conference.
• Exposure and feedback from a pool of international professionals in the music industry, including bookers, festival programmers, music curators, journalists and experts.
• Booking opportunities by international delegates.
• To reach international audiences, performing in front of thousands of people at A to JazZ.
• To significantly increase their knowledge and network during training sessions and feedback meetings connected to the showcases, A to JazZ Talks conference and entire festival.
• €500 (about $530) budget per band and hotel accommodation from 5 to 7 July (only for international artists).

An emerging artist is one who fulfils at least five of the below criteria:

• Artist/band who has no more than three albums released.
• Maximum five years since the release of the artist’s debut album (of the applicant band/project).
• No more than 20 000 followers on social media (for each social media platform).
• The average age of the band’s members must not exceed 35 years.
• The band/project has not participated in an international tour of more than 10 gigs/concerts.
• The band/project does not have a contract with an international record label.
• The band has up-to-date online presence (website and social media).

Artists/bands must fulfil at least five of the below criteria:

• Artist/band with no more than three albums released.
• The applicant artist/band’s first album released after June 2018.
• No more than 20 000 followers on social media (for each social media platform).
• The average age of a band’s members must not exceed 35 years.
• The artist/band has not been on an international tour of more than 10 gigs/concerts.
• The artist/band does not have a contract with an international record label.
• The artist/band has up-to-date online presence (website and social media).
• The band/project has had at least one performance in a professional setting.

Interested artists can apply here before 8 March.

View the original call here.