Log Out

Ed - Detroit Jazz Festival 2026 Collegiate Combo Competition -

Detroit Jazz Festival 
 2026 Collegiate Combo Competition
presented by Central Michigan University

DESCRIPTION:
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is celebrating the excellence and opportunity inherent in Michigan’s college and university jazz programs. Where once jazz was viewed as an inappropriate area of study in Colleges and Universities, now jazz degree programs and ensembles are a central part of many music departments across the country. These programs are led by some of the leading jazz artists in the world and offer students powerful mentoring, valuable information, creative directions, and unique performance opportunities. The 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival Collegiate Combo Competition presented by Central Michigan University seeks to reward those student musicians who have developed the discipline, artistry, and professionalism to thrive in this competitive and demanding environment.

AWARDS:
The winning combo shall receive:

  • $2000 cash award
  • A paid performance slot at the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival
  • A paid performance slot at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, 97 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
  • Be featured in the Detroit Jazz Festival’s 2026 program and website

ELIGIBILITY:

  • This competition is for university and college jazz combos
  • Application and associated audio tracks must be received by July 5th, 2026
  • All members of the combo must be a current college or university music student as of April/May 2026 (combos may contain students from different colleges/universities)
  • Combos must be trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet, Octet, or Nonet
  • All combos must provide contact information of a university/college music faculty willing to affirm that the combo is indeed made up of current university/college students
  • Finalists will be notified by July 7th, 2026
  • All applicants must be available to perform, if selected, at the Finals:
    • Friday, July 31st, 6:30-9:30 pm  (30 min. set)
      • live performances to take place at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe.
  • All applicants must be available to perform, if selected, at Winner’s performance:
    • Saturday, August 1st, 630-930 at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, 2 sets
    • A 60-75 minute set at the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival
  • All transportation to and from the competition and performance, if selected, will be the sole responsibility of the artist. 

PROCESS:

  • Each combo is to complete this application in its entirety (by July 5th). Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • With the application, each combo will upload 2 audio tracks that highlight the best of the combos works and improvisation skills (each track should not exceed 7 minutes; edit or clip if necessary)
  • Professional jazz artists will review the audio tracks blind and choose the top 4-5 combos who will perform at the Finals where judges will be onsite.
  • Finalists will be contacted directly by July 8th
  • Finals are:
    • Friday, July 31st 6:30-9:30 pm  (30 min. set)
    • live performances to take place at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe

Applicants must complete and submit form below:

First Name
Last Name
Email
Cell/Mobile
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/County
Zip/Postcode

*The above member will be used as the Primary Contact and will be present for all rehearsals/performances and responsible for communications regarding the collection and distribution of all materials required for participation in any Detroit Jazz Festival event.

Combo Performance Name
This is the official billing title that will be used for all media and publicity materials. 
If this information is has changed or is incorrect in any way, please contact contracts@detroitjazzfestival.com immediately.
Combo Members
Combo Website

Track #1

Track #1 Title
Track #1 Arranger/Composer
Track #1 File Upload
(MAX SIZE 5000MB)

Track #2

Track #2 Title
Track #2 Arranger/Composer
Track #2 File Upload
(MAX SIZE 5000MB)
To confirm university/college status of combo:
Confirmation of availability:

By checking this box, I confirm that the entire combo as listed above will be available to perform, if selected, at the Finals:

-Friday, July 31st, 6:30-9:30 pm (30 min. set) 
-Saturday, August 1st, 6;30-9:30pm (full night)
Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
97 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

And available to perform, if selected, at the Winner’s performance:

2026 Detroit Jazz Festival - Festival Plaza (60-75 min. set)