Jazz in Finland 100 – Finnish Jazz Showcase 2026
To celebrate the centenary of Finnish jazz, a national showcase event dedicated to Finnish jazz will be organized in Finland. The showcase, aimed at an international professional audience, will take place in April in Espoo in connection with the April Jazz Festival.
In 2026, it will be one hundred years since jazz symbolically arrived in Finland aboard the steamship Andania. In honor of this anniversary year, a wide-ranging Finnish jazz showcase will be held, bringing Finnish jazz into the spotlight in its 100th anniversary year.
The event will bring together promoters, record label representatives, concert organizers, media, and other industry professionals from around the world. The export-focused showcase is organized in collaboration by the Finnish Jazz Federation, Music Finland, April Jazz, and the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki.
The showcase will take place during the April Jazz Festival from Tue 21 – Thu 23 April at various locations around Espoo. Over three days, 8–12 ensembles will perform. The program also includes panel discussions and networking sessions.
How to Apply
-Fill out the application form (link below).
-You may submit up to two (2) applications. If you lead multiple groups, choose the most active and current ones.
-Application opens: 17 Nov 2025 at 10:00
-Application closes: 15 Dec 2025 at 16:00 (late applications will not be considered)
-All applicants will be notified of the decisions by the end of January.
-Fill in the application carefully. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Apply through this form.
Performance Fees
-Showcase performance 30 min: €236.35 + 13.5% holiday compensation per musician
-Travel costs to Espoo will be covered for musicians residing outside the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
-Travel and accommodation for musicians traveling from abroad will not be covered.
Promotional Readiness
Applicants must have:
-High-quality promotional material (photos, bio, stage plot, technical rider)
-Music available on a streaming platform at the time of application
-A written internationalisation plan included in the application
Evaluation Criteria
Selections will emphasize:
-Musical quality and artistic individuality
-Professionalism (e.g., level of recordings and promotional materials)
-Relevance and current activity (e.g., recent releases, performance activity)
-Internationalisation potential
Showcase slots are reserved for ensembles whose members are predominantly Finnish musicians or musicians permanently residing in Finland.
In the final selection, the jury will also consider the diversity of the program, ensuring that the showcase represents the broad spectrum of Finnish jazz.
All performer selections are made by a jury of industry professionals.
Further Information
Tuuli Elo
Head of Export
Music Finland
tuuli.elo@musicfinland.fi
Maria Silvennoinen
Executive Director
Finnish Jazz Federation
maria.silvennoinen@jazzfinland.fi