The BMW Welt Jazz Award to celebrate its fifth anniversary

Munich. In its fifth season, the BMW Welt Jazz Award will be placing its main focus on drummers. With a total of six admission-free Sunday matinees being held from January until March 2013, the BMW Welt Jazz Award will present at the BMW Welt Double Cone under the motto “Leading Drums” prominent and entirely different exponents of their profession. The two finalists will then compete in the final being held at the BMW Welt Auditorium on 20 April 2013. Drummers have always been the driving force of jazz. While jazz has expanded during past decades to encompass virtually all styles, drummers have also refined and enhanced their technique, style and sound. As Oliver Hochkeppel, chairman of the jury comments: “Apart from the choice of trendsetting musicians with their own unique styles, the BMW Welt Jazz Award also excels through its thematic parenthesis, consistently allowing us to keep track of current trends in the international scene. The fifth anniversary of the series will present drummers who are not only rhythmical accompanists, but also composers and bandleaders – which again addresses one of the today’s most significant developments in jazz.” Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the board of the BMW AG, on the choice of jury: “Also during the fifth season of the event, we can expect a selection of musical treasures under the motto ‘Leading Drums’. Once again the jury has been able to organize a both high-class and varied programme that will underscore the international standard of the competition.” After the last matinee, a jury of experts will select two of the six ensembles for the grand finale concert at the Auditorium where they will choose the winner. The BMW Welt Jazz Award is endowed with a prize money of €15,000, of which €10,000 go to the winner along with a trophy designed exclusively for the event by BMW Design, whilst €5,000 are awarded to second place. In addition to the jury prize, an audience prize is also awarded. The ensemble with the best average mark after assessment of all concerts wins an exclusive stay and an appearance at Schloss Elmau.