Beyond Music’s Global Collaboration Network Turns to Its Fifth Album
Beyond Music says its community now spans 171 countries, with 642 international collaborations and over $1.9 million awarded to artists. Its next album project will draw on that network to bring musicians from different cultural backgrounds into new writing and recording teams.
The nonprofit is welcoming U.S. artists into the international open call for Beyond Music Vol.5. Ibrahim Maalouf will serve as Guest Artist & Curator, choosing twelve collaborations for the release.
Established by the Swiss Beyond Foundation with support from Tina Turner, Beyond Music provides a free platform for professional musicians, singers, songwriters, composers and producers. Members can search for collaborators by instrument, genre and cultural background, then share ideas and recordings online.
The album series has previously connected participating musicians with Larry Klein, Michael League and Bill Laurance. Its fourth volume, Social Change, featured collaborations with Angélique Kidjo, Pheelz and Wiyaala. Beyond the organized album projects, members can also develop independent recordings and creative partnerships through the community.
For the fifth installment, every entry must include trumpet and involve at least four artists from at least two cultural backgrounds. The project accepts vocal and instrumental music across genres.
Photo Courtesy of Mister Ibé
Maalouf’s own career has crossed several of those musical boundaries. Born in Beirut and raised in France, he has worked across jazz, Arabic traditions, classical music and contemporary sounds. As curator, he will assess the submissions for their originality, musicality, emotional impact and collaborative exchange.
One team will receive a funded trip to Miami in March 2027 to re-record its song with Maalouf as the album’s lead single, make a music video and perform at a Montreux Jazz Festival Miami Jam Session. Eleven other collaborations will receive financial awards capped at $6,000 per team and professional finishing for their recordings.
Submissions close November 23 at 9 a.m. CET, or 3 a.m. EST and midnight PST. Artists can explore the Beyond Music community and request membership before forming a team.
