Dear Beyond Music family,

Some of the most extraordinary musical journeys begin with a single invitation.

Today, we are delighted to invite you to begin the next chapter of Beyond Music.

For Beyond Music Vol.5, internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer and producer Ibrahim Maalouf joins us as Guest Artist & Curator, inviting our global community to create original music across cultures.

Throughout his career, Ibrahim has built bridges between musical traditions, cultures and generations. Blending jazz, classical music, Arabic influences and contemporary sounds, he has become one of today's most distinctive musical voices – driven by curiosity, openness and the belief that music can bring people together.

And that spirit now becomes the inspiration behind Beyond Music Vol.5.

The Creative Inspiration behind Vol.5

Every Beyond Music album begins with a shared creative idea.

For Vol.5, that inspiration is the trumpet.

Few instruments have accompanied humanity as universally throughout history as the trumpet. Across cultures, continents and generations, its voice has marked moments of celebration, ceremony, communication, spirituality, leadership, resilience and hope. Again and again, it has brought people together, transcending languages, traditions and borders through the universal language of music.

For Beyond Music, the trumpet is therefore far more than an instrument. It reflects the very idea at the heart of our community: that one shared inspiration can bring people from different cultures together and give rise to countless unique artistic expressions.

The trumpet serves as a shared creative starting point - not to define the music, but to connect artists through one common inspiration while leaving every artistic possibility open.

Every submission must include the trumpet as an integral part of the artistic concept. Beyond this shared creative element, there are no stylistic boundaries.

Whether your music is vocal or instrumental, rooted in jazz, classical, pop, folk, electronic, hip hop or your own cultural traditions, every genre, every artistic perspective and every creative voice is welcome.

The goal is to discover what becomes possible when artists from different cultures come together around one shared inspiration and create something that none of them could have created alone.

Curious to hear Ibrahim's vision for this creative journey?

Meet Ibrahim Maalouf

Before you begin your creative journey, we invite you to hear directly from Ibrahim.

In this short video, he shares his vision for Beyond Music Vol.5 and explains what he hopes to discover through your collaborations.

▶ Watch Ibrahim's Invitation (Video Link)

Where Winning Becomes a Beginning

Beyond Music Vol.5 is about far more than an open call.

It is about opening doors, building lasting artistic relationships and giving outstanding collaborations the opportunity to reach audiences around the world.

Twelve winning collaborations will become part of the official Beyond Music Vol.5 album.

One Grand Prize-winning collaboration will be invited to the Montreux Jazz Festival Miami in March 2027 to develop, produce and re-record the album’s official lead single with Ibrahim Maalouf and additional guest artists. The experience includes appearing in the official music video, full festival access and the opportunity to perform at the legendary Montreux Jazz Miami Jam Session.

The other eleven winning collaborations will receive prize money, professional mastering and, where required, mixing, worldwide release on the official Beyond Music Vol.5 album, and participation in the revenues generated by the album and its commercial exploitation. Your music will also be promoted through an international marketing campaign designed to reach audiences around the world.

But perhaps the greatest reward lies elsewhere.

It lies in discovering new creative partners, building friendships across cultures and creating music that none of us could have created alone.

Now It's Your Turn

We encourage you to step beyond familiar collaborations. ​Reach out to artists you have never worked with before. ​And if you know outstanding trumpet players who are not yet part of Beyond Music, we warmly encourage you to invite them to join our community. 

Explore new musical traditions. Challenge yourselves. Surprise one another. Because this is where the most extraordinary collaborations begin.

The submission phase opens on 29 August 2026 and closes on 23 November 2026, 09:00 CET.

We cannot wait to hear what you will create.

Ready to Begin?

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With warm regards,
Konstanze & Regula