Curtains up for Austrian jazz: On December 3 and 4, the KICK JAZZ Festival returns to the main stage of Porgy & Bess, bringing forward some of the country’s most exciting emerging jazz acts and shining a spotlight on the strength and creativity of the local scene.
On December 3rd and 4th, 2025, AUSTRIAN MUSIC EXPORT and PORGY & BESS will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their joint festival with an outstanding line-up from the young jazz scene.
What began in 2016 as an initiative to promote Austrian jazz, has developed over the last decade into one of the most important showcase festivals for young talent. Many of the musicians (Sophie Abraham, David Helbock, Mario Rom's Interzone, etc.) who have performed here are now playing on major international stages.
This year, AUSTRIAN MUSIC EXPORT and PORGY & BESS are once again presenting six extraordinary formations that showcase the diversity of contemporary jazz in Austria – from conceptualized free jazz to cross-genre sound experiments.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMM
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 8:30 p.m.
CHEZ FRÍA
This ensemble demolishes genre boundaries. From Johann Sebastian Bach to jazz – with synthesizers, percussion, trumpet and recorder, they re-interpret and expand musical styles while always remaining true to themselves.
DUO VOGELLETTNER
Structured improvisation: Georg Vogel and Andreas Lettner stand for energetic improvisation, full of creativity and surprising twists.
PURPLE MUSCLE CAR
Urban jazz meets hip-hop, indie and club culture: a rousing sound experience between the freeway and the Milky Way.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 8:30 p.m.
HALS
Four voices that take a cappella music to new heights – unaffected, intense, and always a little daring.
ALPHA TRIANGULI
A Viennese quartet with a unique musical style, rooted in jazz but focused on creating unforgettable atmosphere.
MEL*E
Three strong, distinctive voices of contemporary jazz: acoustic, electronic, hypnotic – with depth and urgency.
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10 years of Kick Jazz – a success story
Over the past ten years, Kick Jazz Festival has presented more than 60 local acts, thereby contributing significantly to the international visibility of Austrian jazz. This has resulted in numerous festival bookings, as well as Austrian highlights at clubs, and festivals such as Alto Adige Jazz Festival, Tampere Jazz Happening, Münsterland Festival, Zug Jazz Night, Ljubljana Jazz Festival, Trondheim Jazz Festival, Club Unterfahrt Munich, Opus Budapest, Stadtgarten Cologne and Club Dekadenz Brixen.
As a showcase festival, it offers promoters from international festivals and music agencies, as well as journalists, an excellent opportunity to get a taste of the quality of the scene and to engage in direct exchange with the musicians.
What do audiences, musicians, and promoters have in common? A passion for musical diversity and the joy of experimentation – on a stage that has long since become an institution in its own right.
KICK JAZZ 2025 is a joint project of Austrian Music Export and Porgy & Bess. The BMEIA – Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs supports the event as well.
The concerts start promptly at 8:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Porgy & Bess website.
PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ik7wQKjJLDYKeZqxSEIq0?si=mXsmM-LoR5uYykJh_2QTUA
On December 3rd and 4th, 2025, AUSTRIAN MUSIC EXPORT and PORGY & BESS will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their joint festival with an outstanding line-up from the young jazz scene.
What began in 2016 as an initiative to promote Austrian jazz, has developed over the last decade into one of the most important showcase festivals for young talent. Many of the musicians (Sophie Abraham, David Helbock, Mario Rom's Interzone, etc.) who have performed here are now playing on major international stages.
This year, AUSTRIAN MUSIC EXPORT and PORGY & BESS are once again presenting six extraordinary formations that showcase the diversity of contemporary jazz in Austria – from conceptualized free jazz to cross-genre sound experiments.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMM
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 8:30 p.m.
CHEZ FRÍA
This ensemble demolishes genre boundaries. From Johann Sebastian Bach to jazz – with synthesizers, percussion, trumpet and recorder, they re-interpret and expand musical styles while always remaining true to themselves.
DUO VOGELLETTNER
Structured improvisation: Georg Vogel and Andreas Lettner stand for energetic improvisation, full of creativity and surprising twists.
PURPLE MUSCLE CAR
Urban jazz meets hip-hop, indie and club culture: a rousing sound experience between the freeway and the Milky Way.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 8:30 p.m.
HALS
Four voices that take a cappella music to new heights – unaffected, intense, and always a little daring.
ALPHA TRIANGULI
A Viennese quartet with a unique musical style, rooted in jazz but focused on creating unforgettable atmosphere.
MEL*E
Three strong, distinctive voices of contemporary jazz: acoustic, electronic, hypnotic – with depth and urgency.
----
10 years of Kick Jazz – a success story
Over the past ten years, Kick Jazz Festival has presented more than 60 local acts, thereby contributing significantly to the international visibility of Austrian jazz. This has resulted in numerous festival bookings, as well as Austrian highlights at clubs, and festivals such as Alto Adige Jazz Festival, Tampere Jazz Happening, Münsterland Festival, Zug Jazz Night, Ljubljana Jazz Festival, Trondheim Jazz Festival, Club Unterfahrt Munich, Opus Budapest, Stadtgarten Cologne and Club Dekadenz Brixen.
As a showcase festival, it offers promoters from international festivals and music agencies, as well as journalists, an excellent opportunity to get a taste of the quality of the scene and to engage in direct exchange with the musicians.
What do audiences, musicians, and promoters have in common? A passion for musical diversity and the joy of experimentation – on a stage that has long since become an institution in its own right.
KICK JAZZ 2025 is a joint project of Austrian Music Export and Porgy & Bess. The BMEIA – Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs supports the event as well.
The concerts start promptly at 8:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Porgy & Bess website.
PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ik7wQKjJLDYKeZqxSEIq0?si=mXsmM-LoR5uYykJh_2QTUA
