Ferenc Snétberger was awarded Germany’s most prestigious jazz prize in the guitar category at the Bremen awards ceremony gala on the evening of 27 April. The German Jazz Prize (Deutscher Jazzpreis) honours the most outstanding artistic achievements in jazz in thirty-one categories.
The jury of the German Jazz Award selected the best on the basis of their outstanding artistic professionalism and creativity, as well as their achievements in German and international jazz. In addition to Ferenc Snétberger, the three nominees in the guitar category were Finnish guitar virtuoso Kalle Kalima and Swedish jazz musician, guitarist, and composer Johan Leijonhufvud.
Ferenc Snétberger has become known worldwide for his improvisational art and cross-genre playing. In addition to his professional work as a guitarist and composer, since 2011 he has been supporting the musical education of young, particularly talented, Roma, disadvantaged young people through the Snétberger Programme.
Ferenc Snétberger was made an honorary citizen of his hometown in 2002 and of Budapest in 2010. He is a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary and the Commander Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit, and the Federal Cross of Merit. He was awarded the Liszt Ferenc Prize in 2005 and the Kossuth Prize in 2014. Winner of the Prima Prize in 2013 and the MOB Fair Play Award in the arts category in 2014. He was awarded the JTI Trier Jazz Award in 2015 in Germany and in Germany in 2018.
Next, Ferenc Snétberger will perform in the main hall of the Academy of Music in Budapest, with his new musical formation on 19 May.