JAM at Austria’s Alle Neun in Contest 2026: Special Award for Michael Bauer

At Austria’s Alle Neun in Contest 2026, the singer-songwriter and band contest of the country’s nine music universities and conservatories, JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna was represented by Christos Kavazis and Band at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna campus. The event brought together selected young acts from all nine institutions and offered a strong snapshot of the current popular music scene in Austria.

The JAM group delivered a very strong performance and received a great deal of positive feedback from the jury. Representing JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna, Christos Kavazis appeared with Alan Bartus on keyboards, Michael Bauer on bass, Adrian Varady on drums and Jonas Schottenloher on backing vocals. The ensemble performed “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and the original song “Holding On To You” by Adrian Varady, presenting JAM with artistic confidence, musical quality, and a powerful live presence on a national stage.

The jury featured prominent voices from the Austrian music scene: Hubert von Goisern, Ina Regen, Missy May, David Buder, and Christian Kolonovits. Their presence underlined the importance of the contest as a platform for emerging artists in songwriting, live performance, arrangement, and vocal and instrumental musicianship.

Congratulations to the prize winners of this year’s edition: first place went to Chrissi Schmolmüller & the band Krall from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, second place to Livin’Vintage from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, and third place to Neza Okorn from the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna.

A special highlight from JAM’s perspective was the Special Award for Best Sideman, which was awarded to JAM bassist Michael Bauer. This distinction underlines the high artistic level of the JAM ensemble and marks an important success for JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna at one of Austria’s key platforms for young popular music, live performance, and songwriting.