I am very pleased that Carla Kaltenböck, a vocal student at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University, has won the Ö1 Jazz Scholarship 2026. This award is one of the most important recognitions for emerging jazz talent in Austria and represents a significant step for young artists developing their voice in jazz performance, original composition, and professional music studies in Vienna.
Born in 2002, Carla Kaltenböck is currently studying jazz vocals at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University in Vienna. The scholarship includes a two-year course of study at JAM as well as a CD production with Quinton Records, the Vienna-based label of producer Andreas Rathammer. In this way, the Ö1 Jazz Scholarship brings together higher music education, artistic growth, and professional music production in a particularly meaningful way.
What makes Carla’s achievement especially remarkable is the persistence behind it. After reaching the final round twice before, she won the scholarship on her third attempt. In the final audition in Studio 2 of Vienna’s RadioKulturhaus, she convinced the jury with her own compositions and with the finely balanced ensemble Carla’s Cafe. Her performance reflected exactly the qualities that are essential in contemporary jazz: artistic clarity, individuality, musical maturity, and the ability to communicate a personal voice with conviction.
I was very glad to present Carla Kaltenböck with the certificate on Ö1 Jazz Day, 30 April 2026, at Treibhaus Innsbruck during the evening Ö1 live concert broadcast. Moments like this are encouraging because they show how much can grow when talent, dedication, and the right artistic environment come together. For me, this is also a strong sign of the vitality of the younger Austrian jazz scene and of the importance of sustained support for the next generation of musicians.
More about Carla Kaltenböck’s award and the full story can be found on the JAM MUSIC LAB website.