Call for entries : Showcases European Jazz Conference – 12-14 September 2024 – Gent

From 12 to 14 September 2024 Gent will be the host city of the European Jazz Conference. This prestigious event is the largest annual gathering of professionals from the jazz and creative music sector in Europe, in particular promoters, producers and supporting organizations.

VI.BE, JazzLab and Ha Concerts and associated partner Muziekcentrum De Bijloke are joining forces to welcome more than 400 professionals from 197 organizations and 36 countries in Gent for 3 intense days of exchange, inspiration and discovery through a program of networking sessions, keynotes and panel discussions, and of course showcase concerts of Belgian jazz artists.

VI.BE, JazzLab, Ha Concerts, WBM and Museact – with the support of the FWB within the framework of the Belgian Jazz Meeting, are opening a call for applications, presented by Sabam for Culture and PlayRight+, to give 10 Belgian bands or musicians the opportunity to present a 30-minute showcase at Ha Concerts or Bijloke Muziekcentrum to the international professionals who will be attending this unique event in Gent.

Who should apply for this call?
This call is aimed at professional jazz bands and musicians who are originating from or residing in Belgium with a current project with international appeal.

What are the conditions to apply?
● Solo musicians or band leaders must have either Belgian nationality or a residency in Belgium. Bands may also involve international musicians, as long as the project has a clear link with the Belgian jazz scene.
● All musicians involved in the submitted project must be available from 12 to 14 September 2024 and in case of selection, be willing to play in the exact lineup mentioned in the application and respect the concert schedule defined by the organization.
● The musician(s) must be willing to play a concert of 30 minutes for a lump sum of €250 per musician. Only one larger ensemble/ big band can be selected
● The submitted project is a current project with a long term prospect, that can tour internationally with the line-up mentioned in the application.
● The submitted project has released at least one album/EP/digital release or has an album or digital release planned in the near future.
● The submitted project must have significant touring experience and professional recognition in Belgium.
● The musician(s) work with a booking agent, a manager or have experience of professionally managing the project themselves.

What is required to apply?
• A written English presentation of the project (bio, collaborations, tours, residencies, local and international professional entourage, etc), highlighting the international appeal of the project and giving an overview of current and future international development ambitions.
• Professional audio and (preferably live) video material, giving a good impression of the artistic universe of the project. The national and international jury will make the final selection based on this material.

Deadline for applications
10 December 2023, midnight

Selection procedure
VI.BE, JazzLab and Ha Concerts assemble a longlist of all applications and verify whether each application meets the required criteria.

A Belgian jury consisting of 6 Walloon and 6 Flemish professionals with an in-depth knowledge of the Belgian jazz scene will make a first selection of 20 bands or musicians belonging to the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and 20 bands belonging to the Flemish community.

The final selection of 10 bands will be made by a jury of 4 international and 4 Belgian (2 Flemish and 2 Walloon) professionals and will be announced at Jazzahead in April 2024.

Evidently, both the quality, originality and international potential of the music and live performances, as well diversity and inclusion criteria (gender, ethnicity, age,…), and geographical balance will be taken into account during the selection process.

Apply now
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfR6Auqu55G6DmZm57W36AXAmpLwwc3Dw3xFLSO3KAGXxeJ0g/viewform

Read the full terms and conditions of participation here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ens1hbbELaEGXSF2KFI4hhRr4uE6Cavt/view?usp=drive_link