Swissdisc

Romantic jazz from Francesca Keller
With her first solo album entitled Beyond, Francesca Keller has released an excellent series of jazz ballads. Some of them were composed by the singer herself in association with the saxophonist Araxi Karnusian, and others such as «Cry me a river» by Arthur Hamilton, and «Body and soul» by John Waldo Green are drawn from the standard jazz repertoire. >>>

20.10.2008

A good time with the fm trio
In their new album, entitled «Moments», the fm trio presents some classically inspired jazz. For a start, the instruments themselves form the traditional trio composed of piano, bass and drums, the latter two playing more often than not in the background where they highlight all the fluidity and subtle nuances of the piano. >>>

07.10.2008

A Rodeo of jazz and rock
Monster Rodeo, the new album by Cowboys from Hell, fully deserves its title. The tone is set right from the start, with an effervescent hard rock number. Some of the expressions betray its origins: not American but Swiss German! After this first, not entirely indispensable track, the recording really takes off, surprising us with its undeniable originality. >>>

21.03.2008

In Transit: «Moving Stills»
The members of the In Transit Quartet are Jürg Solothurnmann (saxophone), Michael Jefry Stevens from New York (piano), Daniel Studer (bass) and Dieter Ulrich (drums). Their new recording, entitled «Moving Stills», is the fruit of a new maturity and a deeper insight concerning their music. >>>

21.03.2008

In celebration of his seventieth birthday Pierre Favre and his ensemble have produced a superb album.
As a percussionist Pierre Favre has undeniably left his mark on the Swiss and international music scene, and in this jubilee year, numerous music lovers, and particularly those who appreciate percussion music, are taking the opportunity of paying him a well-deserved tribute. >>>

08.11.2007

A jazz medley by Félix Stüssi
There are times when it’s really swinging, and others when you’re overwhelmed by the sweet melancholy that jazz music can also produce. With the twelve numbers that he has chosen for his first album entitled «Give me five», the pianist Félix Stüssi provides a palette of varied atmospheres ranging from the thriller to the cartoon in the best sense of the term, with here and there a touch of humour, such as in the last bars of «Zoé félicia». >>>

08.11.2007

Zeno Gabaglio explores the cello
The slow, meditative numbers composed by Ticino-born Zeno Gabaglio plunge the listener into a deliberately mysterious atmosphere. And even more so because acoustic and electronic cello musical sounds intermingle, combined with other synthetic sounds playing in a perpetual loop. >>>

05.08.2007

Japrazz, a successful mix of hip hop and jazz
First you hear footsteps, a key turning in the lock, and faraway jazz playing in another room, then suddenly the music is here in the foreground, and turns into rap. With this excellent acoustic equivalent of a forward tracking shot, the Japrazz ensemble gets us in its grip from the start, and doesn’t let go for the whole of its first perfectly accomplished mini-album. >>>

04.08.2007

Classical jazz from Laut & Luise
The album begins with a smooth jazz number, strongly influenced by classical music, which unfolds its harmonies based on a saxophone and piano duet. This first album by Laut & Luise, entitled «Open that door» appears promising from the outset, alternating calm, almost melancholy passages with more lively interludes, such as in «Vaterland 3», and a brief vocal jazz number towards the end. >>>

04.08.2007

Peter Zihlmann (piano) and Franz Hellmüller (guitar): «Twilight Conversations»
No bass, no drums – only the piano and a guitar. This is the seldom heard combination of instruments presented by the duo «Twilight Conversations», alias Peter Zihlmann (piano) and Franz Hellmüller (guitar), on this CD. The two musicians met at the music college in Lucerne from which they graduated in 2003. >>>

14.04.2007

Quartier lointain mixes jazz, rap and rock
With «Can’t stop me now», the very first track of the new album by the Franco-Swiss trio Quartier Lointain, the tone is already set. Guest player David Granite mingles his phrased rap with the groovy tones of contemporary jazz in this original recording entitled «Right next door», and from then on we are treated to a blend of jazz, progressive rock and rap-inspired vocal flow. >>>

20.03.2007

Fredi Luescher: «Rubato», a Lovely Jazz Solo for the Piano
This is the last album recorded by Fredi Luescher, a jazz pianist well-known on the Swiss scene, who died last year. After recording a whole series of albums with other musicians, he decided to do «Rubato» as a solo. The album is a mix of jazz evergreens, a piece by Thelonius Monk and his own original compositions, such as the opening track, «Speroid I». >>>

07.02.2007

Matthias Siegrist: Melodic and inventive jazz
Extremely melodic jazz, combining a predominant touch of bebop with various influences such as pop and folk music. After having founded his own jazz trio, guitarist Matthias Siegrist from Zurich has now brought out his first album, under the title «Restless». >>>

10.01.2007

An original musical cocktail from the Newsambajazz
All in all, there are a lot of original jazz numbers featured in this eponymous album by the Newsambajazz. After the first frenzied piece, the calm flowing rhythms of «Lembrança» and its leitmotivs tend to stick in your mind. Then a series of rapid improvisations give way again to a more soothing atmosphere reminiscent of a sunset by the sea shore. >>>

10.01.2007

Yele, halfway between jazz and African percussion music
The album starts off with a jazz number which sounds sometimes almost like classical music, with the piano playing an important part. Then the djembe lends its voice to the melody, discretely at first, then with an ever-growing intensity. This first number of «Yele» summarizes perfectly the crossbred music of the Malcolm Braff Trio. >>>

18.12.2006

Chasper Wanner Quartet: smooth jazz
After the first couple of bars, the tone is set: with the Chasper Wanner Quartet, we’ve got a jazz which is supple and smooth. During his musical career, Zurich-born Chasper Wanner has been involved in numerous projects, varying from pop music to jazz, and from electronic to classical music. >>>

20.07.2006

Renata Friederich: Jazz portraits of women
A piano, a double bass and the sensuous voice of the singer Renata Friederich: if the jazz trio Close Up is a classical formation from an instrumental point of view, its new album «Lonely Woman» is absolutely original. In a series of sensitive ballads, we are led to discover various portraits of women such as the «Girl with a Pearl Earring» by Vermeer, a self portrait by Frida Kahlo, or «Danae» by Klimt. >>>

20.07.2006

Fabulous Fable Trio: «Soundscapes»
«Soundscapes», the title of the Fabulous Fable Trio’s new album, is the band’s admission of its love of the silver screen. So it is hardly surprising that they chose to celebrate the CD launch on the stage of the Qbus in Uster, in the form of a film night. >>>

04.07.2006

Kaeppeli/Luescher/Studer: «Nomis»
After pianist and composer Urs Voerkel died in 1999, Fredi Lüscher took his place at the piano in the trio. «Nomis», the release of the newly formed trio, is a tribute to Voerkel. The CD opens with the eponymous track which was inspired by Voerkel’s own compositions. >>>

04.07.2006

The Zurich Jazz Orchestra mixes jazz and folk.
Here we are, listening to the first few beats of «Sur nos monts quand le soleil…», the Swiss national anthem, when suddenly jazz takes over completely. With its new recording «Beyond Swiss tradition», the Zurich Jazz orchestra has mixed Swiss folk music and jazz. >>>

12.03.2006

Eliane Cueni Trio: «canavaa»
The opener «canavaa» already makes you prick up your ears: a choir-like melody with short simple chords on the piano; later, the bass joins in and then, nearly unnoticed, the brush on the drums – Eliane Cueni and her trio get off to a magical start on the new CD with bass player Reimund Gerstener and drummer Lukas Bitterlin. >>>

26.01.2006

Three releases from Altrisuoni
We have received so many new recordings recently that it will be very difficult for us to describe them all in detail. Let us mention, however, three recordings by the excellent label Altrisuoni. >>>

16.01.2006

«Jazz in der Schweiz» by Bruno Spoerri
For many years, Bruno Spoerri has been a member of both the SUISA council, and the council of the SUISA Foundation for Music. He has defended every musical domain with great interest, but his first love has always been jazz.
Bruno Spoerri’s book «Jazz in der Schweiz – Geschichte und Geschichten» has just been published by Chronos Editions. >>>

16.01.2006

Swiss Music Club at MIDEM 2006
For the 7th time, the SUISA Foundation for Music is organising the popular SWISS MUSIC CLUB. The Foundation is seeking to give talented young musicians with international potential a platform before a professional audience at the world’s largest music fair. This platform is often crucial for the future of these promising young artists. >>>

21.11.2005

Irène Schweizer: a lovely discographic portrait
The booklet which comes with this CD portrait rightly reminds us that Irene Schweizer has already produced more than 20 records with Intakt Records. That is quite remarkable and demonstrates the creative talent of this jazz musician who no longer needs any introduction. >>>

01.11.2005

Peter Wildbolz Unit: «Chill the Jazz»
Peter Wildbolz, the Bernese saxophone player, can look back on a long, diverse musical career which started in the early 60s when he opened his jazz club, the “Blue Note”, in Bern. He later founded the FreeJazzTrio, then the New Jazz Quartet; he was also a member of the jazz-rock band Off & Out. >>>

27.09.2005

JFZ (Julien-François Zbinden) Live Octojazzy
Julien-François Zbinden presents another facette of his talent on JFZ LIVE Octojazzy, his latest album that has just been released. As the album so well shows, Julien-François Zbinden is also an excellent pianist. >>>

27.09.2005

Stefano Saccon feat. Flavio Boltro: «Notte»
Despite the title of its album, this quintet definitely has nothing of the nightshade about it. For «Notte» – an album with ten wonderful pieces written by Genevan saxophone player Stefano Saccon, Saccon has surrounded himself with prominent representatives of Switzerland’s jazz scene. >>>

30.06.2005

Edition Spéciale: «Faidate»
Everything on the album «Faidate» (Do-it-yourself) truly is self-made. The cheeky group named Edition Spéciale, directed by trumpet player Alain della Maestra – a musician who has swum in all international waters – has now released its first album. >>>

30.06.2005

BraffOesterRohrer: «Maximal Music»
Since it was founded in 2001, the trio with pianist Malcolm Braff, bass player Bänz Oester and drummer Samuel Rohrer has grown into a harmonious, closely-knit unit. Their latest album «Maximal Music» is a new demonstration of their independent, communal and authentic musical language. >>>

07.06.2005

Jazz in Zurich
This double CD “Jazz in Zurich” is a small gem. And all the more precious for being a limited edition: only one thousand copies of this remarkable documentary were printed. >>>

31.01.2005

The Enchanted Flute revisited by jazz musicians George Gruntz and Peter O. Chotjewitz
The SUISA Foundation for Music, and the fund for orchestra materials which it generously supports, have provided substantial financing for the production – in English – of a jazz version of The Enchanted Flute. The première was held in the beautiful church in Saanen, during the 2003 Festival of Gstaad. >>>

29.11.2004

Eddy Orini: « DIVINE MOUSTACHE »
Jazz label tcb has released the first musical tribute to the Salvador Dalí just in time for the hundredth anniversary of the great Spanish surrealist’s birth. With “The Cape Creux Orchestra” and a few jazz musicians, Eddy Orini has recorded a musical suite for symphonic orchestra, chorus and keyboard, synthesizer, percussion, tubular chimes and solo parts under a telltale title: the suite is no less than a deep bow to the “divine moustache”. >>>

22.10.2004

Moritz Peter Quartet: « Café Luz »
The Moritz Peter Quartet is already five years old. « Café Luz » is the second album of the Swiss saxophone and clarinet player who has made Paris his home. The musicians in the band are the same as on the first album. >>>

22.10.2004

Christoph Grab: « Personal »
For saxophonist Christoph Grab (1967) it seems to be the right time to finally record a album under his own name. This highly talented and creative musician in relentless search of progress and development, has been heard in various contexts, and has for years offered his skills to a host of other projects and groups. „Personal“ is the title of his album and very personal musical stories Grab is capable to convey. >>>

08.10.2004

Martin Dahanukar: « Apocalypse Now »
« Apocalypse Now » mirrors a burning jungle full of exciting colours. A sombre soundtrack for this planet. And off-comment to the CNN-Non-Stop-Visual-Loop. Fire and shadows setting up a dancing pattern on a megapolitain scenery. >>>

20.08.2004

Andy Scherrer Quartet: «Remember Mal Waldron»
It is often said of Mal Waldron that he was a minimalist among jazz pianists. Not only was he an unorthodox pianist with a raw and percussive rather than round and rolling style, he was also an original composer. One of his best known titles is «Fire Waltz» which is on the tribute CD recorded by Andy Scherer and his Quartet. >>>

23.06.2004

Cholet – Känzig – Papaux Trio: «Autumn Circle»
The French pianist Jean-Christophe Cholet who has already been heard on several Altrisuoni releases together with Claudio Pontiggia, makes a debut with his own new trio. With this new role he combines the strong expressiveness and refined ideas, together with the accurate and subtle rhythmical tones of Heiri Känzig and Marcel Papaux. >>>

18.05.2004

Brennan - Doran – Héral : «Triangulation»
It's been almost ten years since the release of the first recording by Irish-born Swiss-residing John Wolf Brennan and Christy Doran which explored their Irish roots and many varied paths they have taken since. On this recording they are joined by the French percussion shaman Patrick Héral. >>>

01.04.2004

Piano Seven & Brass 5tet - LIVE
Imagine the sound of a single piano with 616 keys, an incredible wind quintet and a devilishly nimble percussionist: that is what the music of this legendary, slightly mad group of pianists sounds like in concert. >>>

26.03.2004

Format à trois: «3ème jour»
Poets taking an unwanted swim? Or three musicians diving into a pool of emotion? Both conclusions are possible from the artwork on the CD cover. But one thing is certain: Format à trois has class. >>>

26.03.2004

Colin Vallon Trio: «Les Ombres»
The young pianist Colin Vallon has released his first album «Les Ombres» with Unit Records. Colin Vallon is finishing his studies at the Jazz School in Bern. At only 22, he already has a disconcerting artistic maturity and astonishing technique, a combination affording him a vast choice of musical expressions. >>>

26.03.2004

Christoph Merki: «Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea»
Christoph Merki’s second album is a treasure trove. On «Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea», the sax-player from Aargau proves that even today, jazz can be modern and fascinating. Inspired by Jules Verne’s eponymous adventure novel, Merki and his six excellent co-musicians take the listener on a wonderful voyage through foreign lands. >>>

24.02.2004

Swiss Jazz Club
Switzerland is internationally reputed for its remarkable, world-class Jazz culture. The Swiss Jazz Club first saw the day at the MIDEM in 2000 where it proved a sweeping success. Like every year since, it will be continued at MIDEM 2004.
>>>

01.01.2004

«Beat & Lip» - Béatrice Graf & Philippe Ehinger
With Beat & Lip, the drums and bass clarinet take front stage. This unusual instrumentation enables drummer Beatrice Graf and clarinettist Philippe Ehinger to explore new sound combinations. The duo condenses groovy sounds with complex rhythmic samples, without ever sacrificing the melodious aspect. >>>

12.12.2003

Swiss Jazz School Orchestra: «Shades of time»
How does it sound when teachers and students play music together? It won’t take you long to answer once you hear the Swiss Jazz School (SJS) Orchestra’s second CD release: fresh, hot and free. >>>

26.11.2003

Maurice Magnoni, Nicolas Sordet, Fredy Studer: «Facing the Wall»
This is the music he always dreamt of playing, says Maurice Magnoni in the liner notes of his CD «Facing the Wall». With drummer Fredy Studer and computer musician Nicolas Sordet, the sax- and clarinet player Magnoni has now realised his dream. >>>

26.11.2003

Pierre Audetat: «Iota Horologi» & «Ghost note»
Lausanne musician Pierre Audetat has already worked with big names like Nils Peter Molvaer, Sens Unik, Erik Truffaz, Silent Majority or Trilok Gurtu. Be it as pianist, arranger or composer, Audetat – a migrant between the worlds of jazz, hip hop and electronic music – clearly feels most comfortable in the latter, the world of electronic music. >>>

26.11.2003

Claudia Bettinaglio: «Sometimes»
«Sometimes», Claudia Bettinaglio’s second album, is a success. The songs, mainly her own composition, swing between jazz, blues and rhythm‘n’blues.
>>>

28.10.2003

Marianne Racine Quartet: «Sångbook»
With «Sångbook», the Zurich-based singer Marianne Racine has compiled a choice selection of Swedish folk songs, favourite American songbook classics and jazz songs. Not that Swedish folk songs have any direct connection with jazz, but such is their melodious quality that they can be beautifully built into soft jazz arrangements – as Marianne Racine impressively demonstrates on this album. >>>

23.09.2003

Daniel Woodtli Trio: «Someday in April»
The young Swiss trio that has congregated around Daniel Woodtli, with guitarist Nick Perrin and Lorenz Beyeler at the double bass, offers us its debut album, featuring nine original compositions – written in equal part by Perrin and Woodtli – and two jazz standards. A first album marked by the tranquil lyricism that characterises chamber music. >>>

28.08.2003

Braff, Oester, Rohrer: «the tide is in»
Listening to this group of three equally important and responsible musicians reveals the perfect understanding of the term «interaction» as the most significant element in their performances. >>>

26.08.2003

«heartdrops» - Vince Benedetti meets Diana Krall
n 1988, the Winterthur-based pianist, trombonist, composer and arranger from New Jersey worked part-time as a taxi driver in Zurich. That’s how he met Diana Krall. At the time, she was performing solo at the bar of the Hotel Central in Zurich. >>>

28.04.2003

Paul Camilleri: «In The Middle Of The Night»
Yet another step forward! With his second album, Winterthur neo-modern bluesman Paul Camilleri has again made great progress. Progress not just as a guitarist and songwriter, but as a singer. >>>

01.04.2003

Stefano Saccon feat. Enrico Rava: «Underscore»
The word «Underscore» has been adopted in cyberspace in a variety of languages, indicating the presence of a space, visually punctuating a cesura, while at the same time reminding us what in fact lies under a score of music. >>>

26.03.2003

b.connected: «perfect blend»
«Perfect blend». This, the fifth CD by the Swiss jazz-funk group, really is a perfect blend. In one sense in the styles, and in another in terms of the production. No less than David Richards, who has produced albums by Queen, David Bowie and Chris Rea, is responsible for the excellent sound quality. >>>

04.02.2003

Tomas Sauter Tranceactivity: «Flora»
The band «Tomas Sauter Tranceactivity» set out for a new path in the field of live Drum’n‘Bass and Ambient Music. This wild bunch belongs without doubt to the most innovative bands playing these styles. >>>

31.10.2002

Philippe Mall Quartet: «Nature Boy»
It goes without saying that Coltrane was one of the most significant Tenor Jazz saxophonist since his appearance on the scene in the early 50‚s, to inspire generations of young motivated musicians who followed. Bandleader Philippe Mall would like to specify that it is less the sound of Coltrane that he is exploring, but rather the power and spirituality of his fantastic quartet of the early 60‚s. >>>

15.08.2002

Pierre Favre, Michel Godard: «Duo»
Pierre Favre: The percussionist, the sculptor of sonic universes. Michel Godard: the lyric and eclectic tuba virtuoso. A duo that has been around for the past 15 years and now for the first time their repertoire is being recorded for Altrisuoni. >>>

16.07.2002

Astrea Ensemble: «From Tango To Jazz»
«From tango to jazz» is a musical journey from one style to another which seem to be quite different. Each member of the ensemble contributes in his very personal way to this project, incorporating his own musical experiences from jazz to classical music, from «tango viejo» to popular song writers. >>>

15.05.2002

Michel Wintsch Trio: «Open Songs»
The trio of Michel Wintsch, Bänz Oester and Gerry Hemingway began touring and recording together in 1998. However Wintsch and Hemingway first worked together in 1995 when they recorded together cellist Martin Shuetz for Unit Records. >>>

16.04.2002

Stewy von Wattenwyl Trio: «Cookin‘ live»
After having released not less than four productions in the nineties, who got only best critiques, the Stewy von Wattenwyl Trio presents for the first time a pure Live-CD with a choice of the most beautiful standards of the «Great American Songbook». >>>

01.03.2002

Format A Trois - Jazz on the blues-side
At first glance, Format A Trois looks like a conventional jazz group, with a piano, drums and a bass. Until you consider the personal interpretations of its three musicians, Alexis Gfeller, Patrick Dufresne and Fabien Sevilla, who recently released their second album called simply «Deuxième» (Second). >>>

05.02.2002

Steamboat Switzerland: «Budapest» & «ac/dB [Hayden]»
Over two years after Steamboat Switzerland hit the (post) improv and (post) noise scene with their CD «Live» (Unit Records), only now do the long awaited follow up CDs appear. If the debut CD presented a patchwork of improvisation, own and foreign compositions and rock pieces, «Budapest» and «ac/dB [Hayden]» are compact, integral and equally imploring monolithic works. >>>

02.05.2001

The Swiss at the MIDEM 2001
The Swiss music scene will again be well represented at the MIDEM 2001. Renowned producers will present their new releases at a common stand organised by SUISA, the SUISA Foundation and IFPI under the slogan «Switzerland's Sound of Music». >>>

01.12.2000

The Louis Hayes Quintet
For more than forty years, drummer Louis Hayes has been a catalyst for energetic, unrelenting swing in his self- led bands, as well as in those whose respective leaders reads like an encyclopedia of straight ahead post-bop modern jazz. >>>

01.12.2000

The Andy Harder Trio
Swiss pianist Andy Harder and his trio with American bassist Reggie Johnson and Swiss drummer Elmar Frey is among the finest in Switzerland and has performed at many international festivals. >>>

01.12.2000

The Vienna Art Orchestra
The Vienna Art Orchestra - one of Europe's leading international big band/ jazz ensemble - was created in 1977 by Mathias Ruegg. Since its international breakthrough in 1981, the jazz orchestra has made guest performances in over 40 countries. >>>

01.12.2000

The François Chassagnite Quartet
The French trumpeter François Chassagnite has been on the scene for many years. His latest Quartet includes his French partners Fred d'Oelsnitz, piano, Fabrice Bistoni, bass, and Yoann Serra, drums. This makes for a homogenous quartet in the hardbop tradition. >>>

01.12.2000

The Brigitte Dietrich - Joe Haider Jazz Orchestra feat. Sandy Patton
This new Ensemble was founded in 1999 by the Swiss composer and arranger Brigitte Dietrich and the internationally known piano player, composer and arranger Joe Haider. >>>

01.12.2000

The Claudio Pontiggia New Project
Why did you choose the horn among all the instruments ? Claudio Pontiggia, the young musician born in 1963 and living in the canton of Tessin, Switzerland, replies ironically «I am left handed and the horn is one of the only instruments played with the left hand!». >>>

01.12.2000

François Lindemann: «Formats»
Pianist François Lindemann's appearance on the jazz scene of the French speaking part of Switzerland dates back to the 70ies. He then led groups under the name of CM4 and CM5, was an ardent fan of John Coltrane, MyCoy Tyner and Horace Silver and was slowly but surely recognized as a true talent both as a pianist and as a composer. >>>

13.09.2000

Sandro Schneebeli Group: Estate
There are only a few jazz guitar players who are as filled with the blues as Sandro Schneebeli, who comes from the Italian part of Switzerland and surprises with a great understanding of jazz, rhythm’n’blues, soul and funk. >>>

01.09.2000

Ensemble Oggimusica meets Irène Schweizer
The unusual background and diverse musical origins of its members are the peculiar aspects of the Ensemble ''Oggimusica''. From the trombone of Lorenzo Ghirlanda, who dedicates most of his activities to baroque music, to the horn of Claudio Pontiggia, whose strong point & endash, though he possesses great experience in the classical field- is jazz. >>>

07.08.2000

Peggy Chew Quartet: «Real Days»
After playing together since 1997, the Peggy Chew Quartet released its first CD on the Swiss label Altrisuoni: «Real Days» features several original compositions by the Swiss pianist, Adrian Frey and lyrics by the Chinese-American singer, Peggy Chew. >>>

27.07.2000

Erik Truffaz: Labels fly out the window
Erik Truffaz, a French trumpet player, was introduced to the general public in 1998 as a major European jazz artist. His album «The Dawn», an astonishing experimental mix of jazz, Drum'n'Bass and hip-hop, met with critical acclaim and commercial success: almost 20,000 copies sold in France, 10,000 abroad, and the beat goes on... >>>

13.03.2000

Asita Hamidi's Bazaar: Spaces
«Nafâs» is the name of the second album to come from Persian-born Asita Hamidi who grew up in Bern and Vienna. Apparently opposing worlds of sound become transparent here and unite without revealing any clichés. Her music has an organic effect, breathes regularly and thus spellbinds her listeners. >>>

01.01.2000