Berlin - New York - Amsterdam - Philadelphia - Siena
April 7 & 8 19:30 hrs
Amsterdam Blue Dock Conservatorium van Amsterdam
A competition for outstanding young musicians from Jazz Institute Berlin (Berlin), The School of Jazz & Contemporary Music at the New School (New York), Boyer College of Music & Dance, (Philadelphia), Accademia Nazionale del Jazz (Siena) and Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Amsterdam).
Tuesday April 7th Semi-Final I
Amsterdam Blue Dock, 19.30h
Wednesday April 8th Semi-Final II
Amsterdam Blue Dock, 19.30h
Monday April 20th Jam Session
Amsterdam Blue Dock, 19.30h
Tuesday April 21st Band Coaching finalists
By Donny McCaslin and Yoràn Vroom
Amsterdam Blue Dock, 10:00h – 17:00h
Wednesday April 22nd Masterclass
By Donny McCaslin
Amsterdam Blue Dock, 11:00h
Wednesday April 22nd International Final BIMHUIS, 19.30h PROGRAM
MINJA MIJUŠKOVIĆ NONET
Ilay Shachal – alto/soprano saxophone, flute
Yehorii Uzhva – tenor saxophone
Teddy Sicking – violin
Mara Mostert – violin
Valentina Real Goni – viola
Claudia Vicente Cano – violoncello
Minja Mijušković – piano
Alvaro Orcajo – double bass
Guy Abada – drums
Minja Mijušković Nonet consists of a jazz quintet and string quartet, making a perfect fusion between jazz and classical music. One thing this band will surely make you feel is heartbreaking truth. The band leader is pianist and composer Minja Mijušković. Original music played by her nonet will make you imagine your own story, and hear the colors of the Adriatic Sea and Montenegrian skies. Naked emotions of how it feels to lose someone you love. This music might make you homesick or nostalgic. Nonet welcomes you to experience vision of Para-normal existence in the field between alive and dead, which they will express through jazz-impressionistic pieces composed by Minja Mijušković.
Minja Mijušković was born in Belgrade, Serbia, now she is based in Amsterdam. Minja’s music has already been played in a quintet set up on various venues in the Netherlands and Austria as well as festivals and endowments in Serbia. Her last project was an introduction into her style and who she is as a person, this project was a debut album of Minja Mijušković Quintet Hidden Garden. Currently Minja is working with a large ensemble “M.M. Nonet” which was her long dream to compose for.
DASAMIFE
Miran Noh – piano
Saúl Andreu Baena – trumpet
Federico Campanello – double bass
Davids Eglītis – drums
Inspired by Ravel, Debussy, Shai Maestro, and Immanuel Wilkins, Miran creates imaginative, emotional soundscapes that move fluidly between eras and sonic worlds. Influenced by her Korean cultural roots and the colors of Impressionist music, she has developed a deeply personal compositional voice.
BANDS
JOEP GROTENDORST QUARTET
Joep Grotendorst – saxophone
Evan van der Feen – piano
Veerle van der Wal – bass
Frits Steeghs – drums
Joep Grotendorst Quartet is a band consisting of longtime friends who joined forces to tell their musical stories. Winner of the Prinses Christina Jazz Concours in 2025, the jury called them a quartet with a very unique voice and interplay of an incredibly high level. They like to keep their music intriguing and adventurous with influences ranging from Mark Turner to Wayne Shorter and Milton Nascimento to Olivier Messiaen. Inspiration for their original music comes from films, art, books and everyday life. They will be recording their debut album in the near future and are currently working on expanding their repertoire with new pieces.
BRUKLE & CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Karlīna Priedēna – voice, guitar
Francisco Garrido – guitar
Luismi Aguilar – clarinet, bass clarinet
Micheal Murray – alto saxophone
Valentina Real Goñi – viola
Esther Coolstra – viola
Flavia Escartin – cello
Brukle (Karlīna Priedēna) is a new-generation vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Coming from a diverse musical background in her home country Latvia and currently based in Amsterdam, she brings cultural influences into her work. Leading her chamber ensemble, brukle creates a dreamy soundscape shaped by jazz and classical musicians.
D.N.A TRIO
Dmitriy Loginov – trumpet
Alexandros Adam – guitar
Nicholas Tsangaris – drums
Built on friendship and curiosity, D.N.A Trio is an unconventional bassless trio: drums, trumpet, and guitar. They blend electronics, spacey textures, groove, jazz language, and Eastern melodies.
BANDS
LO-V
Diana Dzhabbar – flute, saxophone alto
Karlina Priedena – guitar, flute, voice
Marta Rodrigues – guitar
Maxime Boyer – guitar
Jules Charbonnier – piano
Veerle van der Wal – bass, doublebass
Ludvig Søndergaard – drums
LO-V is a project imagined by Jules Charbonnier that blends genres and influences to create richly textured and emotionally driven music. By exploring timbres, transe, and sound design, the music becomes a human-centered space, emphasizing inclusivity and connection.
JUSTIN ZITT TRIO
Justin Zitt – piano
Ton Felices – double bass
Ludvig Søndergaard – drums
Justin Zitt is a 23-year-old jazz pianist currently based in Amsterdam. As a teenager, he was accepted into the jazz talent program Jazz Juniors of the state of Baden-Württemberg. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano at the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and completed an exchange at the New School in New York, where he studied with Micah Thomas and Matt Mitchell, among others. Most recently, he won 1st prize at the 8th International Piano Competition in Freiburg.
WAZO BEAN
Carolina Gemmell – voice, guitar
Adrian Bifano – guitar
Aniol Torrents – double bass
Guy Abada – drums
Wazo Bean is music reimagines intelligence through the lens of non-human life. Each song explores the inner world of a different animal, inviting listeners to step outside a humancentered view and reflect on more symbiotic futures with nature. Their live performances have a strong visual and storytelling approach, with their sets woven together by spoken word and a strong theatricality.
BANDS
MATTI KLESSASCHECK SEXTET
Matti Klessascheck – saxophone
Rasmus Lagerberg – vibraphone
Torin Davies – guitar
Justin Zitt – piano
Federico Campanello – double bass
Ludvig Søndergaard – drums
Four mallets plus six strings plus ten fingers: At the band’s core sits a trio with double roles - vibraphone, guitar and piano, all simultaneously carrying melody and harmony, carefully intertwined. Precisely because the three have to share the same confined space, the music that emerges is multi-layered and constantly in motion. Around this core, the sextet unfolds: edgy, garish, playful, radical - and yet completely logical in its inner structure. What the band brings to the stage is its own musical language: like a large ensemble condensed into the agility and intimacy of a small band.
TEIS ORTVED QUINTET
Teis Ortved – tenor saxophone
Andrew Moreno – guitar
Kai Spatzier – piano
Aniol Torrents – double bass
Lluís Pérez-Villegas – drums
The project is mainly based around compositions by saxophonist Teis Ortved. Drawing on a wide range of inspirations in modern jazz, the music strives to feel intuitive while balancing ambiguity with clarity. There is plenty of space for improvisation together with a sometimes strict and sometimes lose approach in arranging the music. The five musicians highly value listening and openness when playing to allow the music to take a meaningful path, also revealing each musicians personality and impulses.
Semi-Finals
JURY SEMI-FINALS
Guy van Hulst
Guy is a music programmer. He has been creating chamber music, jazz, and contemporary music programs for various venues and festivals for twenty years. Currently, he is responsible for the jazz and new music programming at TivoliVredenburg and the Transition festival.
Suzan Veneman
Jazz trumpet player and composer Suzan Veneman captures audiences with her adventurous and soulful sound. After finishing her studies in the USA she has played an active part on the jazz scene both in the Netherlands and abroad. Comfortable in many genres of modern music, she can be seen playing with a wide variety of bands, including: the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, BvR Flamenco Big Band, Zack Lober’s ‘NO FILL3R’, Iman Spaargaren’s ‘Undercurrent Trio’ and her own ambitious projects ‘Zinder’ and the ‘Suzan Veneman Sextet’.
Henk Kraaijeveld
In the land of European jazz vocalists, Henk Kraaijeveld occupies a unique place somewhere between the known and the unknown. He is one of the rare male vocalists that seek musical adventure, bringing together compelling music with poetic lyrics and surprising improvisations. The award-winning singer disarms his audience with his warm voice and natural playfulness on stage. To Kraaijeveld, the storytelling character of music is essential, because of its power to connect people with themselves and the world around them.
Jesse van Ruller
Jesse van Ruller started his studies in 1990 as a student with Wim Overgaauw at the Hilversum Conservatory and he completed his studies there, with the highest possible scores, in 1995. In the same year he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition, being the first European to be awarded with this prestigious prize. He recorded two CDs under his name and plays with his own trio and quartet. He can also be heard in lots of other bands including The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, Michiel Borstlap Group, The Piet Noordijk Quintet and in duo with guitarist Maarten van der Grinten.
Maripepa Contreras
Maripepa Contreras is one of the few jazz oboists in the world and is active in both the classical and jazz scenes. Originally from Spain, she completed her classical training there, performing with various orchestras and winning several awards. In 2015 she moved to Amsterdam to study jazz at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she completed her bachelor’s degree. In 2021 she earned a master’s degree in jazz oboe. She now works as a performer, composer, arranger, and teaches jazz oboe lessons.
Semi-Finals
PRESENTER SEMI-FINALS
Anna-Maria Nitschke
Anna-Maria Nitschke is Head of Jazz Voice, Strings, Guitar and Ensembles and Senior Producer at the Jazz Department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. With a background as a jazz vocalist and educator, she maintains a close connection to the stage and the international jazz community. Alongside her work at the Conservatorium, she regularly presents concerts, competitions, and special events. She has hosted numerous events at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and has been the presenter of the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award semifinals for the past five editions, as well as events at venues such as the Bimhuis, Muziekgebouw and JazzFest Amsterdam.
PRIZES SEMI-FINALS
Both finalists: €1250,-
Incentive Prize: €750,-
Audience Prize: Studio day at the CvA (one winner per semi-final)
All semi-finalists received coaching by a CvA faculty member of their choice.
CvA Online is the online extension of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Crafted as an interactive video program, CvA Online offers you a structured and monitored learning path that will bring you the same passion for music that we share every day in our classrooms. Our online courses are the result of decades of teaching experience and are taught by the same renowned instructors that teach at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
For more information see www.cvaonline.nl
The following prestigious music schools of the United States and Europe will compete against each other in the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award 2026:
Jazz Institute Berlin, Berlin
The Jazz Institute Berlin (JIB) is a joint institute of the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin and the Berlin University of the Arts. With its international reputation, the JIB is one of the most prestigious training institutions for jazz in Europe. It offers artistic degree programs in Jazz (Vocal/Instrumental) (B.Mus.), Jazz (Vocal/Instrumental) (M.Mus.), Jazz (Composition/Arrangement) (M.Mus.), and the European Jazz Master (EUJAM) (M.Mus.). The internationally oriented EUJAM program is a collaboration with universities in Amsterdam, Paris, Basel, and Trondheim, allowing students to study at three different locations over four semesters and thus build an excellent international network. With its top-class faculty and a broad range of courses, the Jazz Institute Berlin reflects the diverse currents of jazz and improvised music. A high proportion of international students, networking with the vibrant jazz scene of the metropolis Berlin, internationally renowned workshop instructors, an in-house recording studio and the concert hall characterize the institute.
The School of Jazz & Contemporary Music at the New School, New York
The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music is renowned across the globe as a center for progressive, ground-breaking artists. Considered the most innovative school of its kind, it offers students an artist-as-mentor approach to learning. This is a rare place where students can pursue what makes their artistic voice unique. We encourage students to explore their own talents and reach across disciplines to construct new rhythms, inventive compositions, and original means of expression. There are nearly 80 ensembles students can play in each semester. Outside the classroom, New York City becomes a performance hall. Play in clubs, concert halls, and venues throughout New York and in festivals and exchange programs around the world. Students will be immersed not only in the newest music but also in the nuances of the music industry. Our curriculum allows students to infuse their music education with elements of design, literature, history, journalism and more. The results of this university-wide interconnectivity can be seen in the success of our alumni in a range of genres and categories of creative work, both in and outside of music.
Accademia Nazionale del Jazz, Siena
Siena Jazz Academy, founded in 1977 and located within Siena’s historic Medicean Fortress, is a leading institution for higher education, research, and artistic production in jazz. Renowned for combining tradition with contemporary practices, the academy offers Bachelor’s, Master’s,
and PhD programs focused on performance, composition, and improvisation. Siena Jazz is deeply connected to the international academic and artistic community, with an active role in the Erasmus+ programme and a distinguished international faculty. Beyond education, it serves as a major cultural hub for jazz in Europe, hosting influential summer workshops, maintaining a vast jazz archive, and collaborating with world-class jazz musicians.
Boyer College of Music & Dance, Philadelphia
The Boyer College of Music and Dance offers over 500 events open to the public each year. Students have the unique opportunity to interact with leading performers, composers, conductors, educators, choreographers and guest artists while experiencing a challenging and diverse academic curriculum. The Boyer faculty are recognized globally as leaders in their respective perform with major orchestras, fields. Boyer alumni are ambassadors of artistic leadership and opera and dance companies, teach at schools and colleges and work as professional music therapists, choreographers and composers. Boyer’s recording label, BCM&D records, has produced more than thirty recordings, five of which have received Grammy nominations.
Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Amsterdam
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam is deeply committed to excellence in education, performance and creative activity and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. A premier international conservatory, we inspire and empower highly talented individuals to realize their potential. For this, we offer bachelor’s and master’s degree courses in classical, jazz and popular music, a Music in Education program and the National program for young top talents. The main purpose of the Jazz program is to educate young, gifted students to become strong, independent and original musicians, who can perform, teach and write and above all shape their own musical future. The educational program, the faculty members, and a dynamic environment guarantee that those who are admitted can optimally develop their personal qualities. The rich cultural resources in Amsterdam, one of the leading musical centers of Europe, and specifically designed new building with four concert halls and high-quality facilities all contribute to an optimal setting.
Mads Riis Quintet
(Jazz Institute Berlin, Berlin)
Ronja Andersson – voice
Bruno Bode – alto saxophone
Mads Riis – guitar
Tino Ribeiro – bass
Steven Moser – drums
With roots in jazz, the music is a tapestry of powerful melodies, atmospheric sound, and minimalist aesthetics. It is an exploration of identity and belonging.
At its core, the music springs from a longing to find one’s roots and a sense of standing firm in a time marked by increasing uncertainty. The result is music that paints vivid portraits of inner life, where nostalgia and hope meet. It often draws inspiration from places, memories, or relationships in the hope that the music will appeal to the listener and allow them to reflect and explore memories and emotions in their own way.
BAND 1 BAND 2
Argena (Accademia Nazionale del Jazz, Siena)
Niccolò Montè Rizzi – trumpet
Ariel Tricomi – piano
Matisse Berg – double bass
Gabriele Peretti – drums
“A sophisticated, visionary project, with a fine balance between composition and interplay, which is already making waves and will continue to do so.” – Sikelian
Argena has its roots in different but complementary backgrounds, where timbral exploration, improvisation, and interaction coexist in a contemporary and layered sound. The project presents itself as ever-evolving, where each performance is an open dialogue, fluid, bold, human.
FINAL April 22
BAND 3
The Wei In (The School of Jazz & Contemporary Music at the New School, New York)
Sean Hong Wei – tenor saxophone
Bishesh Paudel – trombone
Hana Igarashi – piano
Sedge Green – bass
Ben Esposito – drums
“The Wei In” is a tight-knit group of friends and collaborators from The New School based in New York City. They share a love of the jazz tradition and a fearless approach to modern expression. Sean Hong Wei, a Singaporean-born saxophonist and composer, has performed with jazz luminaries such as Benny Golson, Reggie Workman, Billy Hart, Billy Harper, Randy Brecker, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars Big Band. Trombonist Bishesh Paudel, from Houston, Texas, has collaborated with Jason Moran, Wynton Marsalis, Don Braden, and Gene Perla. Pianist Hana Igarashi, originally rooted in classical music and later shaped by her studies in Paris and at The New School, continues to develop a distinctive voice influenced by mentors such as Peter Giron. Bassist, Sedge Green, only in his second year of studies at The New School hails from San Francisco, California. Drummer Ben Esposito, is also a composer from the Bay Area, California, and has performed with Jazzmeia Horn, Fred Armisen, Joshua Redman, Essiet Essiet, and Johnny O’Neal.
BAND 4
Temple Parliament Sextet
(Boyer College of Music & Dance, Philadelphia)
Ray Kaneko – alto saxophone
Jesse Deems – trumpet
Richard LaRouech – trombone
Anthony Aldissi – piano
Graham Kozak – bass
Mekhi Boone – drums
Featuring top undergraduate and graduate jazz students in Temple University’s award-winning jazz program, the Temple Parliament Sextet performs a wide array of jazz styles at the highest level. Emerging artists bassist Graham Kozak, pianist Anthony Aldissi, drummer Mekhi Boone, trombonist Richard LaRouech, trumpeter Jesse Deems, and saxophonist Ray Kaneko play with the swing, soul and groove that are Philadelphia’s strongest contributions to jazz. They’re shaping their own sound based on the masters that came before them, with help from incredible faculty at Temple University, including Director of Jazz Studies Terell Stafford and saxophonist Ted Nash.
BANDS 5 & 6
Winners Semi-Finals CvA
PRIZES INTERNATIONAL FINAL
Keep an Eye International Jazz Award (sculpture design by Jules Bernard)
First Prize: € 3000,-
Second Prize: €2000,-
Incentive Prize: €1000,-
Best ‘Melba Liston’ arrangement: €1000,-
Audience Prize: studio time worth €1000,-
Best CvA soloist: participation in the Siena Jazz International Summer Workshop 2026
Best non-CvA soloist: participation in the KaE Summer Jazz Workshop 2026, Amsterdam
FINAL April 22
JURY FINAL
Shane Burmania
Shane Burmania is a Dutch music programmer and curator with a strong focus on jazz and adventurous, boundary-pushing music. He is connected to leading venues and festivals and is known for his innovative programming. With his broad network and artistic vision, he brings together international artists and audiences.
Anette von Eichel
Anette von Eichel is a German jazz vocalist, composer, and lyricist known for her versatile work ranging from contemporary jazz to free improvisation. Von Eichel is professor of jazz singing and Dean of Jazz and Pop at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and serves on the board of the Deutsche Jazzunion.
Donny McCaslin
A whirlwind on saxophone; that is a fitting way to describe tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin. He gained widespread recognition as bandleader on David Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, and drew inspiration from this album to develop his own, boundarypushing sound: a hybrid of jazz and art rock.
Jason Lindner
Jason Lindner’s musical journey knows no limits. The formidable improviser and composer brings a uniquely open and refreshing approach to all of his musical endeavors. Praised by Chick Corea as a ‘musical universe’, he writes, performs, arranges, and produces for an ever-growing roster of creative beings.
Marike van Dijk
Dutch saxophonist, composer, and arranger Marike van Dijk is currently pursuing a PhD in composition in Brisbane, Australia. Van Dijk leads the chamber jazz ensemble The Stereography Project. A versatile performer and educator, she has toured internationally with numerous big bands and taught at several European conservatories.
PRESENTER FINAL
Isla van Hout
Isla Van Hout is an Amsterdam-based jazz vocalist, concert producer, and (tour) manager active across the European jazz scene. Moving naturally between stage and backstage, she works where artistry and production meet, helping bring music from idea to stage. Alongside performing, she is Head of Production at BIMHUIS and collaborated as a “manager à la carte” with artists such as Kika Sprangers, Benjamin Herman, and Fuensanta. As a presenter, Isla previously appeared at BIMHUIS, North Sea Jazz Festival, and Keep an Eye The Records.
BAND COACHES
Donny McCaslin
Donny McCaslin is an acclaimed American saxophonist and composer known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz through his fusion of rock, electronic, and improvisational music. Widely recognized for his pivotal role on Blackstar by David Bowie, McCaslin gained global attention for the intensity and expressive power of his playing on Bowie’s final masterpiece.
Over the course of more than a dozen albums as a leader, McCaslin has continually explored new sonic territories. His work blends the energy of rock with the sophistication of jazz improvisation, drawing inspiration from artists such as Neil Young, Nine Inch Nails, and Rage Against the Machine.
is 2025 release Lullaby for the Lost, released on Edition Records, continues this evolution with a bold, guitar-driven sound and emotionally charged compositions. Recorded with long-time collaborators including Jason Lindner, Tim Lefebvre, and Ben Monder, the album balances raw live-band energy with rich studio production.
With a fearless approach to genre and sound, McCaslin remains a leading voice in modern jazz, creating music that transforms personal emotion and collective experience into powerful, forward-thinking artistry. ■
BAND COACHES
Yoràn Vroom
Yoràn Vroom started music at a young age. He attributes an important part of his musical development studying drums with Surinamese/ Dutch drum master Eddy Veldman and WestAfrican percussion with Master Ponda O' Bryan early on. Yoràn graduated from the Conservatory of Amsterdam.
Currently active on the Dutch/European (jazz) music scene. He has worked with and continues working with Internationally known artists Frank McComb, Ed Motta, Cory Henry, Kinga Glyk, and many others. ■
“Yoràn Vroom is quickly developing into one of the leading musicians of our time.”
– Vrije Geluiden
ARRANGING ASSIGNMENT 2026
Celebrating Melba Liston (Centennial)
The 2026 edition of the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award marks the centennial of Melba Liston, a trombonist, composer, and arranger whose work forms an important part of the post-war jazz big band tradition.
Throughout her career, Liston performed and collaborated with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones and developed a long and particularly close musical partnership with pianist Randy Weston. From the late 1950s onward, she arranged and orchestrated many of Weston’s compositions, helping shape a body of large-ensemble music that brought together jazz writing with elements drawn from African and Afro-diasporic musical traditions.
Liston’s writing is recognised for its strong grounding in the blues and the jazz language of her time, clear motivic thinking, and carefully balanced ensemble textures. At a time when very few women were active as brass instrumentalists, composers, or arrangers in jazz, she established a respected career both as a performer and as an arranger.
In honour of her centennial, and as a way of highlighting women’s leadership in jazz, this year’s arranging assignment invites participating ensembles to engage with Liston’s musical language and creative legacy through a new arrangement or re-composition. ■
KEEP AN EYE FOUNDATION
Jazz, fine arts, film, photography, design, fashion...
The Keep an Eye Foundation is always ‘on the lookout’ for aspiring young talent, such as musicians, artists, photographers, designers, filmmakers, and performing and circus artists. By providing grants, together with the chance of winning prizes, and by co-organising a number of shows and festivals, we enable the aspiring young talent not just to develop their skills, creating new opportunities, but also to achieve their creative goals. The Keep an Eye Foundation additionally focuses on collaborations between different creative disciplines This way we encourage students to view their work from a new perspective.
www.keepaneye.nl / www.galeriepouloeuff.nl
CALENDAR JAZZ DEPARTMENT
spring/summer 2026
April 7
April 7
April 8
April 13
April 14
April 18
April 19
April 21
April 22
April 22
April 23
Masterclass Ibrahim Maalouf
Keep an Eye International Jazz Award Semi-Final 1
Keep an Eye International Jazz Award Semi-Final 2
A Beautiful Mess jam session
Big Band conducted by Ilja Reijngoud
12 Hours of Jazz
Keep an Eye The Youngsters Concert
Masterclass Dan Barrett
Masterclass Donny McCaslin
Keep an Eye International Jazz Award Final
EUJAM Joint Intensive Course Concert
For more information see our concert calendar: www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl
Concept Development
Conservatorium van Amsterdam & Keep an Eye Foundation
Production & PR
Anna-Maria Nitschke, Bas van Otterloo, Nicole van Hoeve, Donna van Dijck, Lisa Schauerbeck
