ZKB Jazz Prize 2025: Introducing the nominees
At the ZKB Jazz Prize Festival, six young and innovative bands compete for Switzerland's most highly endowed jazz prize. In other words, you can hear the future here! But who is actually taking part? To give you an idea of the nominated bands, they introduce themselves here and explain what they would do with the prize if they won.
Sunday, September 21, 7:00 pm
Maurice Storrer and his quartet perform contemporary jazz, drawing on the tension between form and freedom. For them, everything revolves around musical dialogue. They constantly rethink and reinterpret, paying clear homage to the jazz tradition while avoiding stylistic limitations. Their music is challenging and always lively and in motion.
Ace Ross
Sunday, September 21, 8:00 pm
Ace Ross is the alter ego of drummer and producer Arthur Routaboul, who performs with various up-and-coming jazz and contemporary music bands. You can hear the influence of bands such as Nubiyan Twist and Corto Alto in Ace Ross's music. They combine live jazz with modern production techniques to create an innovative and exciting musical experience.
Ramzi Hammad & RH Collective
Monday, September 22, 8:30 pm
Drummer and composer Ramzi Hammad combines the Middle Eastern rhythms of his origins with modern jazz in his music. Hammad's life is reflected in his music: his Palestinian roots, his jazz studies at the Zurich University of the Arts, and his fondness for the London jazz scene.
Samson Philipps
Monday, September 22, 9:30 pm
Samson Philipps is the collaboration between drummer Samuel Schmassmann and keyboardist Philipp Bucholtz. The duo's music moves in the realms of nu-jazz, but always incorporates elements of drum and bass, trip hop, funk, psychedelia and ambient. The result is a sound that is both dreamy and driving.
Mundus
Tuesday, September 23, 8:30 pm
The Mundus Trio creates a powerful yet melancholy sound, drawing on influences from groove, contemporary jazz and hip-hop. Victor Decamp's compositions act as a sonic diary, expressing the feelings of being at home amidst moments of loneliness and intensity.
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Tuesday, September 23, 9:30 pm
The band themselves describe their sound as 'trip-hop-inspired, jazz-influenced, synthesiser-backed hybrid pop' — and you can hear that influence. The quartet skilfully combines lyrical, intimate storytelling with electronic sounds and beats. The result is a rich musical blend of intensity and gentleness that reflects life's contrasts.
You can find all further information on the ZKB Jazz Prize Festival at jazzpreis.ch!
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