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.

V.I.P. Session by JUR Records – Photek (UK)

JUR Records 35bday 

Photek, the stage name of Rupert Parkes, stands relentlessly on the edge. A sound scientist who, since 1994, has pushed both his own sonic boundaries and the expectations of his fans to the extreme, he has flooded the footnotes of electronica the way MP3s once filled your hard drive. He was there when Goldie coined the term drum &amp; bass, though to this day he prefers jungle. His album Modus Operandi (released in 1997), including the track “Ni-Ten-Ichi-Ryu,” helped define the unmistakable “Photek sound”: atmospheric pieces with cool, highly complex beats, sometimes layered with minimalist synthesizer melodies—yet contrasted with the plucked resonance of an upright bass. Modus Operandi was a conceptual experiment in time and emotional atmosphere, pushing the drum &amp; bass idea to its limits. Its follow-up albums, Form &amp; Function and Solaris, have also achieved cult status. Parkes has released music under various pseudonyms such as Special Forces and Studio Pressure on his own label PP, as well as Aquarius and Sentinel on Good Looking Records, with numerous EPs and albums. In 2012, another Photek album appeared as part of the DJ-Kicks series. His remixes for Björk, Everything But The Girl, and Nine Inch Nails are cult classics within the drum &amp; bass scene. He has also produced various film soundtracks. In 2025, he released a new drum &amp; bass album as a box set—featuring the track “Breath Control.”

Disk Jockey

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.

Stimmen aus dem Morgenland

in der Citykirche Offener St. Jakob

Under the direction of Hermann Ostendarp, Ensemble 25 explores the mysterious sounds of Palestine, the polyphonic chants of Syria and the captivating nuances of Eastern Mediterranean music. Accompanied by percussionist Peter Rosmanith and bassist Arnulf Lindner, Palestinian oud player and composer Marwan Abado and Syrian singer Dima Orsho weave a tapestry of sound, rich in colours, stories and emotions – a musical feast for the heart and senses. The &quot;Young Masters Concert Band&quot; from the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School in Vienna are guests as part of a youth music exchange between Vienna and St. Gallen. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Concert location: Citykirche Offener St. Jakob, Stauffacherstrasse 34, 8004 Zürich

Vocals

Bass

Percussion

Clarinet

Violin

Orchestra

it's me? – Modular Music Machines für Familien

Matthias Tschopp & Jürg Zimmermann

The concerts by “it’s me?” are a unique experience – musically, conceptually, and spatially. Starting with the space: The musicians are situated right in the middle of the audience, who sit at the twelve “Modular Music Machines” and can help shape the music live. There is no stage, nor is one needed: Everyone is together in the auditorium, making music together. The surround sound system further ensures an immersive audio experience: everyone is surrounded by music, with melodies and sounds moving through the space. The audience is thus at the heart of the action not only spatially but also acoustically. Conceptually, “it’s me?” breaks the mold of conventional concerts. Through this interactive setting, the concert becomes an experience, a workshop, and a field of experimentation all at once. The musicians engage with the audience – not only musically, but also verbally before the concert begins and between pieces. They provide instructions and tips on how to operate and use the Modular Music Machines. Musically, “it’s me?” uniquely blends DIY electronics with jazz, horn melodies with techno, and soundscapes with beats and basslines. Concert duration: 50–65 minutes - Children of all ages are welcome at this concert. - We ensure that the volume is appropriate, but still recommend hearing protection for young children. - Children under 12 can attend the concert free of charge, but we kindly ask you to reserve a free ticket. - Young people between the ages of 12 and 16 pay half price. - Can&#x27;t afford a ticket? Send us a message at info@moods.ch.

Keyboards

it's me? – Modular Music Machines

The concerts by “it’s me?” are a unique experience – musically, conceptually, and spatially. Starting with the space: The musicians are situated right in the middle of the audience, who sit at the twelve “Modular Music Machines” and can help shape the music live. There is no stage, nor is one needed: Everyone is together in the auditorium, making music together. The surround sound system further ensures an immersive audio experience: everyone is surrounded by music, with melodies and sounds moving through the space. The audience is thus at the heart of the action not only spatially but also acoustically. Conceptually, “it’s me?” breaks the mold of conventional concerts. Through this interactive setting, the concert becomes an experience, a workshop, and a field of experimentation all at once. The musicians engage with the audience – not only musically, but also verbally before the concert begins and between pieces. They provide instructions and tips on how to operate and use the Modular Music Machines. Musically, “it’s me?” uniquely blends DIY electronics with jazz, horn melodies with techno, and soundscapes with beats and basslines. Since space is limited, please let us know if you are unable to attend.

Electronics

Sonido Gallo Negro

With guitars, eccentric organs, analog synthesizers, and theremin (!), Sonido Gallo Negro from Mexico bring the roots of psychedelic tropical music back to life. Vintage sounds and obscure sonic rarities blend with a touch of esotericism, elevating perception to a new state of consciousness—one that inevitably drives you to dance until exhaustion. Since 2010, the band has toured internationally, performing in over 20 countries and more than 50 cities, and with five studio albums to date, has become one of the most renowned acts to emerge from Mexico City.

Buzz (Boss Hi-Fi)

Warm Up & Afterparty

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 Sonido Gallo Negro. ¡Fuego!

Flute

Bongos

Guitar

Theremin

Visuals

Guiro

Timbales

Müslüm und Band

The king of immigrant pop is in full swing, accompanied by a mind-blowing entourage. He is a cult phenomenon: his &#x27;Süpervitamin&#x27; is the nation&#x27;s only legal drug and gets everyone moving without limits. His voice strikes right at the heart and his hip-swing unleashes explosive &#x27;Swissteria&#x27;. His eyebrows have grown together out of love, becoming one, and his atomic charisma draws his audience together too, celebrating pure existence. Chest puffed out, he defies these spiritless times, drawing from the richest of sources in a tribute to unfiltered existence. Uncompromising. Generous. Clear and refreshing like Swiss spring water. Those who feel it are already there, and what &#x27;it&#x27; is doesn&#x27;t matter, only that &#x27;it&#x27; exists. Follow the call of your heart. Be part of his relentless practice, regardless of theories. Are you still thinking, or are you already living?

Drum Kit

Paolo Fresu & Rita Marcotulli

Italienisches Kulturinstitut presents

When two of the most influential figures in European jazz collaborate, the result is music that is deeply moving, elegant and emotional. Paolo Fresu and Rita Marcotulli&#x27;s duo blends Mediterranean timbres with subtle improvisational artistry and exceptional musical sensitivity. Using trumpet, flugelhorn, piano and subtle electronics, the two artists engage in an atmospheric dialogue between jazz, contemporary music and poetic soundscapes. They perform both intimately and acoustically and dazzlingly and surprisingly. Throughout, they embody a great musical openness and a shared sense of beauty in the details. Paolo Fresu has been one of Europe’s leading jazz musicians for decades, captivating audiences worldwide with his unmistakable sound. Rita Marcotulli is one of Italy’s most notable pianists, renowned for her lyrical style and versatility. Together, they promise a concert full of warmth, sophistication, and magical moments. Their music is both moving and resonant. In collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Zurigo.

Flugelhorn

Trumpet

Piano

Raphael Jost Quintet & lots of strings

Album Release «Over The Moon»

Singer and pianist Raphael Jost sees himself as a modern-day crooner. He captivates audiences with his powerful, warm voice, moving effortlessly between jazz and pop. His songs are snapshots of his life: catchy and cleverly crafted. Jost, who has already won the Swiss Jazz Award for his debut album, also loves singing swinging standards. At the piano, he brings his idols from the swing tradition, such as Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander and Ahmad Jamal, to life. Writing for a string orchestra has long been Raphael Jost’s dream. For his latest album, Over the Moon, released in autumn 2026, he finally made that dream a reality. Rounding out the core lineup – featuring the outstanding soloists Bastien Rieser on trumpet and Alex Hendriksen on saxophone, Jost’s longtime collaborator Raphael Walser on double bass, and London-based drummer Luke Tomlinson – are ten string players who lend the music both sonic richness and intimacy. Working alongside British arranger Callum Au, who has previously collaborated with artists such as Jamie Cullum and Michael Bublé, Jost has created a captivating programme. The rich, multifaceted sound of the strings adds a new sonic dimension to Jost’s music, reaching all the way to the moon and back.

Tenorsaxophon

Kontrabass

Viola

Cello

Jasmine Myra

Jasmine Myra is one of the most exciting young jazz artists in the United Kingdom. Not only did her last performance result in our bookers shedding tears of joy, but her two previous albums, &quot;Horizons&quot; (2022) and &quot;Rising&quot; (2024), were highly praised by critics. Now, with her new album, &quot;Where Light Settles&quot;, the composer and bandleader is taking the next step in her unique musical journey of discovery. Through nine beautiful compositions, she shares her reflections on life, growth, and progress. She is driven by her vision of duality: “Pain is inevitable, and you will always face difficulties, but without it, you won&#x27;t grow or learn anything about yourself or the world around you. It&#x27;s those bittersweet moments that are heartbreaking but so important.” This latest work is not only her first self-composed album, but also her first self-produced album. Matthew Halsall, head of the Gondwana label and a continuation of the spiritual jazz tradition of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, served as co-producer. The album is a colourful soundscape, shaped by Myra&#x27;s affinity for film music.

Altsaxophon

Harp

Christian McBride & Ursa Major

Christian McBride is an eleven-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. Additionally, he&#x27;s also artistic director, a respected educator and advocate for youth, and radio host. Whether behind the bass or away from it, Christian McBride is always part of the music. From jazz to R&amp;B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship – and perhaps the hint of a challenge – inviting us to join him. Although he has performed with fellow giants Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade in recent years, McBride started thinking about forming a new group as early as 2018. &quot;I knew that at some point I wanted to have what I call an &#x27;all-in&#x27; band. As you know, I used to call my old band, the CMB, a hybrid band, which meant we could kind of go anywhere, musically.&quot; With this new quintet, he has a band that can combine different styles in one group. He continues, &quot;Oh, and I also specifically knew I wanted it to be a young band. So I started looking around and seeing who was out there, who I thought might be able to fit that sort of hybrid / all-in vibe.&quot; In Ursa Major, he is joined by four rising young master instrumentalists including saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris.

Saxophon

BaBa ZuLa

Moods & jazzhane present: 30th Anniversary Tour

Blending traditional instruments with electronics and retro Turkish sounds, BaBa ZuLa have created their own distinctive style: “Istanbul Psychedelia.” Deeply rooted in Anatolian traditions yet firmly grounded in the present, their music forms a vibrant bridge between past and present—and between the cultures of Istanbul. Since their formation in 1996, they have combined original compositions with intense improvisation, making each performance a unique experience. Led by Murat Ertel (electric saz, vocals, theremin) and Levent Akman (percussion, machines, objects), and joined by Ümit Adakale (darbuka), Esma Ertel (vocals, dance), as well as rotating bass and oud players, the band creates ritual-like shows that blur the line between concert and total artwork. BaBa ZuLa stand for a psychedelic form of Istanbul rock’n’roll—energetic, unpredictable, and shaped by the cultural richness of a city spanning Asia and Europe.

Dance

Derbouka

Santrofi

Santrofi are among the most exciting voices in Ghana’s contemporary Highlife scene. Hailing from Accra, the eight-piece band blends the rich traditions of West African Highlife with funk, Afrobeat, and a vibrant contemporary energy built for the dancefloor. Founded in 2019 by bassist and producer Emmanuel Kwadwo Ofori, Santrofi brings together some of Ghana’s most sought-after musicians – artists who have performed and recorded with legends such as Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, and AB Crentsil, while also remaining deeply connected to Ghana’s new generation of artists. Their acclaimed debut album Alewa (2020) introduced Santrofi to international audiences and led to performances at renowned festivals including WOMAD and Roskilde, as well as sold-out tours across Europe, Japan, and the United States. Driven by infectious percussion, rich horn arrangements, and powerful vocal harmonies, Santrofi’s live shows are an electrifying celebration of Highlife. With their latest album Making Moves, Santrofi enter a new chapter: deeply rooted in hypnotic Highlife rhythms while embracing funk, soul, and contemporary Afrobeat influences. Their music reflects life in Accra – stories of love, resilience, struggle, and the determination to keep moving forward.

Trombone

Leitung

Cowbel

Naïssam Jalal

Spirit Music Society & Moods present

Naïssam Jalal is a flautist, vocalist and composer, drawing inspiration from music that shares a diversity of relationships with the world and a profound spiritual dimension. Thanks to encounters, imaginations and memories, each new creation becomes a unique piece. Leading various bands and travel the world&#x27;s stage, Jalal has produced 9 albums, unveiling her personal musical universe with each, in turn giving her meaning to the word freedom. With &quot;Landscapes of Eternity&quot;, Jalal explores the fundamental connection between music, nature, and spirituality at the heart of the Hindustani tradition. Traveling alone in North India for several months, she journeyed through landscapes and sacred sites, met masters and musicians, and immersed herself in this singular experience, inviting us to discover a new way of listening to the world. From this immersion emerged an intimate, contemplative, and profound repertoire, where the flute becomes the vehicle for an inner journey rooted in the breath of all living things.

Composition

Frente Cumbiero

With a long and successful career, FRENTE CUMBIERO has become one of the biggest representatives in the exploration of cumbia’s sonic identity in Latin America. Headed by Colombian songwriter and producer Mario Galeano Toro (also founding member of Ondatrópica and Los Pirañas), Frente Cumbiero is recognized as a spearhead of Colombia’s new cumbia movement. Among Frente’s most remarkable live appearances they have played New York’s MoMA, Festival Estéreo Picnic, Roskilde Festival, Womad, Womadelaide, Womex, Sónar, and Fuji Rock. They have toured across Latin America, Africa, Europe, the U.S., Russia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. They have released vinyl records in the UK, the U.S., Spain, Japan and Mexico. Frente Cumbiero’s catalogue has had successful contributions with legendary musicians such as Mad Professor, the Kronos Quartet, Orquesta La Delio Valdez, and Minyo Crusaders, proving to expand the frontiers of cumbia and Latin folk music. As a live band, Frente Cumbiero performs in a quartet format, which focuses on delivering a powerhouse tropical sound to the dance floor by combining two wind instruments, live percussion and electronic sounds/dubbed sequences.

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 Frente Cumbiero ¡Fuego!

Euphonium

Sylvie Courvouisier, Ned Rothenberg, Nasheet Waits

Short Cuts

Saxophonist/clarinetist Ned Rothenberg, pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and drummer Nasheet Waits — three of New York City’s top improvisers for the past three decades — have convened to form Short Cuts, a collectively led trio informed by the progressive jazz tradition from Ornette to Zorn (not to mention modernist chamber music and cross-cultural approaches). With Short Cuts, abstraction is tempered by earthiness, in the time-honored New York way. Experimental textures meet rhythmic depth, harmonic sophistication abets free-flying lyricism; this all-improvised music grooves and it sings, swerving to avoid cliché all the while. “It feels so natural to improvise with Ned and Nasheet,” Courvoisier says. “They are such beautiful players, and they both love grooves, even in a freely improvised setting. Winds, piano, drums also make for a relatively uncommon trio, but not having a bass player gives Ned and I more room to play in the lower register, just as it gives Nasheet more freedom with his bass drum. And these guys love to take risks, like I do.”

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Sarah Chaksad

«Female Composers Series»

For over a decade, Swiss composer and alto and soprano saxophonist Sarah Chaksad has been a leading figure on the European jazz scene. Her trademark is her narrative, richly textured musical language, which combines compositional precision with great formal freedom. The international press hails her as an outstanding composer and arranger. Raised in a musical family, Chaksad discovered her passion for the saxophone and composition at an early age. She studied saxophone and music education at the Jazz Institute of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). She gained significant inspiration from international masterclasses and collaborations with musicians such as Guillermo Klein, Maria Schneider, Django Bates, and John Hollenbeck. In 2012, she founded the Sarah Chaksad Orchestra, with which she performed regularly on European stages for ten years and recorded the albums “Windmond” (2016) and “Tabriz” (2019, with Wolfgang Muthspiel). With the internationally cast Sarah Chaksad Large Ensemble, she released the album “Together” in 2023, which was praised by critics for its richness of timbre and musical depth. Chaksad is committed to the further development of the jazz scene. She directed the Jazzcampus Club Basel from 2015 to 2020, has co-led the international development program Focusyear with Wolfgang Muthspiel since 2016, and has been a co-director of the Institute of Jazz at the FHNW since 2025. She also co-founded the booking agency Esteam Music and the label Clap Your Hands.

Regie

Baritone Saxophone

Bassposaune

Waldhorn

Tuba

Nubiyan Twist

Expect ultra-tight musicianship and unstoppable energy as Nubiyan Twist bring their electrifying blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and dance music to the stage with abrand new line-up and live show for 2026. Known for their powerful big-band sound and uplifting live shows, the 9-piece collective fuse global grooves with UK jazz finesse, percussive fire and deep, infectious rhythm. Following their acclaimed collaborations with musical icons including Nile Rogers, Tony Allen, Seun Kuti and Fatoumata Diawara, the band continue to push boundaries uniting cultures, generations and genres through music that celebrates connection, freedom and groove. Formed in Leeds and now one of the UK’s most respected live acts, Nubiyan Twist have earned MOBO and AIM Award nominations, sold-out tours and praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, Jazzwise and Bandcamp Daily.

Momoko Gill

Fresh from her critically acclaimed collaboration Clay with Matthew Herbert, Momoko Gill steps forward in her own right for the first time with her remarkable debut solo album. She has long been one of the UK electronic and jazz scene’s best-kept secrets. A self-taught drummer, producer, songwriter, and vocalist, she has brought her unique touch to collaborations with Alabaster DePlume, Matthew Herbert, Coby Sey, Tirzah, and Nadeem Din-Gabisi (her musical foil in An Alien Called Harmony). But, with &quot;Momoko&quot;, she emerges into the spotlight with an album that is entirely her own. Throughout, you can hear the stylistic flavours of jazz musicians as much as singer-songwriters, experimental artists and electronic producers. Though Momoko Gill rejects imitation, sculpting her sound through feel and expression rather than tradition. Based in London and having grown up in Japan and the US, Gill channels her breadth of perspective through her musical ideas and storytelling, with a unique voice developed through instinct, collaboration and solitary study.

E-Bass

Daniel Erdmann's Thérapie de Couple

«I Wanna Hold Your Hand, François»

It’s time for a couple to settle their differences. The couple in question? France and Germany – The engine of Europe, which now and then finds itself in crisis. Daniel Erdmann knows both sides very well, the differences, the similarities, the possible misunderstandings, the psychology of the two countries making him the perfect counsellor. To help him, Daniel has put together a French-German sextet. Opting to work with a combination of those he already knows very well and having the security that comes with that and inviting completely new people who bring with them the desire and magic of uncertainty to spice things up. Don’t miss this chance to see this spellbinding ensemble of virtuoso players on their first ever visit to Zurich: the young French clarinettist Hélène Duret, currently touring France with her band Suzanne, hi-energy drummer Eva Klesse and bassist Robert Lucaciu, two established greats of the German jazz scene, and the phenomenal expressive talents of French string soloists Théo Ceccaldi and Vincent Courtois.

Bobby Sparks II

Bobby Sparks II is a Grammy Award winning musician and producer steeped in gospel, funk, jazz and blues. He is a key architect behind Snarky Puppy’s signature sound and toured with musical giants including Prince, Marcus Miller, George Benson, Nancy Wilson and Natalie Cole among others. He was also as a core member of Roy Hargrove’s band &quot;The RH Factor&quot;. In a monumental display of his immense musical talent, his latest album &quot;Paranoia&quot; sees Sparks orchestrate a two hour funk opera that masterfully fuses funk, rock, soul, and jazz into a singular, sprawling vision. It is an epic and celebratory sonic journey, brought to life with the help of a stellar lineup of guest musicians, that represents the culmination of his lifelong musical experience. Known for his love for vintage keyboards – from the Hammond B-3, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes to the Mini-Moog and Prophet-5 – Sparks blends analog character with deep pocket funk and electrifying improvisation, making him one of the most versatile and in-demand keyboardists of his generation.

jazzhane & Moods present

Oum first studied architecture before turning to music and becoming a true builder of songs. Her foundations lie in the complex rhythms of Morocco; her structures are melodies of rare sensuality; her voice—both powerful and gentle—is the living material of her art. Even as she draws on the languages of jazz, soul, and North African trance, Oum resists all categorization. Her music belongs to a singular artist—free and universal. A committed voice, she stands for freedom, the rights of women and minorities, and for an ecological and humanistic vision of the world. As a UNAIDS ambassador, she transforms her art into a space of resistance and sharing, where spirituality and poetry rise as vital forces. With Dialddar (“homemade”), Oum makes a radical gesture: composing an album without string or wind instruments, relying solely on voice and percussion. A choice that is both a technical challenge and an artistic manifesto. Most of the percussion instruments were handcrafted in Marrakech. Their tuning, sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, makes each recording fragile, alive, and constantly evolving. It is precisely this organic dimension that Oum sought to preserve: a music that breathes, that escapes control, and finds its truth in the moment.

True Loves

Listening to the abundant sounds of the Seattle-based funk &amp; soul group, True Loves, is like walking down a favorite neighborhood street, slapping five with friends, checking up with clerks in their stores, and smelling the familiar scents of your most cherished locale. The band is its own block party. ‌What began in 2014 as a jam session between three of the city’s best - drummer David McGraw, bassist Bryant Moore, and guitarist Jimmy James - has since blossomed into a global force that features percussionist Iván Galvez, trombonist Greg Kramer, and saxophonists Gordon Brown and Skerik. Together, the group’s live performances have garnered them much acclaim and millions of streams on YouTube. ‌In 2017, True Loves recorded their debut instrumental LP, Famous Last Words, which received worldwide adulation, earning them performances at coveted music festivals. In 2018, the group released the &quot;Dapper Derp/Kabuki&quot; 45&#x27; on WeCoast Records followed by 2019&#x27;s Colemine Records &quot;Famous Last Words/Mary Pop Poppins&quot; 45 single. The band released their sophomore album &quot;Sunday Afternoon&quot; in 2021, on Color Red Music. 2024 saw the band release their latest &quot;Good Weed and Red Wine&quot; followed by their second European tour. A second single, &quot;Dopus No. 1&quot; was released in January 2025 with a vinyl 7&quot; release of both songs on Valentine&#x27;s day.

Lakecia Benjamin

«We Dream»

Lakecia Benjamin approaches her music and performances with a take-no-prisoners attitude. After primarily performing as an accompanist for artists such as Alicia Keys, Missy Elliot, Gregory Porter and Theo Croker, she introduced the world to her own voice. While her first two studio albums leaned into jazz-funk and soul, in 2020 she referenced her bebop and spiritual influences with &quot;Pursuance: The Coltranes&quot;, an album that brought together several generations of the genre’s luminaries, including greats such as Marcus Strickland, Brandee Younger, Reginald Workman, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her 2023 album “Phoenix” is a double metaphor. Lakecia Benjamin refers to the New York City she grew up in and watched slowly die during the pandemic and then come back to life. But it is also a personal reference to the death which she miraculously escapes from in the Fall of 2021 following a serious car accident. This new opus is also an opportunity to highlight her own compositions as well as the creativity, talent and commitment of the female artists she surrounds herself with. “Phoenix”, which earned her three Grammy nominations, marks yet another stratospheric rise for an artist who resolutely knows what she wants to say and how to say it, all the while honoring her mentors and the traditions that have come before her. Her newest album, &quot;We Dream&quot; is expected to be released early June 2026 on Artwork Records (PiAS).

Robert Lucaciu Fallen Crooner

The German-Romanian double bassist and composer Robert Lucaciu (1988) deconstructs his own (cis-)male self-understanding in his latest project Fallen Crooner and invites musicians Laura Totenhagen, Pascal Klewer, Shannon Barnett, Sofía Salvo, and Moritz Baumgärtner to engage in a joyful discourse on gender roles. In a montage of Lucaciu&#x27;s original compositions, well-known songs, and text sequences from various authors, free improvisation plays a central role—questioning the moment with an open outcome. This creates a musical discussion whose strength lies in living the questions in all their intensity and dissolving the urgency for quick answers with a sense of goodwill. Each musician is allowed to celebrate their own diversity and savour all the nuances their instrument has to offer. Individual narratives are reduced to their essence by the ensemble and reassembled in an intense dialogue. Moods and the renowned Swiss jazz label UNIT Records join forces with &quot;UNIT live!&quot; to share the diversity of UNIT jazz. We will be showcasing the diversity of UNIT jazz by bringing the latest releases from the UNIT universe to the Moods stage at regular intervals.

Chico Chico

Adalu & Moods present

Singer-songwriter Chico Chico is one of the most powerful and authentic voices of a new generation of Brazilian musicians. Since the start of his career with the band 2x0 Vargem Alta (2015), he has produced numerous acclaimed works, including his song “A Cidade” (nominated for a Latin Grammy), his collaboration with Fran Gil (over 23 million streams on Spotify), and his album “Pomares” (nominated for a Latin Grammy). As the son of the legendary Cássia Eller, Chico honors his family’s legacy while simultaneously building his own musical career, marked by collaborations with Maria Bethânia, Nando Reis, and Zé Ramalho. At the LusoSonic Festival at Moods, Chico Chico will present his new album “Let It Burn – Deixa Arder”—an intense, multifaceted work that reflects his artistic range and brings together a wide variety of influences. Moving between romantic, intimate moments and powerful, genre-spanning songs, he traverses blues, folk, Brazilian rhythms, gospel, and milonga. Original compositions meet reinterpreted classics, while Pedro Fonseca’s production and collaborations with renowned musicians lend the work additional depth. The album reflects Chico Chico’s current artistic identity—raw, multifaceted, and expressive.

Tony Momrelle

A Soulful Christmas

Tony Momrelle is one of the most exciting and significant soul musicians on the modern British stage. In a career spanning over 20 years, he has performed with some of the greatest artists in the world: Incognito, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Sade, Gary Barlow, Andrea Bocelli, Gwen Stefani, Robert Palmer and many more. In Autumn 2016 he supported the legendary Earth, Wind &amp; Fire on their sold-out UK tour. Momrelle was lead male vocalist of the famous British Acid-jazz band Incognito for more than sixteen years before launching his solo career in 2015. Channelling Hathaway, Wonder and countless other sounds, styles and ideas through his authentic, thoroughly contemporary interpretation of what British soul music actually means today, Tony creates an infectious mingling of eighties-inspired synths, jazzy keys, classic piano and soaring soul vocals.

Tania Giannouli & Nils Petter Molvær

The Athens-born pianist and composer, hailed by DownBeat magazine as a blend of ‘thunder and elegance’, joins forces in this new duo with Nils Petter Molvær, the Norwegian master of atmospheric ambient sounds. Tania Giannouli, classically trained and skilled in experimental playing techniques, explores the sonic spectrum of the grand piano with great sensitivity – from subtle resonances to unusual textures. Molvær expands this soundscape with trumpet, breath, space and electronics, which have been a central element of his work since his groundbreaking album &quot;Khmer&quot;. Together, they create an immersive soundscape that takes the audience on a musical journey through a rugged yet poetic natural world of great depth and beauty. Or, as one Korean magazine puts it: this music invites the listener to dream of eternity.

The Next Movement

Karma Dojo Tour 

The Next Movement have established themselves as one of Europe’s most exciting and tightest funk bands, combining the energy of six musicians with just three members. Their electrifying performances blend neo-soul, funk and R&amp;B into an energetic, irresistible musical force – delivered with humour, talent and pure groove. Their shows have already rocked major stages such as the Leverkusen Jazz Days (Rockpalast WDR), the Black Sea Jazz Festival (Georgia) and the Enclave de Agua in Spain, as well as renowned clubs such as the Blue Note (Milan), Porgy &amp; Bess (Vienna) and our very own Moods here in Zurich. Get ready to groove, sweat and dance! The Next Movement are taking their explosive funk-neo-soul live show to a whole new level in 2026 and kicking off their biggest tour yet to coincide with the release of their new album in October 2026! With their unmistakable blend of deep groove, virtuoso musicianship and infectious positive energy, this electrifying trio is set to conquer stages and festivals across Europe and beyond.

Sampler

Synthesizer

An Evening with Jools Holland with Special Guest Ruby Turner

With his BBC show “Later… with Jools Holland,” TV star, pianist, and bandleader Jools Holland has been hosting Europe’s most iconic music show since 1992. From Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran, and Adele to Bono, Pearl Jam, and B.B. King: they’ve all appeared on his show. In June 2003, he was even awarded the “Order of the British Empire” by Queen Elizabeth II for his work. Jools Holland rose to fame in 1974 with the new wave band Squeeze; today, he tours regularly with his own boogie-woogie program. He is accompanied by his longtime bassist Dave Swift, Ed Richardson on drums, the Queen of Boogie-Woogie Ruby Turner, and other singers.

Moods is reached via the main entrance of the Schiffbau at Schiffbauplatz. We recommend arriving by public transport (streetcar 51 or 8 / bus 72, 83 or 33 to Schiffbau; S-Bahn to Hardbrücke station and from there approx. 5 minutes on foot).
Parking spaces are available under Hardbrücke and in the Pfingstweid-/Hardstrasse parking garage.

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".

An overview of all events since 1992? Oh yes there is. And that is in our archive. 