SOUNZ Jazz Recording Project 2026/27: NZ$2,000 for Original New Zealand Jazz, Apply by 23 October
Only days remain for an original-jazz recording opportunity
SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music has opened its 2026–27 Jazz Recording Project, an annual initiative for New Zealand jazz composers and ensembles. Proposals must arrive by Friday 23 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. New Zealand local time. The selected composer will work with a small ensemble to create a high-quality audio and video record of approximately 30 minutes of original jazz that has not previously received a professional recording. The sessions will take place between January and March 2027.
This is a targeted scheme for New Zealand jazz, not an international touring bursary or a competition to win a record contract merely by submitting an already released album. SOUNZ invites composers to identify a suitable small group of musicians, a selection of pieces, and a location where the recording can realistically be made.
NZ$2,000 pays towards an ensemble recording, not every composer's personal prize
The advertised support is NZ$2,000 to enable the selected composer's ensemble to undertake the 30-minute recording. The sum is associated with delivering the recording, not a cash award paid to every applicant. SOUNZ offers a choice of Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch for this cycle; the timing must be agreed by SOUNZ, the composer and the ensemble.
If a participant must travel to one of those centres, the organizer warns that additional travel or accommodation costs may need to be covered by the applicant. A group should budget musicians' time, preparation and its own possible travel carefully. The public information does not promise an additional NZ$2,000 production allowance on top of this amount, unlimited studio hours or reimbursement for unrelated touring.
Eligibility, scores and example recordings
The project is open to SOUNZ composers working with New Zealand jazz ensembles. Joining the SOUNZ composer community is free and the organisation supplies a registration process on its own website, so membership should not be confused with a paid audition. The proposal must be for original works that have not previously been recorded professionally; existing professional recordings should not be re-submitted as new material.
The official application checklist asks for the composer's CV or biography, past audio examples, the intended list of works, sample scores or charts and any relevant informal recordings, a description of the ensemble, recent ensemble recordings, the preferred recording city, and known unavailable dates during January–March 2027. Collect these before opening the form so no material is missing at the closing time.
Video publication and rights need advance agreement
After editing, SOUNZ plans to make the recording available for streaming on the SOUNZ website and its SOUNZ Films YouTube channel, with embedding also possible on the composer's own website. An applicant should therefore ensure that every ensemble member knows the audio/video recording will be distributed online, and clarify performance, synchronization, composition and neighbouring rights in the final agreement.
The project can support contemporary jazz, improvisation and original ensemble music, but the focus is on documenting new New Zealand composition rather than providing a venue to perform covers. A group whose work draws on licensed samples, guest performers or outside collaborators should confirm permission and the budget implications before applying.
About the organizer: an established New Zealand music archive
SOUNZ is Aotearoa New Zealand's dedicated organisation for promoting and documenting New Zealand music. Its jazz-recordings project has operated since 2020, and the official archive names past supported composers such as Tom Botting, Bryn van Vliet, Michael Costeloe, Thomas Friggens and Blair Latham. This publicly documented history, published recordings and a detailed official application form allow musicians to verify the opportunity.
The organizer's published list of earlier residents and their videos is useful inspiration, but does not guarantee any new composer a place. Shortlisted projects will be assessed by the SOUNZ team and applicants are expected to learn the outcome in November 2026.
Direct official call, rather than a paid listing
Original SOUNZ announcement: https://sounz.org.nz/news/jazz-recording-26-27 . Funding programme and past recordings: https://sounz.org.nz/sounz-jazz-recordings-project . Deadline 23 October 2026 at 5 p.m. New Zealand time. Source verified 19 October 2026. Applicants should submit through the official SOUNZ form linked on the announcement and retain a receipt or confirmation.