Christoph Grab's ROOT AREA & Guests

Album Release «In Pursuit of Happiness»

ROOT AREA stands for soul jazz. After three years, the top-class line-up, consisting of Christoph Grab and Nicole Johänntgen on saxophones, Marcel Thomi on Hammond organ and Elmar Frey on drums, is now making an impressive return with its new album In Pursuit Of Happiness. For the album release at Moods, Zurich guitarist Michael Bucher will also be accompanying the band. With the new album, ROOT AREA consistently continues their idea of integrating a wide variety of grooves into their music and using them as a foundation for their original compositions and improvisations. Whether bluesy boogaloo, gospel ballads, New Orleans grooves, quirky reggae or Afrobeats - ROOT AREA combine deep musical roots with the present.

Tenorsaxophon

Saxophon

Hammond organ

Drum Kit

Guitar

K.O.S Crew Dancehall Mood

Party

Dancehall Mood is the monthly reggae and dancehall party at Moods. Like on every first Saturday of the month, the K.O.S crew will make the Moods club cooking with hot riddims. This promises an evening full of dancehall hits and reggae rarities, perfectly tuned to the respective audience and immaculately presented by the K.O.S crew and their guest.

Majur

Adalu & Moods present

Blending notes of R&amp;B, Blues and rap with the waves of soul. The Bahian artist had a striking start to her career, featuring in the Latin Grammy nominated song “AmarElo” alongside Emicida and Pablo Vittar. Majur’s debut album “Ojunifé” (2021), documents her journey of self-discovery and features collaborations with Liniker and Luedji Luna, reinforcing the message of diversity and black affection. She made her international debut at the Roskilde Festival and has been featured in major Brazilian lineups such as Rock in Rio. With a powerful musical presence, Majur merges African, Indigenous, and modern influences, solidifying her place in the music scene.

The Trans Flag Vogue Night

Adalu & Swiss Godmother HAUSVRAU Laveaux & Moods present

Godmother HAUSVRAU Laveaux is throwing a vogue night to celebrate the Trans community and remind us all that Trans is beautiful and Trans is powerful. A vogue night is a ballroom format that brings a fabulous party with categories from Ballroom. The night is focused on the ballroom community, Trans allies and all who appreciate and respect the culture. A space for experimentation and joy, where the musical journey will go from House to ballroom beats, always serving an element of extravagance and power.

Vocals

Producer

Director

Percussion

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy

With the track «Mam Yinne Wa»e Alogte Oho &amp; His Sounds of Joy set an unmistakable exclamation mark and put the gospel of the Frafra from northern Ghana on the musical map of the world. This was followed by a busy concert schedule in Europe and enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike. “O Yinne” is now the second album by Alogte Oho &amp; His Sounds of Joy. The gospel choir singing, which is reminiscent of the trombones of Jericho in intensity, is the brand core of the group alongside the melodic brass interjections, the flashing synthesizer accents and the heavily grooving rhythm section. However, anyone who thinks of what is commonly referred to as Gospel when hearing the word will be surprised, because gospel here only refers to the textual content. Musically, it&#x27;s an Afro-futuristic firework of pentatonic vocal explosions, carried by rolling West African rhythms.

Trumpet

Keyboards

Brandy Butler & The Brokenhearted

Brandy Butler

The season at Moods is coming to an end. But there is still one Carte Blanche highlight to come: Brandy Butler&#x27;s evening. Expect moments full of tenderness, as well as new music. Having moved to Switzerland from the USA over 20 years ago, Brandy Butler has had a significant impact on the Swiss music scene ever since. Artists such as Sophie Hunger, Erika Stucky, Sina, Stress, Steff La Cheffe, Phenomden and Philip Fankhauser have all collaborated with Butler. Brandy then ventured into the world of theatre, dedicating herself to acting, directing, production, curation and performance. She recently composed the music for the opera Mitosis – An LSD Opera. Brandy is a revolutionary at heart, passionate about change. She is a vocal advocate for diversity, equality and inclusion, especially with regard to strengthening the community. This was also the focus of the &#x27;Together in Sound&#x27; events which she organized as part of her Carte Blanche: people came together to listen to music and exchange ideas. Despite her numerous projects, Butler always has something new up her sleeve. This was also the case here. Brandy surprised Moods by spontaneously announcing that she will present a new album that evening — almost ten years after the release of her last album, The Inventory of Goodbye (2016, Irascible Music). So, on 13 June, there will be an exclusive preview of her new music.

Bass

Ydivide

Album Release «The Default»

Following the internationally acclaimed debut album «Lumumba», Intakt Records will release the second CD «The Default» by Ydivide in 2025. Many important drummers are great band leaders. With their overview, sense of rhythm and form, they provide guidance for the band. During his many years of artistic activity as a drummer in various formations, Clemens Kuratle has developed an individual language as a composer and drummer. He is considered one of the most original drummers of the younger generation, and one of his greatest achievements is the initiation of and continuous work with the band Ydivide, a British-Irish-Swiss collaboration. This quintet brings together the young British jazz scene with saxophonist Dee Byrne, Elliot Galvin on piano, Irish guitarist Chris Guilfoyle, the outstanding Swiss bassist Lukas Traxel and mastermind Clemens Kuratle. Clemens Kuratle and Ydivide have extraordinary musical and technical skills and have developed their very own musical language over the years. Ydivide has something to say: the music is driven by the urgent questions and conflicts that this generation, and the next, have to face. The compositions from the pen of Kuratle reflect political and social issues. Since over 40 years, the Zurich-based label Intakt Records reflects musical and social developments and presents counter-worlds. It is with great pleasure that we will celebrate the beginning of an album, as well as the end of the current season together with Intakt Records.

Altsaxophon

Piano

Composition

Afrobeats Explosion

Die Afrobeats-Szene ist in den letzten Jahren geradezu explodiert, was sich auch in der lebhaften Partyszene widerspiegelt, die sich um dieses Genre herum entwickelt hat. Von Anfang zuvorderst mit dabei: Die «Afrobeats Explosion» im Moods. Von seinen Ursprüngen mit Fela Kuti in den 70er bis Wizkid – Macht euch bereit für eine Tanzexplosion der besonderen Art!

Band-It Weekend

Band-it enables young bands and musicians to present themselves to a larger audience and a jury under professional conditions. In June, they show their skills at six qualifications throughout the canton of Zurich. Indie rock, German pop, Balkan sound, singer/songwriter, hip hop and punk: since 1989, over 1600 bands from all musical genres have taken part in this Newcomer Band Festival. For many of these young talents, Band-it has been a launch pad to great success, such as Faber, Evelinn Trouble, Pablo Infernal and Sebass. Admission is free. A project of Migros Kulturprozent and the Education Department of the Canton of Zurich.

Barbatuques

Moods Summer Special

Barbatuques scored a hit with Baianá in 2005, which later became the World Cup anthem in Brazil and led to countless remixes. However, to reduce the group from São Paulo to one track would not do them justice. With their mixture of body percussion, vocal music and influences from various Brazilian styles, funk, electronics and rap, Barbatuques have created their own unmistakable sound aesthetic and thus contributed significantly to the worldwide spread of body percussion. Their music has been used for various film, commercial and video game soundtracks and has led to performances in over 30 countries. 25 years after their formation, they return with a new stage show that includes new material as well as their older hits.

Body

Úyra Sodoma, Amazonia Mapping Festival, Aíla, Kayatibu, Marara Kelly

The Solar Festival, which has been celebrating Brazilian culture every year since 2019, is expanding its program from 2025. The Amazon Edition focuses on the climate crisis and combines art, culture and a change in consciousness. The program includes performance and video mapping on Schiffbauplatz as well as traditional and modern sounds at Moods. Highlights include indigenous music, Amazonian pop and Brega funk rhythms that reflect the cultural diversity of the rainforest. The festival promotes exchange between contemporary artists and sends out a strong signal for environmental protection and cultural diversity.

«Ponto final, ponto seguido» von Úyra Sodoma

Here, performance art merges with cultural forms of expression to address the urgency of the climate crisis and the importance of the Amazon.

Amazonia Mapping Festival

A visual spectacle that brings the beauty and vulnerability of the Amazon to life through impressive light art and projections.

Kayatibu

This set celebrates the musical roots of the Huni-Kuin indigenous peoples of Amazonia with traditional instruments and songs that celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

Aíla

An energetic mix of popular Amazonian rhythms that merge with modern pop music. Carimbó and calypso bring tropical, danceable vibes, while pisadinha and pagodão emphasize the rhythmic diversity of the region.

Afterparty mit Marara Kelly

The late night is characterized by the pulsating rhythms of techno brega and brega funk. These musical styles combine electronic beats with traditional Brazilian rhythms, creating a rousing atmosphere and inviting you to dance.

Son Rompe Pera

Originally performing alongside their father at local events since they were kids, Son Rompe Pera now find themselves at the forefront of the contemporary international cumbia scene with their sonic explorations of the classic marimba. Their unique blend of sounds comes as the result of a typical youthful rebellion, when as teenagers they left behind their marimba upbringing and began to play in various punk and psychobilly bands. Now they´ve come full circle, incorporating the marimba together with their rock influences, giving it a new twist never before seen. Their live shows are a sweaty mess of dancing fans, and this garage-cumbia-marimba punk band never disappoints on stage. Their authenticity shines through as they give their modern interpretation of Mexican, Peruvian, and Colombian classics, as well as their own original material and some surprise covers. The contrast of the traditional marimba with their youthful attitude and street sense connects the audience to the past while they dance into the future.

Buzz (Boss Hi-Fi)

BUZZ needs no introduction. 16 Tons: fantastic records, beautiful furniture. Boss Hi-Fi: best reggae DJs He will play one of his fantastic cumbia sets after Son Rompe Pera. ¡Fuego!

Marimba

Streetparade Special

Afrobeats Explosion & Dancehall Mood present

Afrobeats Explosion and Dancehall Mood are teaming up for this street parade and present you the best that the current Afrobeats, dancehall and reggae scene in Zurich has to offer. An evening full of Afrobeats and dancehall hits as well as reggae rarities. Get ready for a dance explosion of a special kind.

James Gruntz

«Blink Twice»

Just over ten years ago, James Gruntz burst onto the Swiss music scene with his funk-pop hit, &#x27;Heart Keeps Dancing&#x27;. A lot has happened since then: From Swiss Music Awards and chart positions to sold-out concerts, Gruntz has established himself as one of the best-known voices in Swiss pop. Now, James Gruntz is back with new music and a new band. With &quot;Blink Twice&quot;, the exceptional Swiss artist continues on his successful path. His trademark? Great, stripped-back songs sung in such a gentle voice that you never want to leave this weightless world of sound. Gruntz&#x27;s handling of his voice is unique and unmistakable. Get ready for a soulful, spherical evening. This concert has been organised in collaboration with our main sponsor, Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB). If you have a ZKB customer card, you can purchase your ticket at half price.

BaianaSystem

Moods & Adalu present at Rote Fabrik

BaianaSystem is bringing the &quot;Lundu Rock Show&quot; to Europe for the first time, celebrating its Afro-rock roots. This show combines the albums &quot;O Futuro Não Demora&quot; (2019) and the new &quot;O Mundo Dá Voltas&quot; (2025). The tour starts in September and includes ten shows in various European countries. The &quot;Lundu Rock Show&quot; presents the group in its folkloric and rock form, bringing together the traditions of Afro-Bahian music with Brazilian pop culture. The line-up remains unchanged from the previous tour and includes musicians such as Russo Passapusso and Roberto Barreto. Lead singer Passapusso describes the show as an artistic movement that updates and urbanizes Brazil&#x27;s African musical roots. Lundu, a cultural manifestation of African origin, is reinterpreted and fused with the group&#x27;s characters. BaianaSystem, founded in 2009, has released several albums and performs internationally, including at renowned festivals in Europe and Brazil. Their music combines Afro-Brazilian rhythms, rock, pop and other forms of cultural expression.

JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam

The JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam offers an important platform for the Swiss jazz jam scene. After the musical opening of the jam band, lively and exciting sound conversations begin between musicians who spontaneously meet on stage, reflecting the diversity of jazz in all its facets. The JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam is supported by the non-profit association JazzBaragge. There is no presale for JazzBaragge, only box office.

Mira Lu Kovacs

Mira Lu Kovacs is the voice of the avant-garde supergroup 5K HD, band leader, grunge-pop guitarist for My Ugly Clementine, sound corporate designer for Vienna&#x27;s Belvedere Museum and theatre musician. Amidst this exciting diversity, Mira Lu Kovacs&#x27; solo project on her latest album &quot;Please, Save Yourself&quot; (2024) surprises with an extraordinary calmness. Her voice, introspective lyrics and guitar unfold into sophisticated compositions that become music for daydreaming and maybe even shedding some tears.

Dancehall Mood ist die monatliche Reggae- und Dancehall-Party im Moods. Wie jeden ersten Samstag im Monat wird die K.O.S-Crew das Moods mit heissen Riddims zum Kochen bringen. Das verspricht ein Abend voller Dancehall-Hits und Reggae-Raritäten, perfekt abgestimmt auf das jeweilige Publikum und makellos präsentiert von der K.O.S-Crew und ihrem Gast.

Gisela Horat Trio

Album Release «Live in Leipzig»

Having grown up in a musical environment in a small mountain village in Uri, pianist, composer and bandleader Gisela Horat founded her eponymous trio in 2009. Drummer Samuel Büttiker and bassist Simon Iten have been on board since May 2015. Both are experienced musicians with impressive versatility. The trio tells musical stories that life writes in all its shades. Based on musical sketches and composed songs by the pianist, exciting encounters between composition and improvisation arise, which are characterized by the different worlds of experience of the individual musicians. In numerous concerts, the three have developed their interplay and their own band sound, inspiring audiences with their strong stage presence and the intense expression of their music. In addition to the influences of Eric Satie, Bill Evans, Enrico Pieranunzi, Esbjörn Svensson, The Necks and Sylvie Courvoisier, the pianist&#x27;s classical background is also unmistakable. This lends a harmonious framework to her lyrical and painterly playing, which also appeals to a non-jazz-savvy audience. We are delighted to welcome Gisela and her trio to Moods for the first time.

Nik West

Explosive stage presence isn&#x27;t enough to describe the way Nik West moves, wows, and shocks crowds everywhere. She is a real life gumby on stage, all while singing, dancing, and slapping the hell out of her bass guitar! With credits that include work with artists such as, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, Prince, John Mayer, Glee and more, bassist, singer and songwriter Nik West is anything more than just another pretty face. Bass giant and former member of James Brown&#x27;s band, Bootsy Collins, said of her: &quot;Nik has clearly put the &#x27;groovement&#x27; of funk back where it belongs and I love everything she stands for.&quot; More flamboyant than ever, she&#x27;s ready to bewitch us with her unbridled funk and explosive tracks that occasionally veer towards rock or jazz. Beware, her technique is unstoppable, her powerful voice will tear you apart and her energy seems inexhaustible.

Orquesta Aragón

85 Aniversario

The orchestra was founded in Cuba in 1939 at the time of the great ballrooms. They still maintain this musical tradition today and invite their guests onto the dance floor to the classic Cuban dances cha-cha-cha, son, danzon, charanga and bolero. In order to do justice to the authenticity of the music, the orchestra, which is now in its third generation, still comprises 13 musicians, including string instruments and flutes. They have also won two Latin Grammys for their albums Icono and Chachachá: Homenaje a lo Tradicional in collaboration with Issac Delgado and Alain Pérez. We are delighted to welcome the Orquesta Aragón to an evening of the quintessence of Cuban music.

Regie

Violin

Viola

Flute

Timbales

The Afrobeats scene has virtually exploded in recent years, which is also reflected in the lively party scene that has developed around this genre. At the forefront from the beginning: &quot;Afrobeats Explosion&quot; at Moods. From its origins with Fela Kuti in the 70s to Wizkid – get ready for a special kind of dance explosion!

Stefan Rusconi Solo

SOLACE

Stefan Rusconi was quiet for a long time. The reason behind this is a tragic one. A good nine years ago, he found his friend and bassist dead in his hotel room while on tour. The Swiss pianist&#x27;s world fell apart and he was overcome by dark feelings. Relationships with loved ones, projects, music, dreams, fatherhood all fell apart. But Rusconi did not give up and fought his way back bit by bit. His friends helped him - with a lot of gentleness, tenderness and loving words. They gave him solace and now Rusconi is giving Solace back through music. With this album, which is brimming with gentleness and vulnerability, he wants to give back some of the comfort and hope - everything that he had lost and was allowed to rediscover. Or as he puts it himself: This album is my encouragement to everyone to never give up and to face their demons. It is my invitation to go deep into the inner darkness and emerge stronger.

Islandman

Moods & jazzhane present

Islandman, a music trio in this realm but a fictional character in reality, is a musical identity, a visionary, a full spectrum experience. Just like all healers, shamans and spirits, Islandman holds a whole different ground to their listeners in concerts and opens the door to alternative existences. Their music can be described as a unique blend of smooth electronic textures and dance beats with spacey live guitars backed by shamanic rhythms. The power of the band comes from the perfect balance between electronic structures and acoustic harmonies: Turkish psychedelica meets African roots music. Back in Zurich after sold-out shows in 2022 and 2023.

Live Elektronic

Islandman Afterparty

RUMI is a musical storyteller and co-owner of Zurich’s Kasheme. Inviting his audience on a journey, he blends jazz, afro, soul, and house music. Listening to him, you can feel a delicate selection of gems from around the globe and a positive energy that accompanies his sets. Originally from Willisau in Lucerne and currently now based in Zurich, RUMI has shared stages with Gilles Peterson, Chez Damier, Richard Dorfmeister, Osunlade and Ron Trent; he played at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the legendary Club Zukunft in Zurich, Peti Kupe Zagreb, Brilliant Corners London, Café del Mar, Pikes Ibiza, or for radios, such as worldwide.fm and Ibiza Sonica Radio. RUMI believes music to be a passionate dialogue between hearts, a musical journey that should touch, inspire, and connect people. He will be playing for jazzhane for the first time, and we look forward to a great warm-up and afterparty set.

Disk Jockey

Andreas Schaerer’s Hildegard Lernt Fliegen

20 Years Celebration 

Hildegard lernt Fliegen is not a band, but a storm. You buy a ticket and expect a concert, but what you get is a theatrical assault on your understanding of music, a Dada party, a single excitement. Band leader Andreas Schaerer unleashes his bubbling imagination on the audience at full throttle, and the Swiss sextet celebrates like the salvation of art from itself. The nameless debut album was a hit, as was the follow-up, and the band toured half of Europe, Russia and China with their mixture of jazz rock, tarantella, circus blues, swing and opera. After the presentation of their 2020 album &quot;The Waves Are Rising, Dear!&quot;, the band will celebrate their 20th anniversary at Moods. Known for their high-energy, unconventional stage performances, this sextet will once again prove that seriousness and fun in music do not have to be mutually exclusive, but on the contrary, inspire each other.

Reeds

Tuba

Trombone

Nik Bärtschs Ronin & Simone Felbers iheimisch

«Wätterglüüt»

Nik Bärtsch and Simone Felber were commissioned to compose a piece for the Alpentöne 2025 festival and decided to pursue a project together. This is how RONIN meets iheimisch with Wätterglüüt. Customs and tradition become music and music becomes customs. Which came first, the custom or the music? Stories interweave with reality, grooves with rhymes. Wätterglüüt oscillates between archaic, contemporary and political influences, balancing the enduring and the new. The program pays tribute to important aspects and people of our tradition and at the same time puts new customs in front of them. With this composition, Nik Bärtsch&#x27;s RONIN and Simone Felber&#x27;s iheimisch move forward to the roots and thus back to the future.

Bass Clarinet

Kontrabassklarinette

Cello

Accordion

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Jean-Paul Brodbeck: The Brahms Project feat. Lukas Traxel & Jorge Rossy

Rosenwinkel and Brodbeck team up again off the heels of their successful first collaboration “The Chopin Project”. This time, with their telepathic quartet intact, they tackle the music of Johannes Brahms. Brodbeck&#x27;s new arrangements take up the yearning melodies and classical-romantic harmonic structures of Johannes Brahms and find a new form of expression with these familiar and carefully selected compositions. The &quot;folk style&quot; to which Brahms felt connected becomes a refreshing jazz sound in which the ritual element of Hungarian dances is revived, as well as the touching beauty of the late piano pieces. Rosenwinkel&#x27;s long expanding phrases meet the refined orchestrations of Brodbeck, Traxel and Rossy. The familiar enters a new framework of earthy, groovy music, out of which ascends sublime improvisation.

Karriem Riggins & J. Rocc

Think fat beats, wild drum solos and fresh cuts, and you&#x27;re on the right track with Karriem Riggins and J. Rocc. These two US artists are something of a beacon in the hip-hop world. Their influence is felt far and wide, and they are hugely influential in the genre. Let&#x27;s start with Riggins, who also has an impressive career in jazz. For example, the drummer produced the rapper Common back in the &#x27;90s and has worked with renowned artists such as Erykah Badu, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Kaytranada and Madlib. He is also part of the Emmy Award-winning supergroup August Greene, alongside Common and Robert Glasper. J. Rocc is a turntable legend, one of the first DJs to play hip-hop in Southern California and the founder of the Beat Junkies. He also DJs for Madlib and was a member of Jaylib. The collaborative music of Karriem Riggins and J. Rocc sounds a bit like a classic beat tape, but is so much more. They span narratives across tracks and entire albums, giving the whole thing the character of a suite. Together, these two luminaries will guide the Moods ship safely through a stormy evening, navigating surging drum rolls, breaking beats and lightning-fast cuts. This concert will be standing.

Adrian Younge

Something About April III - Tour

Adrian Younge is a visionary multi-instrumentalist, an Emmy Award-winning composer, and an advocate of analogue art. At his fully analogue studio, Linear Labs, in Los Angeles, he creates haunting works that bridge the gap between past and present. Adrian Younge is known for his groundbreaking album Something About April, which was sampled by Jay-Z, among others. He is now coming to Moods with the sequel, Something About April III, an album that he says is a dream come true: &quot;This is what I wanted to do when I created the first album in 2011. However, I lacked the musical knowledge and experience to create the sound buried deep in my soul.&quot; He is fascinated by Brazilian music, a genre he discovered late but has since become immersed in. This is clearly evident on his album São Paulo and is also reflected in Something About April III. Composed entirely in Portuguese, he manages to redefine music while preserving the analogue humanity in a digital world, achieving incomparable depth and authenticity.

Leitung

Peter Somuah Group

Peter Somuah is a gifted trumpeter who learned to play by listening endlessly to his trumpet heroes Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Hargrove. Somuah stands out with his warm and melancholic sound, as well as the rhythmic prowess reflecting his upbringing surrounded by the music styles native to West Africa. He touches his audiences and makes them groove. In 2021 Somuah won the Erasmus Jazz award for young jazz talent, and in 2022 he won the prestigious Edison Jazz Award with his debut album Outer Space. In June 2024, Somuah worked on a project with the WDR Big Band playing his own compositions, arranged and conducted by the musical cosmopolitan Michael Mossman. His latests album &quot;Highlife&quot; takes listeners on a vibrant journey through the rich musical heritage of Peter Somuah’s Ghanaian roots and the innovative world of jazz. Drawing from his early years playing highlife music in Accra, and blending it with influences from legends like Miles Davis, Somuah creates a unique sound that bridges generations. The album showcases a rich tapestry of instruments, from highlife’s signature rhythmic guitars and percussion to Somuah’s radiant trumpet, weaving a captivating dialogue between highlife and modern jazz. Recorded with vintage analogue equipment, Highlife captures the warmth and grit of 1960s highlife, while propelling the genre into new territories. This album is not only a celebration of Ghana’s musical legacy but also a statement of pride, addressing themes of colonialism and self-empowerment, inviting listeners to reflect and dance to the rhythms of both history and the future of jazz.

W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc)

WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) were the biggest rock band in Zambia in the 1970s and were at the forefront of a new genre known as zamrock. They fused influences ranging from the Rolling Stones to Black Sabbath to James Brown and mixed them with traditional African rhythms and songs. At the height of their popularity, the band often needed the police to keep fans at bay while their lead singer Jagari - whose name is an Africanization of Mick Jagger&#x27;s name - roughed up the crowd. As Zambia&#x27;s economy stagnated and the country suffered from the AIDS crisis, WITCH disbanded. Jagari, now the only surviving member of the original line-up, retreated to a life of quasi-anonymity as a university music professor before being wrongfully arrested in Zambia&#x27;s darkest hour. Now in his 60s and spending his time mining gemstones, WITCH didn&#x27;t receive much attention outside of their home country until 2012, when Now Again Records reissued their entire discography. Their last concert at Moods 2023 was certainly a highlight of the year and we are therefore delighted that the band is returning.

LINA_

An unmistakable, expressive voice and expansive music based on fado: this is &#x27;Fado Camões&#x27;, the album by Portuguese singer and composer LINA_. Fado Camões&#x27; is a unique composition based on the classic poetry of Portugal&#x27;s most famous historical poet, Luís Vaz de Camões. &quot;I became curious, I wanted to know more, beyond the &#x27;Lusíadas&#x27; or &#x27;Sonetos&#x27;&quot;, explains LINA_, &quot;and I discovered that his themes - change, childhood, love, heartbreak or the description of nature - fit into the context of fado and its metrics.&quot; The simple elegance of the recent past is still there, but now there is a new spaciality in which the voice stands out amidst the silence of guitar and violin. It&#x27;s about language, writing, poetry and the structure of Camões&#x27; poems, combined with the expression and &#x27;saudade&#x27; of fado.

Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek

jazzhane & Moods present

Derya Yıldırım insists that if you’re going to play an old folk song then you have to contribute something new, otherwise you might as well just put the old record on. With her band Grup Şimşek’s forthcoming album Yarın Yoksa, which translates to If There’s No Tomorrow, she continues this journey revitalizing Anatolian folk music and instrumentation by infusing timeless melodies with a modern psychedelic flair. Born in Hamburg, Germany to Turkish parents, she grew up influenced by her family’s Anatolian background and the myriad of cultures in the city. Derya’s musical roots started at home playing folk music with family members. Although she is a multi-instrumentalist, Derya always felt drawn to the sound of the bağlama - “there’s just something very magical about it”. And her concerts are just that: magical!

Bağlama

Orgel

Synthesizer

Gansch & Roses

50 Jahre Thomas Gansch Anniversary Band

Thomas Gansch needs little introduction. The Austrian trumpeter, composer and mastermind behind Mnozil Brass has already graced Moods several times - and he loved it. So much so that he is playing one of his only four shows with Gansch &amp; Roses here for his 50th birthday - the only one outside Austria and at his own request. He gave himself a birthday present: a band that will make you go into raptures. Greats such as Randy Brecker, James Morrison, Dave Taylor, Peter Erskine and Wolfgang Puschnig pay their respects to Gansch and play together with Michael Hornek, Albert Wieder, Florian Trübsbach, Fabian Rucker - and of course the birthday boy himself.

Flugelhorn

Bassposaune

Emmet Cohen

Emmet Cohen celebrates the jazz tradition: the finest jazz, with swing, precision and, in the words of Downbeat Magazine, &quot;a nimble touch, measured step and warm harmonic vocabulary&quot;. He sees himself as a mediator between the audience and his fellow musicians, who in addition to his trio have included Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Tootie Heath and George Coleman. In other words, Emmet Cohen brings a fresh palette of sounds to classic jazz forms with an almost unparalleled mastery and passion. Back at Moods after a packed show in 2024.

Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots

lda Nielsen&#x27;s life was turned upside down when she joined music legend Prince in 2010 and began touring with &quot;The New Power Generation&quot; and the 4-piece powerhouse rock band &quot;3rdeyegirl&quot;. She describes playing with Prince as the most magical musical journey ever. An ongoing learning experience beyond imagination. This journey continues after her years with Prince with a remarkable solo career. In 2019 she was voted one of the top ten bassists in the world in the annual Music Radar poll (along with other greats such as Stanley Clarke &amp; Victor Wooten). Ida Nielsen &amp; The Funkbots deliver an energetic funk show full of good vibes, tight grooves and subtle references to her former employer and teacher Prince. Back at Moods for the 3rd time, for fans of funk, groove, Prince, Nik West and The Next Movement.

Electronics

Orchestra Baobab

Orchestra Baobab has been on stage for over 50 years! The Senegalese band was founded in 1970, ten years after the country&#x27;s independence, and created the soundtrack of the young nation with its mixture of traditional music and influences from all over the world. Over the years, the line-up has of course changed, but what makes Orchestra Baobab what it is today has remained the same: An irrepressible joy of playing and the unmistakable mix of Afro-Latin American styles, international pop and traditional griot music. Tour presented by ByteFM

Congas

Monobloco

How many stories can you fit into 25 years? In the case of Monobloco, the answer is: infinitely. For more than two decades, the band has been synonymous with excessive celebrations, intense encounters and passions. The anniversary is being celebrated under the motto Nossa Histôria De Amor (Our Love Story). Monobloco has always been a great celebration of love: friendships formed during rehearsals, marriages made to the sound of the tambourine and children growing up to the rhythm of the batucada. Their current repertoire includes classics such as Taj Mahal, Fio Maravilha, Explode Coração as well as new hits from the pen of the famous Jorge Aragão (for example Vou Festejar, Identidade and Coisinha do Pai). Of course, the percussive essence that transcends rhythms and styles remains, delighting fans worldwide.

Cavaquinho

Snare Drum

Tamburin

Surdo

Manou Gallo

From the small town of Divo in Ivory Coast, the path of the energetic bassist, drummer, and singer led her to the world’s biggest stages. None other than the bass legend Bootsy Collins paved the way for Manou Gallo to be named one of the “Top 10 World Best Bass Players”! Gallo is pure power on the bass, mixing jazz, funk, groove, and Afro beat. Once you’ve experienced her, you immediately recognize her uniqueness: In her hands, the bass sometimes becomes a percussion element, driving the groove to fascinating heights. It’s no wonder Bootsy Collins calls her the “African Queen of Bass”. Other giants like Manu Dibango, Mamady Keita, Wyclef Jean, Marcus Miller, and Lucas van Meerwijk have also taken notice of her and shared stages with her. Proud of her African roots, Gallo says she has the musical freedom to play anything. And it’s precisely this freedom that you’ll find on stage: an explosive mixture of funk, jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and confident Afro grooves. With her technique and her music, Manou Gallo impressively proves that she is one of the best bassists in the world.

Jowee Omicil

Bwa KaYimaN FreeDoM SuiTe

Jowee Omicil is a tireless border crosser who is constantly exploring new musical worlds. No category does justice to this exceptional artist - a saxophonist, singer, pianist and visionary who draws inspiration from his Haitian roots to create music that tastes of freedom and is carried by a mystical air of rebellion and memory. Born in Montréal to Haitian parents, Jowee Omicil combines his origins, encounters, travels and discoveries in his music to create a unique expression of curiosity and authenticity. Full of energy and joie de vivre, Jowee is a passionate entertainer who delights audiences with his melodies and grooves. His music combines the freedom of jazz, the depth of gospel and pulsating beats that surprise, refresh and energize - a boost of energy for the soul. His latest album, Spiritual Healing: Bwa Kayiman Freedom Suite, is inspired by the Vodou ceremony of the Bois Caïman in 1791, a historic turning point that heralded the Haitian slave uprising and the path to independence. Jowee brings this irrepressible longing for freedom to the stage with impressive virtuosity and boundless generosity - an electrifying combination that captivates and inspires the audience - his secret recipe: no two concerts are the same, so each one is a premiere in its own right.

Clarinet

Cornet

Nesrine

«Kan Ya Makan»

The Franco-Algerian singer, cellist, and songwriter Nesrine is a modern-day Scheherazade—a storyteller of our time. Her album Kan Ya Makan, Arabic for “Once upon a time,” is like a contemporary collection of tales from One Thousand and One Nights. Nesrine’s rich and intricate sound mirrors her diverse musical background. As a classically trained cellist, she has performed with Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Valencia Opera Orchestra under Lorin Maazel. She has also taken the stage as a guest performer with the Cirque du Soleil. Despite a promising career in classical orchestras, she chose to follow her solo path—a decision that has led to great success. Several extensive tours throughout Europe followed and Nesrine has thrilled audiences in classical venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie and the Amsterdam Cello Biennale as well as at major jazz and world music festivals. Her songs, which she performs in Arabic, French and English, reflect her personal journey, which is rooted in her Algerian heritage and characterised by her life in Paris. Nesrine has released two internationally acclaimed albums on ACT Music. In early 2024, she also released a digital EP on which she performs together with the world-famous Metropole Orkest. Now she is playing her debut in Zurich, live at Moods. This concert will be partially seated.

The lower floor of the club is at ground level and accessible without steps. There is one accessible bathroom which can be used with a Eurokey. The bar is not accessible and is approximately 1.20 metres high.
Sensory stimuli: Most concerts are accompanied by moving lights and smoke.
For sold-out or well-attended concerts, it is worth arriving early.

Are you unable to stand for a long time or do you need other support for your visit? Then get in touch by email or phone: info@moods.ch or 044 276 80 00.

Moods members are guaranteed admission to every event until 30 minutes before the concert starts. Only shows with a high demand require a reservation. The corresponding concerts are marked on the website with "Member-Reservation".

Moods is reached via the main entrance of the Schiffbau at Schiffbauplatz. We recommend arriving by public transport (streetcar 4 or 8 / bus 72, 83 or 33 to Schiffbau; S-Bahn to Hardbrücke station and from there approx. 2 minutes on foot).
Parking spaces are available under Hardbrücke and in the Pfingstweid-/Hardstrasse parking garage.

Carte Blanche Special

Franziska Bruecker, Roberto Domeniconi, Dave Gisler, Simon Grab, Victoria Mozalevskaya, Lucas Niggli, Jonas Ruther, Tizia Zimmermann

The carte blanche evenings at Moods are something special. Curated by leading Swiss jazz musicians, these evenings invite you to discover and inspire. And what&#x27;s better than an artist&#x27;s carte blanche evening? When all the musicians join forces. Every year, the Moods Musicians&#x27; Council selects Swiss musicians for a Carte Blanche. With a budget of 11,000 francs, they are free to organise their projects as they wish. There are (almost) no limits – be it concerts, sound installations or invitations to guest musicians. Dave Gisler, Franziska Bruecker, Jonas Ruther, Lucas Niggli, Roberto Domeniconi, Simon Grab, Tizia Zimmermann and Victoria Mozalevskaya have come up with something special to close this year&#x27;s Carte Blanche season at Moods. Solo, trio or all together: Moods Carte Blanche artists will showcase their talents in a variety of constellations on 6th June. Instead of concentrating on their own musical creations, as they did in their individual shows, they will create unique soundscapes together on this evening. Familiar patterns and genre boundaries are completely ignored. For example, while Simon Grab - the noisemaker par excellence - is completely electronic, Victoria Mozalevskaya originally comes from classical music and has now dedicated herself to contemporary jazz. Worlds will collide, we promise.

The 2024/25 season is almost over. So it's worth looking back at everything that happened. Our team certainly didn't have an easy time. They had to select their favourites from over 250 shows.

The Moods team looks back - Part 1

What kind of music was playing at Moods? How many people were there? Where did the artists come from? Do you want answers to these questions? No problem! We've analysed the year 2024 for you.

The Moods year 2024 in figures

Brandy Butler's Carte Blanche is all about community and sharing a collective musical experience. What lies behind it?

Carte Blanche: Brandy Butler

Invitation to the General Assembly 2025

A unique musical style has emerged in northern Ghana. Frafra Gospel. The two most prominent figures in this genre are undoubtedly Alogte Oho and Florence Adooni. However, the two artists have more in common than just a musical genre.

Alogte Oho and Florence Adooni: The voices of the Frafra Gospel

Greg Foat

He is a jazz pianist, composer, music producer - and a fixture on the London jazz scene: Greg Foat. In his pieces, Foat mixes jazz and ambient with electronic influences, creating unique soundscapes that invite immersion and exploration. Greg Foat is an innovator, always pushing the boundaries of his music. He recently collaborated with Venetian electro legend Gigi Masin on the critically acclaimed «Dolphin». His creativity knows no bounds. His live releases are proof of this. On «Live at Can Rudayla, Ibiza», for example, he fuses analogue synthesizers with ambient house and space jazz, while on «Live at Villa Maximus, Mykonos», he combines more cosmic jazz sounds with psychedelic elements. Foat will perform at Moods with the living groove machine Moses Boyd. The young jazz drummer, who turns 34 this year, has been described by the Guardian as the poster boy of London&#x27;s jazz revival.

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Thomas Gansch

Baritone Saxophone

Album Release «Neat Little Songs»

The long and very fruitful artistic relationship between Thomas Gansch and the ZJO has now been immortalized on a studio recording. This new CD will be presented on May 22nd at Moods. The program consists exclusively of compositions by Thomas Gansch, arranged by Ed Partyka. In addition to Thomas, the soloists of the ZJO can also be heard extensively. The music is profound and humorous at the same time and combines elements of jazz, classical and folk music with unexpected detours into the world of film music and 20th century pop culture. Almost exactly eleven years have passed since Thomas Gansch&#x27;s first performance with the ZJO. Today he is a good friend of the band and a favorite of the ZJO audience. The basic concept therefore remains the same for the joint CD: musical fireworks, fun, unconventional, crazy. Gansch and the ZJO have already performed everything imaginable together: Gil Evans, Don Ellis, their own music. And Thomas Gansch&#x27;s own music can now be heard on the new CD. Thomas Gansch and Ed Partyka have known each other for half an eternity. They met in 1999 at the Vienna Art Orchestra, and later Ed Partyka also played in Thomas Gansch&#x27;s band Gansch &amp; Roses. We have known each other for so long, but until now I have never had the opportunity to arrange his music for a jazz orchestra. I am very pleased that this has finally become possible and that we can present this special program with new arrangements with the ZJO on a joint disc, says Ed Partyka. Thomas Gansch not only has a keen awareness of the history of popular music and jazz, his roots also extend to Alpine folk music and the entire history of European classical music. All this profound knowledge is wrapped up in Viennese humor and presented with a great stage show and virtuoso trumpet playing. Listening to him, you get the impression that playing the trumpet is very easy.

Sélène Saint-Aimé String Trio

Sélène Saint-Aimé only appeared on the music scene a few years ago and has already developed a strong, independent voice. With a father from Martinique and a Franco-Ivorian mother, she describes herself as an “Afro-descendant”. Accordingly, her musical identity is clearly cosmopolitan, as she is influenced by both her roots and her travels. In this exclusive concert series, she will reinterpret songs from Louisiana, the Antilles and La Réunion and get to the bottom of her Creole identity. She will be accompanied by French violinist Thèo Ceccaldi, who has already won a Victoire du Jazz as “Revelation of the Year” and demonstrated his versatility with the French-Ethiopian project “Kutu”; and Guillaume Latil, one of the most sought-after jazz cellists.

Lea Maria Fries

Album Release «Cleo»

A fascinating voice reminiscent of Mélanie De Biasio and Beth Gibbons: Lea Maria Fries (et.nu, 22° Halo) is releasing her first solo album &#x27;Cleo&#x27; on 4 April 2025. On it, the Swiss singer confidently tells of an artist&#x27;s intimate search for her future, maturity and sensitivity. It is about encounters with the world, about being a woman in society and culture, and about becoming a queen like the one who has inspired her since childhood: Cleopatra. Strong, soulful, powerful, fresh and full of surprises, &#x27;Cleo&#x27; captivates the listener with every note.

Dr.O.G.E

E-Gitarre

Dave Gisler

Two musicians invent a new state of intoxication: no drugs, just drums, organ and electric guitar. Valeria Zangger, Dominik Blum and Dave Gisler leave times and styles behind when they create their music. Motifs, essences and quotations are taken from the pool of rock, pop and their own musical worlds and catapulted into new dimensions through improvisation. The result can be a cross between Pink Floyd and free jazz, or a noise prayer with Jimi Hendrix and Arnold Schoenberg. This trio was initiated by drummer Fredy Studer, who died unexpectedly in August 2022. Valeria Zangger is now on board, with a stylistic spectrum ranging from pop music to experimental and free improvisation. The interweaving of the most diverse musical hallucinations characterises the trio and is the chemical formula for their explosive fuel. What they have in common is the desire to create energetic sound processes inspired by the history of rock and jazz, which vibrate atmospherically in the free play of encounters and can grow into powerful vibrations.

Flo Stoffner

&quot;Free improvisation at its best&quot; is what Swiss guitarist Flo Stoffner embodies in a unique way. His way of playing and deconstructing the guitar is unmistakable and unique and has been described as &quot;some kind of autopsy of the guitar sound&quot;. Solo or in collaboration with musicians such as John Butcher, Chris Corsano, Paul Lovens, Rudi Mahall, Albert Cirera and Hans Koch, but also with spoken word artist Anna Frey or with Anna &amp; Stoffner, he has become one of the outstanding figures of the European improvisation scene. Looking back as well as forward, he raises the banner of instant composing and proves again and again how alive, surprising and up-to-date the tradition of free improvisation is today.

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Theo Bleckmann

Ed Partyka and Theo Bleckmann have worked together on several projects in Germany and Finland since 2007, and as Theo is the new jazz vocal teacher at the ZHDK, a collaboration with the ZJO was but a matter of time. Originally this was supposed to happen last season, but unfortunate circumstances made a postponement necessary. Ed Partyka will arrange Theo&#x27;s own compositions as well as a broad repertoire ranging from jazz standards to songs by Kate Bush for Theo&#x27;s unique voice and combine them with the many interesting instrumental textures and timbres of the Zurich Jazz Orchestra. A very special vocal jazz concert. Theo Bleckmann is a multiple GRAMMY®-nominated singer, composer and ECM recording artist who has recorded more than 17 albums and collaborated with artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Sheila Jordan, Kneebody, Ben Monder, John Hollenbeck, Phil Kline, David Lang, Ulysses Owens, Bang on a Can All-Stars and, most notably, Meredith Monk since 1994. Bleckmann was interviewed by Terry Gross on the NPR program Fresh Air and appeared on the David Letterman Show with Laurie Anderson. He consistently tops the DownBeat polls, and in his home country of Germany he was awarded the prestigious JAZZ ECHO by the German Phono Academy.

Tomorrow Tribal Quartet

Lucas Niggli – GLUT4

Tomorrow Tribal&#x27; stands for playing, for risk, for immediacy - and at the same time for maximum precision. Lucas Niggli&#x27;s commissioned work for the Tomorrow Tribal Quartet, which includes himself on drums as well as Brian Archinal (no-input mixer, vibraphone, megaphone, percussion), Gilles Grimaître (piano, Korg organ) and Sascha Armbruster (soprano saxophone, tubax), is based on a set of 16 playing cards that dictate the dramaturgy of the music. Each card depicts a specific musical motif, inspired by the four musicians playing together and by unique expressions in different, sometimes obscure, languages. Lagom&quot; (Swedish for &quot;not too much and not too little, just right&quot;), &quot;Ukiyo&quot; (Japanese for &quot;living in the moment&quot;) or &quot;Kephaloporosis&quot; (ancient Greek for a usually temporary state of mental confusion after intense stress) head the motif cards; these are terms that have no literal translation - they are as unique as the four musicians&#x27; musical languages. Each member of the quartet has all 16 cards and can play each one once. There is a playing table in the middle of the Boiler Room. When a new card is played, the other musicians can decide whether to jump straight to the new motif, &#x27;morph&#x27; from the old to the new, or not react at all. The piece thrives on spontaneous, intuitive musical action, so every performance will be unique. Only the groovy, melodic final canon, which the quartet will enter just before the end of the 45-minute performance, has been composed. Tomorrow Tribal will be an explosive and playful musical frenzy, full of surprises - and the odd joker will be thrown in for good measure.

Carte Blanche Special

Franziska Bruecker, Roberto Domeniconi, Dave Gisler, Simon Grab, Victoria Mozalevskaya, Lucas Niggli, Jonas Ruther, Tizia Zimmermann

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