Now being organised for the twelfth year by Müpa Budapest, the Jazz Showcase is firmly established as one of Central Europe's most important musical talent exchanges. As in previous years, nine young bands will compete to be the jury's, and the audience's, favourite. The performances will represent the broadest possible variety of jazz styles and instrumentation. Winners of the grand prize and audience prize will get a chance to play at Müpa Budapest again in 2019, and special category prizes will also be awarded. This event is presented in association with the Hungarian Jazz Federation, the Zemplén Festival and the Jazz Studies Research Group (Jatakucs).
Alma Bencze took her first singing lesson aged 26. This path led her straight to the jazz department of the Kodolányi János University of Applied Sciences. She completed her degree in 2013 and founded her own quartet in the same period. After a break following the birth of Alma's first son, the group has continued its experimental work with the addition of new band members and a renewed momentum. During a concert in memory of Juli Fábián in January 2018, Alma temporarily bade farewell to the stage once again to focus on looking after her second child. For the 2018/2019 season, Alma received an invitation to perform at the 606 Club in London, while her new line-up, Bencze Alma Project 4, made its debut in Budapest in January of this year. The group's music places a focus on spontaneity and improvisational jamming.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest