Since 2017, the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival is successfully hosting the Sena Performers International Jazz Laureate Festival. The purpose of this event is to foster international careers by creating an environment for finalists from jazz and world music competitions worldwide. Besides performing at the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival, the laureates establish global connections and start meaningful collaborations through the exchange of talents. The festival enables international laureates to network with festival directors from around the globe.
The Sena Performers International Jazz Laureate Festival is an initiative by Dutch music organizations JazzNL, Sena Perfomers and NTB, in alignment with Amersfoort Jazz. It relies on the commitment of international jazz & world festivals and competitions. André Le Roux, managing director of South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO) sees this initiative as the beginning of a longlasting collaboration: “This festival creates an opportunity for our scholarship winners to make an international breakthrough and participate in important master classes”.
Since 2017, the foundation JazzNL organizes the Sena Performers International Jazz Laureate Festival as a full-fledged concert program during the annual festival Amersfoort World Jazz Festival. The purpose of this event is to foster international careers by presenting and connecting finalists from World Jazz competitions worldwide. The laureates are endorsed by the festivals that attend the festival Amersfoort Jazz and its World Jazz Conference (JazzNL). The young musicians are selected by a special committee, composed of members of the international JazzNL Network. Besides performing at the festival Amersfoort Jazz, the laureates establish global connections and start meaningful collaborations through the exchange of talents. The festival enables international laureates to network with festival directors from around the globe.
Laureates in 2022
FRIDAY, AUGUST, 12, DE OBSERVANT
Unleashed Cooperation (POL)
Endorsed by Szczecin Jazz Festival, Poland
Keorapetse Kolwane (ZAF)
Endorsed by Joy of Jazz, South Africa
Alessandro Laura & Geatano Castiglia (IT)
Endorsed by Brass Group Foundation, Italy
SATURDAY, AUGUST, 13, DE OBSERVANT
Camilla George (UK)
Endorsed by Ronnie Scotts, United Kingdom
Pit Dahm Quartet (LUX)
Endorsed by Like a Jazz Machine, Luxembourg
Eakpiya Sandpond (THA)
Endorsed by Hua Hin International Jazz Festival, Thailand
SUNDAY, AUGUST, 14, DE OBSERVANT
Jodi Fredericks (ZAF)
Endorsed by Festival Banyan Tree, India
Peter Somuah Group (NL)
Endorsed by Amersfoort World Jazz Festival, The Netherlands
Lucas Santana (BR)
Endorsed by Amersfoort World Jazz Festival, The Netherlands
Laureates in 2020
FRIDAY, MAY 15, DE LIEVE VROUW
• T.B.A. Laureate from the Dutch Jazz Competition (NLD)
endorsed by Amersfoort Jazz festival, The Netherlands
• Kasia Pietrzko Trio (POL),
endorsed by Szczecin Jazz Festival, Poland
• Petra Várallyay Trio (HUN),
endorsed by Babel Sound Jazz Fesztivál, Hungary
SATURDAY, MAY 16, DE OBSERVANT
• Fernando Brox (ESP), w/ Broxilla,
endorsed by Festival Jazz Cadiz, Spain
• Tontrakul (THA), w/ Sound of Siam,
endorsed by Hua Hin International Jazz Festival, Thailand
• Baturay Yarkin Trio ft. Nagme Yarkin (TUR),
endorsed by Yeldegirmeni Spring Jazz Festival, Turkey
SUNDAY, MAY 17, DE LIEVE VROUW
• Flora Carbo (AUS), w/ Origami,
endorsed by Wangaratta, Australia
• Keorapetse Kolwane & Daniëlla Hart (ZAF), w/ Thapelo Khumisi,
endorsed by Joy of Jazz, South Africa
• Laura Marti (UKR), w/ Trio Nataliya Lebedeva,
endorsed by Leopolis Jazz Fest, Ukraine
Take a look at the Amersfoort Jazz YT Channel
The Sena Performers International Jazz Laureate Festival is an initiative by Dutch music organizations JazzNL, Sena Perfomers and NTB, in alignment with Amersfoort Jazz. It relies on the commitment of international jazz & world festivals and competitions. André Le Roux, managing director of South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO) sees this initiative as the beginning of a longlasting collaboration: “This festival creates an opportunity for our scholarship winners to make an international breakthrough.”
Laureates in 2019
Alex Hirlian (AUS), Wanda Baloyi (SAF), SaXPackGirl (THA), Arthur Endo (BRA), Jason Eduwaiti (SUR), Sun-Mi Hong (KOR/NLD), Ákos Fekecs Quartet (HUN), Dmitry Ilugdin Trio (RUS), JazzBIT (ROM), Cazzip Project (TUR), Claire Parsons & Eran Har Even Duo (LUX/ISR).
Laureates in 2018
Kika Sprangers (NLD), Sebastiaan van Bavel (NLD), Dock In Absolute (LUX), Jazzamboka (CAN/CON), Daahoud Salim (ESP/NLD), Darren English (SAF), Laura Perrudin (FRA), James Macaulay (AUS), Thandi Ntuli (SAF), Ivan Mazuze Quintet (NOR/MOZ), Ntando Ngcapu (SAF) and Nikolai Moiseenko (RUS).
Laureates in 2017
LRK Trio (RUS), Paul Jarrett Quintet (FRA), Florian Favre Trio (SUI), Zoë Modiga/Bokani Dyer/Linda Sikhakhane (SAF), Subtext (ISR), Uriel Herman (ISR), Vuma Levin Quintet (SAF), Belem (BEL), Sisters of Invention (SWE), Mihael Hrustelj Trio (SLO), AsianScolars (KOR), Dominic J. Marshall Trio (GRB), Xavi Torres Trio (ESP/NLD), Okabe Family (JAP). Young laureates from the Dutch Prinses Christina Jazz Concours: Tadiro Velzel Quartet a.k.a. ‘Hourglass’, Idemo Quintet, Fuensanta Mendez Quintet (MEX), Antisia Machneva Quartet (RUS), Teis Semey Group (DAN), Raquel Kurpershoek, Ian Cleaver, Junior Jazz Unlimited Bigband and Bigband De Pubi’s (NLD).