Berther / Mello / Sartorius / Koch

Sartorius / Koch

Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems II

Julian Sartorius and Luca Pilu Koch will open the second evening of worldbuzzpoems. Drums and voice. Two of the most archaic instruments of all. Skin. Air. Wood. Body. Julian Sartorius makes the drums speak, crackle, roll, and tremble. Luca Pilu Koch writes and recites poems about movements beneath the surface. About pressure. About closeness. About what can barely find a place in language. Rhythm meets breath. Words meet resonance.

Carte Blanche artists Marina Mello and Luca Koch have assembled bands for their worldbuzzpoems that improvise with a fresh, urgent, and powerful energy. Martina Berther lays down bass lines that shift, tremble, and suddenly vanish. Julian Sartorius approaches the drums not in terms of measures, but in terms of movements, friction, and leaps. Marina Mello weaves threads through the space with her harp – delicate yet unyielding at the same time. Luca Pilu Koch layers voices, sounds, and colors on top of one another until language becomes sound and sound becomes language. There’s rustling, crackling, humming, and growing. Individual elements become landscapes. Impulses become songs. Two days of controlled loss of control.

Vocals

Harp

E-Bass

Drum Kit

Mello / Koch

Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems I

Two days of improvised music and poetry. Marina Mello’s harp screeches. Luca Koch writes poems about bubbling, humming, and trembling. About pressure. About heat. About movements beneath the surface. We seem to be living in a giant pressure cooker. It’s getting hotter. The pressure is rising. Don’t let anyone lift the lid. So let’s let off some steam. In sound. In language. In air turbulence and sound waves. Carte Blanche artists Marina Mello and Luca Koch have put together two bands for this event that improvise in a fresh, urgent, and powerful way. They grab hold of the words, drive them forward, break them down, and carry them onward. The poems buzz. The music responds. We all hum along. Songs of sound clouds accumulate. It hisses, crackles, throbs, and pushes its way through the room. Fragments gather, condense, and dissolve again. No lid. No valve. Just two days of controlled loss of control.

Mayas / Mello / Voutchkova / Koch

Carte Blanche artists Marina Mello and Luca Koch have assembled bands for their worldbuzzpoems that improvise with freshness, urgency, and power. Magda Mayas is a poet of piano keys and strings. Biliana Voutchkova draws an entire orchestra from her violin. Marina Mello’s harp enchants from the ears down to the pit of the stomach, while Luca Pilu Koch paints with every shade of the human voice. Together, they reach for words, propel them forward, take them apart, and carry them onward. The music buzzes. The poems catch the waves. We all hum along. Sound-cloud-songs accumulate. They hiss, crackle, pulse, and move through the room. Fragments gather, condense, and dissolve again. No lid. No valve. Just two days of controlled loss of control.

Sylvie Courvoisier, 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.”

Piano

Clarinet

Altsaxophon

Frente Cumbiero für Famillien

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. 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.

Electronics

Leitung

Saxophon

Euphonium

Percussion

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 (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 Frente Cumbiero ¡Fuego!

Red Bull Dance Your Style

The Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final is coming to Zurich on 24 October 2026, and the city will become a hub for the international street dance scene as early as the week before. As part of Dance Week, the Schiffbau in Zurich will host a diverse programme centred on street dance, including side events for the community and anyone interested, as well as the pre-finals, which will bring the week to a close. National winners from many countries will compete in exciting 1-on-1 freestyle battles for the final places in the grand finale at the Hallenstadion. For more information on the programme and tickets, visit https://www.redbull.com/ch-de/events/red-bull-dance-your-style-world-final-2026-zurich/dance-your-style-dance-week

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.

Flute

Composition

Tanpura

Elec. Tap Dance

Klaus Koenig Jazz Live Trio

90 Jahre Koenig

Klaus Koenig worked as a sound engineer at Radio Studio Zurich starting in the 1960s and founded the legendary Jazz Live Trio with Peter Frei and Peter Schmidlin. As part of this group, he accompanied soloists such as Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, and many others in over 100 live broadcasts. After a 15-year hiatus due to illness and a cautious return, the Jazz Live Trio celebrated its comeback in 2012 with new, young musicians. Speaking of celebrations: This evening is dedicated entirely to Klaus Koenig’s 90th birthday. Moods extends its warmest congratulations! To celebrate this birthday, Klaus Koenig will be performing twice: first with the Jazz Live Trio, and then with his quintet Seven Things. The Jazz Live Trio’s latest CD &quot;Autumn Girl&quot; was released just in 2025, and their next album &quot;Songs without Words&quot; is coming out soon – and Klaus Koenig has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Klaus Koenig Seven Things

After a tentative start with the rejuvenated Jazz Live Trio, the group expanded to include two wind players. This led to the formation of the quintet Seven Things in 2013. Their fifth album &quot;An Homage to Celia&quot; was launched on Klaus Koenig’s 88th birthday at Moods in Zurich and received five stars in both Jazz’N’More and the Austrian magazine Concerto. The album &quot;Past and Presence&quot; will be released in the summer of 2026. the music was composed by Klaus Koenig himself and will be launched at Moods on the occasion of his 90th birthday. 

Bass

Album Release «Schatzcharte»

Since the early days of Switzerland’s hip-hop culture in the 1980s, EKR has been one of its defining figures. As a rapper, breakdancer, DJ, producer, graphic designer and songwriter, he has not only witnessed the scene’s evolution but actively helped shape it. Over four decades, he has remained true to his own compass, guided by a keen sense of language, integrity and flow. While trends have come and gone, EKR has continued to refine his distinctive style, establishing himself as one of the most consistent and credible voices in Swiss hip-hop. With «Schatzcharte», EKR laces up his Timberlands and walks straight through the noise of our times. Between algorithms and everyday life, streaming and the search for meaning, dopamine hits and constant distraction, he poses an uncomfortable question: what remains when we put our phones down and start thinking for ourselves? Co-produced and mixed by KWEST, «Schatzcharte» is a classic boom-bap album with a clear sense of purpose – dusty drums, warm samples and lyrics that aim to leave a mark rather than chase the latest trend. Ten tracks that don’t preach, but invite reflection. The treasure is not waiting at the end of the album. It begins the moment you start digging for it yourself.

DJ Enzout (Krazy Dawg Sound Jamaica)

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, DJ Enzout is now based in Zurich and performs as a selector with the Krazydawg Sound System across Switzerland and beyond. EKR and Enzout have shared a long-standing musical connection rooted in positivity and conscious music. Enzout also joined EKR’s most recent tour as his main DJ.

Keyboards

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.

Jah Melody

Born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, Jah Melody, aka Angle Baye Fall, has been immersed in urban music, reggae, dancehall, dub and African grooves for the past 25 years as a dedicated collector and selector. Based in Zurich since 2006, he has spun records at venues such as Kasheme, Bar 3000, Der Kern, Rote Fabrik and Gotthard Bar, as well as at festivals and sound system events including Reeds and Rundfunk.

Guitar

Trombone

Trumpet

Dance

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.

Yunus Findus

Warm Up & Cool Down

Yunus Findus is a booker, curator, radio host and DJ based in Zurich, built on mixed traditions, sounds and rhythms from an early age. His mixed background has led him to build bridges and weave influences throughout the music he shares. After several years as booker with Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz, he has been responsible for the program at Moods Zurich. As well as being co-founder of the collectives Beach Club Underground and Half Notes at the Smoke Floor, he has also recently started a monthly residency on local radio station GDS.FM. His sole wish is to share music with people.

Theremin

Derbouka

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Streaming

Over 700 video-on-demand and 40 live streams per year from jazz, global, blues, funk, soul and rap await you. Curated with playlists and recommendations from our program team. In addition, 70% of the subscription revenue goes directly to the musicians. With a subscription you support the artists and this project.