The LOFT recording project:
a competition initiated by 2ndFLOOR e.V.
Prizes: for the best 3 applications a concert date at the LOFT including live recording plus an additional studio day.
Over the past 36 years, LOFT in Cologne has developed into one of the most prominent venues for jazz and improvised music in Germany. In addition to its excellent acoustics, special atmosphere, and, of course, two outstanding concert grand pianos (a Steinway D and a Yamaha C3), its success is largely due to its recording studio, which is renowned far beyond the city limits. More than 1,000 recordings from the LOFT have been released on CD or digitally to date, and the productions have received numerous awards, including the ECHO Jazz Award and the German Record Critics’ Quarterly Prize.
Seven years ago, the recording project was launched at the initiative of LOFT operator and 2ndFLOOR e.V. managing director Dr. Urs Benedikt Müller. Since then, numerous high-quality recordings have been made as part of the project, and many of them have been released.
The space and studio (including recording equipment) were provided free of charge by the association, with additional funding coming from the North Rhine-Westphalia venue program price, which LOFT has received every year since it was established 17 years ago, among other things to promote regionally active bands and young artists.
In 2025, the recording project changed slightly compared to previous years: the prizes were now three concert dates with live recordings, plus an additional studio day for pre- and post-production respectively.
This format will be retained in 2026, with the call for entries for the 2026 recording project beginning on February 1st 2026.
The offer is primarily aimed at jazz musicians from North Rhine-Westphalia and jazz students at universities in Cologne, Essen, and Mainz. Bands with an average age of 25 or younger, as well as soloists who are not older than 25, are eligible to apply. Applications with two pianists are possible.
The application deadline is Friday, March 27th 2026.
Download call for entries here (German only)
Required application documents:
• short curriculum vitae of the applicant
• two recordings (self-made documentary recordings – e.g. with Zoom or similar – are also welcome)
• short concept (max. 1,000 characters)
• Overview of the line-up including the ages of the musicians involved
please send via email to: info@loftkoeln.de – Subject: recording project 2026
A jury consisting of the chairmen of 2ndFLOOR e.V., Prof. Shannon Barnett and Prof. Sebastian Sternal, as well as the sound engineers Christian Heck and Stefan Deistler, will decide on the award.