Saxophonist Ben Prechtl receives Jazz Baltica award

Saxophonist Ben Prechtl has been honored with the prestigious IB.SH-JazzAward 2026 at the ongoing Jazz Baltica festival. The award, presented by the Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), celebrates emerging talents in the jazz scene.

Festival artistic director Nils Landgren lauded Prechtl's performance, stating, "Ben Prechtl immediately convinced us with his warm tone, a lot of feeling, and great maturity in his playing." Landgren described the 22-year-old Kiel native as an exceptional musician of his generation, adept at honoring jazz tradition while developing a distinct modern style.

The award ceremony, which includes a 5,000 Euro prize, is scheduled for June 26th during the festival, which runs from June 25th to 28th in Timmendorfer Strand. Prechtl expressed his gratitude, calling the award "a huge honor and great confirmation and motivation that I am on the right path."

Prechtl, who began his musical journey early in life, was inspired by his father, a saxophonist in the Schleswig-Holstein police big band. He honed his skills at the Hamburg University of Music and Theater and founded his own Ben Prechtl Quartet. The IB.SH-JazzAward has been presented annually since 2008 to young jazz artists performing at Jazz Baltica.