The world competition for jazz photographers JAZZ WORLD PHOTO had its beginnings in 2013, being organized by photographer Patrick Marek and his friends – promoter Tomáš Katschner and photographer Ivan Prokop. In its first year, the competition was attended by many photographers from all over the world – 134 participants from 29 countries. International jury picked 3 winners, who accepted their prizes in person – 1st prize was awarded to Didier Jallais (France), 2nd prize to Rainer Rygalyk (Austria) and 3rd prize went to Miroslav Novotný (Czech Republic). Thirty selected photographs became the body of well received traveling exhibition. During the following year, this exhibition was shown to great applause at many festivals and in art galleries throughout Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium. In the second year, JAZZ WORLD PHOTO participation increased by 40% – to 187 photographers from 27 countries. The increase was unexpected – in the second year, the rules had changed, and the photographers were allowed to send in only pictures taken in that year. And the final result was surprising even for the independent Jury that evaluated the photographs anonymously. All three principal prizes went to authors from one country – Italy. The Jury awarded the 1st place to Andrea Rotili, 2nd place to Andrea Palmucci, and 3rd place to Fabio Orlando. The collection of 30 best photographs again forms traveling exhibition that is in high demand. Every year, the exhibition is accompanied by full printed catalogue. Jazz World Photo is a not-for-profit project aiming to promote jazz and jazz photography in the context of related genres like blues, funk, world music etc. Every year, the winners and jurors meet during the main concert at the international festival Jazzinec in Trutnov, Czech Republic. Both years of the competition were included in the events of the International Jazz Day sponsored by UNESCO. Last year’s prizes were created by well known Czech art designer Jan Činčera, who is already working on the prizes for the next year.