Now being organised for the twelfth year by Müpa Budapest, the Jazz Showcase is firmly established as one of Central Europe's most important musical talent exchanges. As in previous years, nine young bands will compete to be the jury's, and the audience's, favourite. The performances will represent the broadest possible variety of jazz styles and instrumentation. Winners of the grand prize and audience prize will get a chance to play at Müpa Budapest again in 2019, and special category prizes will also be awarded. This event is presented in association with the Hungarian Jazz Federation, the Zemplén Festival and the Jazz Studies Research Group (Jatakucs).
After completing studies in classic and folk music, Panka Szczuka began studying jazz at the Teleki-Wattay Art School at the age of 14. Panka was awarded first place in the Solo Vocalist category of the 2nd Hungarian National Jazz Music Competition, while in 2018 she reached the final of the Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition organised by the Hungarian Jazz Federation. In September 2018, she began studying in the vocal jazz department of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. She has been playing alongside guitarist Márton Menyhért for two years, though the Panka & Malac duo have now expanded to form a quintet alongside the saxophonist Dániel Cseke, Dániel Arday on double bass and Bence Baranyi on drums. In addition to some classics of the genre, the group's repertoire also includes contemporary jazz and pop hits.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest