Christmas and jazz - it's a tradition. And so are the Swingin' Christmas concerts by Raphael Jost and his band, which have been a firm fixture of the festive season for many people for over 10 years and ensure sold-out halls. Raphael Jost is that rarest of birds, the British saxophonist Will Vinson, who lives in New York, once said. A singer and songwriter with a great voice and at the same time a pianist whose skills enable him to share the stage with the best. Jost, who has already won the Swiss Jazz Award for his debut album, sees himself as a modern crooner. He leads through the evening with humor and without too much kitsch. Swinging classics such as Let It Snow and Winter Wonderland are joined by his own songs, JingleBells gets a pinch of Brad Mehldau and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer becomes a sleigh ride to New Orleans. The program leaves plenty of room for solos and at the same time impresses with sophisticated and original arrangements.
Singer Stefanie Suhner combines jazz and soul in her magnificent voice and has already toured with Udo Jürgens and Pepe Lienhard, among others. The horn section features the two outstanding soloists Bastien Rieser on trumpet and Christoph Grab on tenor sax. Jost's long-time companion Raphael Walser on double bass and the renowned drummer Elmar Frey form the rhythm section. The six musicians are united by their irrepressible joy of playing and their love of the jazz tradition. They inspire the audience with a lot of energy, groove and lively interplay - and ensure a swinging Christmas.