The Jazz Showcase is over – here are this year’s prizewinners

This year brought exceptional contributions from leading players in the industry: more partners than ever before joined Müpa Budapest in offering awards, special prizes, as well as opportunities to perform both domestically and internationally. As a result, the six bands that reached the final round were rewarded with a total of 25 concert invitations.

For the first time this year, we presented a best soloist award dedicated to the memory of Péter Pallai. The full list of contributors, awards and winners can be read below.

We wholeheartedly congratulate all the participating bands, and extend our gratitude to the audience for their attention and enthusiastic presence at this three-day jazz celebration.

Müpa Audience Award – opportunity to perform at Müpa Budapest:
Lóránt Péch Quartet

Müpa Jury Award – opportunity to perform at Müpa Budapest:
The Black Tea Group

Péter Pallai Award for the best soloist, who will receive special coverage and opportunities to appear on the Müpa Budapest website and social media channels.
Bence Baranyi

Budapest Music Center Special Prize – opportunity to appear at the Opus Jazz Club:
Bendegúz Németh Quartet

The Budapest Jazz Club Special Prize for the ensemble with the most memorable performance style –
appearance in concert at the BJC, of which a professional sound recording will be made for the use of the band:
Tacet Jazz Quintet

Special Prize of the Jazz Club DS in Dunaszerdahely – opportunity to appear at the Samaria Jazz Festival:
Lóránt Péch Quartet

Hungarian Jazz Federation Special Prizes:

• opportunity to appear at the Margaret Island JAZZ and WINE Weekend:
  Tacet Jazz Quintet

• opportunity to appear in the Hungarian Jazz Federation’s Courtyard at the Valley of the Arts Festival:
  Lóránt Péch Quartet

• opportunity to appear at the Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days on the Hungarian Jazz Federation stage:
  Sharp5

Special Prize for the Veronika Harcsa Courtyard at the Valley of the Arts Festival – appearance opportunity:
Sharp5

Paloznak Jazz Picnic Special Prize – appearance opportunity:
Bendegúz Németh Quartet

VeszprémFest Special Prize – opportunity to appear at the Rose, Rizling, Jazz Festival:
Bendegúz Németh Quartet

Sopronfest Special Prize – opportunity to appear at Kultúrpresszó:
Pocket Pick

Zemplén Festival Special Prize – opportunity to appear:
The Black Tea Group

Special Prize of the 606 Club, London, and the Harmónia Jazz Workshop – opportunity for a soloist to appear at the 606 Club:
Balázs Raboczki (alto saxophone, The Black Tea Group)

Jókai Club Special Prize – opportunity to appear at the Jókai Club as part of the JazzPéntek series:
Pocket Pick

Special Prize of the Ruttner Jazz Club in Veszprém – appearance at the club’s summer festival:
The Black Tea Group

2026 JazzFest Budapest Special Prize – opportunity to appear at the 5th Jazzfest Budapest this year:
Lóránt Péch Quartet
The Black Tea Group

Szentendre Teátrum 2026 Summer Festival Special Prize – opportunity to appear at this year’s festival:
Bendegúz Németh Quartet

Liszt Institute – Bratislava Hungarian Cultural Centre Special Prize
Sharp5

Belgrade Collegium Hungaricum Special Prize, appearance as part of the Petőfi Cultural Programme:
Pocket Pick

Rome Collegium Hungaricum Special Prize, appearance as part of the Petőfi Cultural Programme:
Lóránt Péch Quartet

Liszt Institute – Brussels Hungarian Cultural Centre Special Prize, appearance as part of the Petőfi Cultural Programme:
The Black Tea Group

Liszt Institute – London Hungarian Cultural Centre Special Prize, appearance as part of the Petőfi Cultural Programme:
Bendegúz Németh Quartet

Liszt Institute – Zagreb Hungarian Cultural Centre Special Prize, appearance as part of the Petőfi Cultural Programme:
Tacet Jazz Quintet