A worldwide movement lands at the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival
AI.LOVE.JAZZ — a global AI jazz competition and live showcase — is launching the planet’s first-ever AI jazz festival in Montreux, Switzerland. Scheduled for July 9–10, 2026, right alongside the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, the initiative blends a two-month online international contest with a live event aimed at highlighting top-tier AI-assisted music and sparking conversation among artists, AI developers, tech firms, regulators, and the wider music world.
Why Now — From Uncharted Territory to Common Ground
AI-generated music is already woven into everyday life. The moment has arrived to put it center stage — stepping beyond uncharted territory and inviting the entire industry to join forces in building a safe, constructive space where the creativity of millions can flourish.
“The Wild West era of AI music is winding down. We’re transitioning into what I call the white zone — where artistic expression, technological innovation, fair competition, and regulatory compliance can all thrive together. AI isn’t here to replace musicians. It’s simply a new tool in the hands of talented people — empowering millions to explore their creativity and experiment freely. Every remarkable AI-assisted track starts with a human being who has taste, vision, emotion, and a genuine message to convey. Our goal is to help the world see AI music through that lens.”
— Alex Chapsky, Co-Founder of AI.LOVE.JAZZ
AI.LOVE.JAZZ was created to give this cultural shift a prominent platform and to foster open, honest exchanges among musicians, AI platforms, tech companies, regulators, and the broader music industry about the road ahead. The AI-Jazz contest welcomed entries spanning jazz, blues, funk, soul, and melodic rock — all produced with the aid of generative AI technology.
For the very first time, AI-assisted compositions will be performed on stage by a live jazz ensemble — debuting on Day 1 during the Semi-Finals.
AI Jazz at the Heart of Montreux — Casino Barrière, Riviera Café
The event unfolds over two evenings at the Riviera Café inside Casino Barrière Montreux — a venue steeped in musical heritage, forever linked to Queen, Deep Purple, and countless other legendary acts — and one of the most celebrated performance spaces on the planet. Both nights of AI.LOVE.JAZZ take place within the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the globe’s premier music destinations.
• July 9 — Semi-Finals: VIP networking aperitif and panel discussions. Doors open at 17:00, show begins at 20:00.
• July 10 — Grand Finale Gala: awards ceremony, live performances of the year’s finest AI jazz compositions, and a closing set from Latin jazz group PATAX featuring percussionist Jorge Pérez. Doors open at 17:00, show begins at 20:00.
A Global Jury Panel
AI.LOVE.JAZZ 2026 is judged by an internationally renowned panel spanning music production, creative technology, and artificial intelligence:
• Óscar Gómez (Spain): Five-time Grammy-winning producer and songwriter who has collaborated with artists such as Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Miguel Bosé, Rocío Jurado, and Roberto Carlos.
• MoneOnDaBeat (USA): Producer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur recognized for projects that sit at the crossroads of music, culture, and technology.
• Jieun Park (South Korea): CEO of Pulse9 and mastermind behind the Deep Real initiative, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of next-generation generative AI experiences.
Sponsors and Partners
AI.LOVE.JAZZ receives backing from the Crypto Valley Association, Switzerland’s foremost blockchain ecosystem, and support from Innovaud, the innovation and investment promotion agency of the Canton of Vaud.
YouHodler, a regulated Swiss and EU-based Web3 platform, steps in as the Official Fintech Partner and Title Sponsor of AI.LOVE.JAZZ 2026.
“Music has always ranked among humanity’s most powerful forms of expression. Across the ages, every major technological leap has reshaped how music is produced, shared, and experienced. Right now, artificial intelligence is driving another such transformation. We see a parallel in finance, where blockchain technology and digital assets are redefining how people relate to money. Adoption comes when technology becomes practical, accessible, and trusted. AI.LOVE.JAZZ represents exactly that inflection point for AI-driven creativity, and we’re proud to champion this movement as its Official Fintech Partner.”
— Ilya Volkov, CEO of YouHodler and Co-Founder of AI.LOVE.JAZZ
Key Facts About AI Music
• 60,000 — AI-generated tracks uploaded to streaming platforms daily.
• $2.6–6.6B — Estimated worth of the AI music market in 2025.
• 65%–85% — Of music producers who say they integrate AI tools into their creative process.
• AI.LOVE.JAZZ Radio has been streaming AI-assisted jazz, blues, soul, funk, and melodic rock around the clock since its launch in March 2026 — an ever-expanding, living library of what AI-assisted music sounds like today.
• Every piece on the radio and in the contest serves as a testament that behind every successful AI-generated track stands human creativity, artistic vision, and countless hours of dedication. AI can compose, but it does not feel, choose, or impart meaning.
• The contest has already attracted entries from creators in dozens of countries — evidence that AI is lowering the barriers to music creation without diminishing its emotional depth.
The People Driving the Movement
• Ilya Volkov — Co-Founder of AI.LOVE.JAZZ and CEO of YouHodler. A trailblazer in fintech and an AI music creator himself, driven by the belief that AI-generated music can be genuinely beautiful.
• Alex Chapsky — Co-Founder of AI.LOVE.JAZZ. AI artist, screenwriter, and marketing and brand strategist, shaping the project’s identity, vision, and cultural direction.
• Óscar Gómez, MoneOnDaBeat, and Jieun Park — the international judges bringing decades of Grammy-honored production experience and deep mastery of AI-driven creativity to the panel.
About AI.Love.Jazz and AI.Love.Jazz Radio
AI.LOVE.JAZZ is a global online AI music competition and a two-day live event held in Montreux, Switzerland, designed to elevate AI-assisted music into a genuine cultural spotlight alongside one of the world’s most celebrated music destinations.
Founded by AI music enthusiasts, the initiative is backed by the Crypto Valley Association and supported by Innovaud, uniting artists, tech companies, investors, and industry leaders around a shared commitment to responsible innovation in music. Since its launch in March 2026, AI.LOVE.JAZZ Radio has broadcast AI-assisted jazz, blues, soul, funk, and melodic rock music nonstop, presenting a growing catalog of AI-enhanced musical works. For more details, visit ailovejazz.com and ailovejazz.com/radio.
About YouHodler
YouHodler is a regulated Swiss- and EU-based Web3 platform delivering cutting-edge fintech solutions that seamlessly bridge traditional and cryptocurrency financial services with simplicity, efficiency, and transparency. Designed to be approachable for everyday users, the full-service platform is also sophisticated enough to support strategic cryptocurrency trading. For more information, visit youhodler.com.
Montreux, Switzerland — June 2026
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