Alle

Electronic / Party

Experimental

Global Sounds

Jazz

Jazz Experimental

Jazz Modern Creative

Pop / Rock / Singer / Songwriter

Rap / R'n'B

Rap / R'n'B / Brass

Soul / Blues / Funk

20261020_naissam_jalal

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Sarah Chaksad

Regie

Composition

Altsaxophon

Tenorsaxophon

Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet

Leitung

Trombone

Bassposaune

Waldhorn

Tuba

Guitar

Piano

Bass

Drum Kit

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.

François Lindemann-Alvin Queen Sextet

Saxophon

feat. Eddie Henderson, Greg Osby, Robin Eubanks and Heiri Känzig

Sometimes there are fabulous bands, sometimes there are fabulous musicians. With this unique line-up, both are true, and one can confidently use superlatives. Each one would be worth a visit on their own, but seeing all these legends together on the same stage is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is sure to set jazz fans’ hearts racing. In addition to their own projects as bandleaders, most of them have served as sidemen for greats such as Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Carla Bley, Woody Shaw and Oscar Peterson. Now trumpeter Henderson, saxophonist Bartz, trombonist Eubanks and bassist Känzig are reuniting under the leadership of François Lindemann on piano and Alvin Queen on drums for a special reunion. Together, they pay tribute to the grand masters John Coltrane and Miles Davis, who would have celebrated their 100th birthdays this year. In doing so, they do not play the music of these two giants, but follow their example and approach to inventiveness and creativity. This unique concert by living legends will be a tribute to Davis’s and Coltrane’s aesthetic and to what the two have given to jazz.

Lakecia Benjamin

Kontrabass

«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; was released early June 2026 on Artwork Records (PiAS).

Dele Sosimi

Vocals

Keyboards

Percussion

Dele Sosimi has been at the heart of the global Afrobeat scene since relocating to the UK in December 1995. Having started his musical career with Fela Kuti’s legendary band Egypt 80 in his teens, he teamed up with childhood friend Femi Kuti to kick start the Positive Force – touring, recording and performing worldwide. Over forty years later, he remains a tireless ambassador for the unique musical movement all over the world. His blend of complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music, African percussion and an underlying sense of jazz combines with his virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing to make him one of the most respected Afrobeat authorities of his era. Hackney-born and UK-based Dele has performed all over the planet, from Montreux Jazz Festival to Mawazine Festival in Rabat Morrocco; Ollin Khan in Mexico, South Korea and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. His pioneering musicality has spawned collaborations with a dizzying array of artists, spawning an impressive discography, ranging from his solo album &quot;You No Fit Touch Am&quot; to 2024’s &quot;The Confluence LP&quot; with Estuary 21.

Zurich Jazz Orchestra

«Greetings From New York»

For over 60 years, a big band has performed every Monday night at the renowned New York jazz club, the Village Vanguard. Originally known as the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the group now performs as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Over the decades, the band&#x27;s most important composers and arrangers have included Thad Jones himself, as well as legendary figures such as Bob Brookmeyer, Michael Abene and Jim McNeely. This pioneering group of musicians inspires everyone around the world who composes for or performs with big bands. For fans, visiting the Village Vanguard at 178 Seventh Avenue South (corner of Waverly Place) in Greenwich Village on a Monday evening is just as essential as visiting Times Square during a trip to New York. However, you can also experience the best of this music on this side of the Atlantic at Zurich&#x27;s own legendary jazz club, Moods, thanks to the Zurich Jazz Orchestra.

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.

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".

Naïssam Jalal

Flute

Tanpura

Elec. Tap Dance

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.

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Thomas Gansch

Flugelhorn

Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Harp

100 Jahre Miles Davis

To celebrate the centenary of Miles Davis&#x27; birth, the Zurich Jazz Orchestra performs a selection of pieces written by Gil Evans for Miles Davis and found on the legendary albums Sketches of Spain, Miles Ahead, Porgy &amp; Bess and Quiet Nights. The program is a true best of program, with highlights from each album performed by the original line-up and featuring the incomparable Thomas Gansch as soloist. The program will also include the final part of Ed Partyka&#x27;s composition for the ZJO&#x27;s 30th anniversary, orchestrated for the expanded line-up by Gil Evans and rarely heard in traditional big band music. This concert will end our 2025-2026 Mood Concerts on a high, showcasing yet another facet of the Zurich Jazz Orchestra&#x27;s stylistic breadth and depth.

Stella & The Longos

«Amour Propre»

Following the acclaimed 2022 release &quot;Détends-Toi&quot;, the first electrifying collaboration between lead singer Stella Zekri and producer Ed Longo, &quot;Amour Propre&quot; crowns two years of relentless touring, growth, and evolution. On the road, the duo forged a powerful live ensemble of Berlin’s finest musicians. That synergy now explodes onto record, expanding Stella &amp; The Longos’ sound into something more organic, daring, and deeply alive. On &quot;Amour Propre&quot;, Stella’s sultry, magnetic voice weaves through lush layers of live drums and percussion, funky guitar riffs, shimmering keyboards, intricate brass lines, and the unmistakable hi-fi production flair of Ed Longo. The rhythms oscillate in a melting pot of musical styles, where Afro-Caribbean influences overlap with vintage boogie beats and quelching synths flirt with smoky Parisian midnight moods. Stella’s voice remains the heart of it all, sensual, husky, and brimming with raw emotion. Her lyrics explore love, longing, and reflection, while also capturing moments of dancefloor euphoria and universal connection. With The Longos as her powerhouse backing band, every track radiates the energy of a live performance: intimate, enchanting, and unforgettable. Not only does Stella lead this band as vocalist, she can also be found behind the DJ decks spinning vinyl as Stella Zekri. For fans of Asha Puthli, Nu Genea and Kassav. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Fred Wesley Generations Trio

Hammond organ

Fred Wesley wrote funk history alongside James Brown and George Clinton, serving as one of the genre&#x27;s architects. Now, he is starting a new chapter that connects him with his jazz roots and an exciting future: Generations. Generations is a versatile trio featuring Wesley on trombone, Leonardo Corradi on organ, and Tony Match on drums. The three musicians originally came together to pay tribute to legendary organist Jimmy Smith&#x27;s soulful jazz — and immediately found a musical chemistry that has kept them performing together to this day. However, the trio doesn&#x27;t limit itself to jazz. They groove through rap, soul, and funk together, creating a sound that is as versatile as it is rousing. Together, they elevate their groove and bring the rhythm to life.

Mammal Hands

Sometimes meditative, sometimes cinematic, with rhythmic elements that evolve, complement each other and develop into a driving maelstrom: Mammal Hands play a driving fusion of jazz and electronica that never loses its accessibility despite its complexity. On the contrary, the trio&#x27;s energetic live performances can put you in an almost trance-like state. The band is now on the road with their fifth album &quot;Gift from the Trees&quot; (2023) - a must for all fans of Portico Quartet, Gogo Penguin or Grandbrothers.

Rachel Z feat. Omar Hakim & Jonathan Toscano

&quot;Sensual&quot; is an album that pushes the boundaries of contemporary music, blending elements of jazz, rock, folk, and world music to create a truly unique and captivating sound. Rachel Z, a virtuoso pianist known for her expressive playing and innovative compositions, takes the lead in crafting the album&#x27;s healing melodic mantras and harmonies. On her release tour she will be accompanied by Omar Hakim and Jonathan Toscano. Omar is a legendary drummer with a career spanning over four decades, brings his unparalleled rhythmic expertise to the project. His dynamic and versatile drumming style adds a layer of depth and intensity to each track, creating a captivating groove. Jonathan is a talented bassist known for his melodic and intricate bass lines, complements the ensemble with his impeccable sense of timing and musicality. His contributions add a rich and vibrant texture to the album, enhancing the overall sonic experience. Together, Rachel Z, Omar Hakim, and Jonathan Toscano create a musical synergy that is reflective of the their 10 year friendship. Their collaborative efforts on &quot;Sensual&quot; result in a collection of songs that are sensual, evocative, and deeply moving. From intimate ballads to infectious grooves, each track takes you on a sonic journey that will awaken your senses. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Orchestra Baobab

Timbales

Congas

Moods Summer Special

Last year, Orchestra Baobab, one of Africa&#x27;s greatest bands, celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its story begins in the heart of Dakar&#x27;s medina in Senegal in the late 1960s and stretches around the world and into the 21st century. The group of singers and musicians from all over the continent play a mixture of Afro and Latin American styles, international pop and traditional griot music. After last year&#x27;s sold-out concert, the band returns to Moods this August. Before and after the concert, DJs Afreekaya &amp; Voilà Tim will be spinning some tunes.

Asmâa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou

Guembri

Qraqeb

Asmâa Hamzaoui and Bnat Timbouktou (the daughters of Timbuktu) represent a new generation of young women Gnawa performers, breaking new ground in a traditionally patriarchal realm. Asmâa Hamzaoui assimilated the Gnawa musical tradition from a young age through her father, renowned musician Rachid Hamzaoui, learning to play the guembri (three-string lute) from an early age and later accompanying him at celebrations. She formed Bnat Timbuktu in 2012, gradually winning over audiences, until their breakthrough invitation to the Gnaoua Festival of Essaouira in 2017. Their taboo-busting performance, and jamming with Fatoumata Diawara, won them invitations to major festivals in Europe and the USA, even without a recording to their name. Asmâa still comes up against opposition from some Gnawa traditionalists but as she says: “They can talk, but here I am working and they’re just talking.” This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Antibalas

Those who like Afrobeats à la Fela Kuti should not miss this concert by the Antibalas Collective. Founded in Brooklyn twenty years ago, meanwhile the band has acquired an excellent reputation, not least due to its participation in the musical «FELA!». Those that have experienced the Antibalas Collective live also know why: here rhythmical horn passages are tightly woven with intoxicating percussion until an incomparable dense and groovy sound tapestry is created. Thus the band functions as a large rhythm machine, which captures the attention of every listener.

Korhan Futacı

Korhan Futacı is one of the leading figures in Turkey&#x27;s alternative music scene. When he puts his lips to the mouthpiece of his saxophone, a transcendent ritual begins. His concerts transport audiences from the chaos of the big city to a realm of unknown vitality and darkness. It is a place where traditional Turkish music and free improvisation converge. The boundary between the historical avant-garde and the Mediterranean avant-garde becomes blurred. A look at his collaborations also reveals that Korhan Futacı is a true great. Through his versatile artistic expression, he has collaborated with renowned musicians from diverse genres, including avant-garde icons such as Peter Brötzmann, Marshall Allen, Thurston Moore, Ken Vandermark, and William Parker.

Dumama

Fender-Rhodes E-Piano

Kay Zhang – ANCESTRAL ROOTS

ANCESTRAL ROOTS invites people to a celebration that honors heritage and culture, living in and through the diaspora, and third culture identities through sound, storytelling or chanting, making the invitation wide, vibrant and inclusive. South African musician, sonic poet, and cultural researcher Gugulethu Duma (aka Dumama) criticizes and deconstructs archaic modes of representation of South African sonic and performance culture. As a storyteller and lyricist she weaves together childhood songs, stories and personal memories with electronic hues and gestures, experimenting with the divide between traditional oral culture and futuristic, globally oriented poetics in her embodiment of an African technological consciousness. For her performances and recordings, she predominantly works with voice, uHadi (a traditional Xhosa bow instrument), live vocal effected loops, processors, field recordings and distortions. This event was co-curated by Tracy September. Tracy September is a musician, performer, and music researcher born in South Africa and based in Zürich. Drawing from jazz, traditional Xhosa singing, and electronic experimentation, her work explores memory, spirit, and protest through improvisation. Tracy weaves voice, electronics, texts, archives, and field recordings into storytelling rooted in ritual and community. She also composes for film, theatre, and dance, performs with the band Black Pitch, and DJs under the alias youngseptember.

Chip Wickham

Chip Wickham is a crossover artist between club culture and jazz, influenced by early collaborations with The Pharcyde, Nightmares on Wax and Matthew Halsall. His music thrives on emotional clarity, playful openness and stylistic diversity - carried by flute, saxophone and a top-class ensemble from the British jazz scene. At Moods, Wickham presents his new album The Eternal Now (2025, Gondwana Records), a homage to the creative moment beyond time - a journey into new sonic spaces with borrowings from Lonnie Liston Smith or David Axelrod. Co-produced by Matthew Halsall, it is Wickham&#x27;s most experimental work to date - an album that impresses with its playfulness, emotional depth and musical breadth.

Monobloco

Cavaquinho

Snare Drum

Tamburin

Surdo

Adalu & Moods present

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 passion. The anniversary is being celebrated under the motto Nossa História 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.

Muriel Grossmann Quartet

Album Release «Breakthrough»

Muriel Grossmann is considered a master of spiritual jazz and has created impressive works with albums such as Devotion (Third Man Records, 2023) and The Light Of the Mind (RR Gems Records, 2024). The Ibiza-based multi-instrumentalist interweaves modal jazz in the tradition of John Coltrane with spiritual post-bop, free improvisation and sonic depth. Her compositions are tailor-made for her fellow musicians and impressively showcase their individual strengths. Grossmann creates a dense, meditative atmosphere on stage, as can be heard most recently on the live album MGQ live at King Georg, Cologne. At Moods, the quartet will present their latest album Breaktrough, which will be released at the end of September 2025 - and prove that they play even more vividly live than in the studio. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Annie & The Caldwells

E-Gitarre

E-Bass

Annie Caldwell prefers to make music with her loved ones. When she&#x27;s not touring with her brothers as the Staple Jr. Singers, she preaches soul from West Point, Mississippi, with Annie and the Caldwells. This band is also a family affair. Vocals are provided by her, along with her two daughters, Deborah and Anjessica, and her goddaughter, Toni Rivers. Annie&#x27;s husband Joe plays the guitar; her eldest son, Willie Jr, plays the bass; and her youngest son, Abel Aquirius, plays the drums. As a family band, it&#x27;s only natural that their story — and their music — reflects their real lives. The band&#x27;s real-life experiences as a female-led, multigenerational family are at the heart of their music. Memories of the birth of a daughter or a brother&#x27;s recovery from illness lead to transcendent moments on stage — moments that won over former Talking Heads mastermind David Byrne. The band released their latest album, Can&#x27;t Lose My Soul, on Byrne&#x27;s label, Luaka Bop. The Caldwells seem to be making an impression in general. Mojo magazine calls them the most exciting and dynamic family of faith imaginable. If you don&#x27;t believe it, let the family of musicians convert you at Moods.

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, Peter Erskine and Wolfgang Puschnig pay their respects to Gansch and play together with Michael Hornek, Albert Wieder, Florian Trübsbach, Fabian Rucker, Robert Hedemann - and of course the birthday boy himself. This concert was made possible in cooperation with JAM MUSIC LAB University. Thomas Gansch is professor, Peter Erskine and Randy Brecker are guest artists at JAM University. The concert is sold out; there will be no box office sales.

Mark Guiliana plays MARK

Ever since the first day he picked up a pair of drumsticks, Mark Guiliana has been instinctively exploring and absorbing the music and rhythms that have been ever-present in his life. Fast forward to the present day and he has earned a formidable reputation as a world-class drummer, composer and thinker at the forefront of contemporary jazz and beyond. Guiliana’s artistry defies convention, weaving together a musical output beyond jazz with the ultimate goal of creating compelling musical narratives. Guiliana’s new album “MARK”, represents an introspective voyage into his creative depths. On the record, Mark performs solo on a wide array of devices; you can hear his quintessential grooves intermixed with intriguing percussive soundscapes, sublime tapestries of synthesisers and fragments of spoken word. “MARK” is an album that peels back the layers of Guiliana’s experiences, reflections, and the wisdom gleaned from a life immersed in music. It transcends genres and defies categorisation, floating in the boundless space of pure expression. Through music and through life, Mark looks into the mirror and asks eternal questions of identity and growth: who am I, where am I going and what do I stand for?

BIG ZIS & BIG HUG EXPERIENCE

Electronics

Synthesizer

BIG ZIS & BIG HUG EXPERIENCE

Album Release «Big Hug»

With Big Hug, the Swiss rap icon BIG ZIS is releasing a collaborative music project. Building on the previous album «B:I:G - Bitte in Gross» (2024), a new, independent but collaborative work was created in close collaboration with over 23 artists from different generations and scenes. Retrospective and visionary, the album combines rap, pop, punk, doom metal and even noise, breaking down any genre boundaries and thus making visible a polyphonic, resistant network of formative Tinfas* of the Swiss music scene. The DIY of BIG ZIS is contrasted with the Do-it-Together (DIT) of the Future. New forms of a resistant but pluralistic language for Swiss music will be tested. With orchestras and icons such as Radon, Les Reines Prochaines, Eto*, Fatima Moumouni, Ester Poly, Jessica Jurassica (and many more), the Moods stage will be stormed. It&#x27;s Takeover Time, It&#x27;s BIG HUG Time! Zurich rapper Big Zis has been shaking up the male-dominated Swiss rap game since the late 90s with her clever lyrics, funny punchlines and provocative attitude. She has recorded several albums, made an award-winning music video, performed on pretty much every Swiss stage from antifademo to high culture institutions and won the 2020 Swiss Music Prize and the 2021 Zurich Art Prize. Musically, she combines hip-hop with jazz, punk and improvisation in an eloquent yet danceable rebellion against long-outdated social norms and the patriarchal order, delivering an urgent, clever, humorous and provocative work that is unique in the Swiss music landscape. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Andreas Schaerer’s Hildegard Lernt Fliegen

Reeds

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.

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. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Elina Duni Trio feat. Rabih Abou-Khalil

Gesang

Flügelhorn

Jurykonzert

Die 1981 als Tochter einer Schriftstellerin und eines Regisseurs in der albanischen Hauptstadt Tirana geborene Elina Duni stand im Alter von nur funf Jahren erstmals auf einer Bühne. Seit ihren ersten musikalischen Schritten in Radio und Fernsehen hat sich viel getan: Heute ist Elina Duni ECM-Künstlerin und seit 2017 Preisträgerin des Schweizer Musikpreises. In diesem ZKB Jazzpreis Special trifft der Oud-Virtuose Rabih Abou-Khalil auf das Elina Duni Trio mit Marc Méan und Matthieu Michel. Eine einmalige Konstellation, die wohl so einige goldene Momente mit sich bringen wird. Das Konzert fand im Rahmen des ZKB Jazzpreis statt.

Musikalische Leitung

Trompete

Posaune

Gitarre

Schlagzeug

Die langjährige und sehr fruchtbare Partnerschaft zwischen Thomas Gansch und dem Zurich Jazz Orchestra wird auch dieses Jahr fortgesetzt. Neben Repertoire aus der Vergangenheit wird es auch neue Arrangements geben, die von Ed Partyka speziell für dieses Konzert geschrieben wurden und die Thomas Gansch als Komponisten und Multi-Instrumental-Solisten, aber auch als liebenswürdiges ‹Enfant terrible› präsentieren. Sicher ist, dass die wunderbaren Musiker*innen des ZJO für einige musikalische Überraschungen sorgen werden. Sicher ist auch: Band und Publikum werden einen unvergesslichen Abend erleben.

Zurich Jazz Orchestra Funk Night

Joseph Bowie’s Big Band Funk - The Legendary Music of Defunkt

Joseph Bowie ist der Bruder des Big-Band-Musikers Byron Bowie und des Mitbegründers des Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie. Joe selbst gründete 1978 die Punk-Funk-Jazz-Gruppe «Defunkt». Die Band veröffentlichte in den 1980er Jahren mehrere genreübergreifende Alben, und ihre Musik wurde als «einer der abenteuerlichsten Sounds des letzten Viertels des 20 Jahrhunderts» bezeichnet. In den letzten 20 Jahren hat Joe Bowie auch daran gearbeitet, diese Musik für Big Band zu adaptieren. Einer der Arrangeure, mit denen Joe seit 2011 zusammenarbeitet, ist Ed Partyka. Das ZJO freut sich auf einen energiegeladenen Abend mit tanzbaren Hits aus der langen Geschichte von «Defunkt».

Letztes Jahr feierte das Orchestra Baobab, eine der grössten Bands Afrikas, ihr 50-jähriges Bestehen. Ihre Geschichte beginnt im Herzen der Medina von Dakar im Senegal der späten 1960er Jahren und erstreckt sich über die ganze Welt und bis ins 21. Jahrhundert. Die Gruppe aus Sängern und Musikern vom ganzen Kontinent spielen eine Mischung aus afro-und lateinamerikanischen Stilen, internationalem Pop und traditioneller Griot-Musik. Nach dem ausverkauften Konzert vom letzten Jahr kehrt die Band diesen August zurück ins Moods. Vor und nach dem Konzert werden die beiden DJs Afreekaya &amp; Voilà Tim auflegen.

Schmidi Schmidhauser & The Hasta Luegos

Akkordeon

Abschiedskonzert

Welch ein Glück: Frau Schmidhauser ersteht eine Gitarre, findet jedoch nicht genug Zeit, um zu üben. Also übereignet sie das Instrument ihren Buben. Beat und Jürg machen nicht lange Federlesens und rocken los. Einige Zeit danach spielt Beat, inzwischen zum Schmidi gereift, mit 14 Jahren seinen ersten Gig. Heute, rund 1500 Konzerte und 46 Jährchen später, beglückt uns Schmidi zum letzten Mal live, denn – und zu unserem Bedauern – «es ist genug des Guten.» Er will sich fortan Dingen widmen, die in all den Jahren zu kurz gekommen sind und somit zwar nicht kürzertreten, aber breiter wirken. Unbeschreibliches hat Schmidi auf tausendundeiner Bühne erlebt, unterwegs mit «Stop the Shoppers», «HOT DC», «Los Hobos», «Chica Torpedo», «Traktorkestar», «Oso loco», mit Polo, Kuno, Endo, Büne, Sina, Lo &amp; Leduc – und immer wieder mit Jürg/Jiri, dem geliebten Brüetsch. Also dann: Bühne frei! Vor unseren Augen und Ohren schaltet Schmidi seinen Modus um: vom Künstlerleben zum Lebenskünstler.

Evelinn Trouble Orchestra

Violine

Bratsche

Cello

Evelinn Trouble

Ein Jahr nachdem ihr fünftes Studioalbum Album «Longing Fever» den ‹Indie Suisse Album Of The Year Award› abgeräumt hat, ist Evelinn Trouble mit ihrer Band wieder auf Tour. Evelinn Trouble, bekannt für ihre kreative Rastlosigkeit, ihre virtuose Stimme und ihr eigenwilliges Songwriting hat ihrer Diskografie mit «Longing Fever» ein aufregendes Pop-Werk hinzugefügt – ein Bruch mit ihrer Psychedelic-Ära und trotzdem unverkennbar Trouble. Ein spannendes Album, das Höhen und Tiefen mit Inbrunst durchläuft und von beatlesken Liebesliedern zu euphorischen Melodien reicht, die von verzerrtem Hip-Hop getragen werden. Unerwartet gesellen sich neu Klänge von Streichinstrumenten zum sonst dunklen Klanguniversum der Zürcher Sängerin: Ein Streichtrio erweitert die Band zum «Evelinn Trouble Orchestra». Diese Konzertaufnahme entstand mit Unterstützung des Migros-Kulturprozent.

Alina Amuri + Special Guests

Flöte

Perkussion

Sousaphon

Album Release im Moods

Alina Amuris Plattentaufe findet im Rahmen des Schiffbaufestes statt. Das Konzert ist gratis, wir bitten unsere Gäste aber über den Ticketlink einen Platz zu reservieren, um garantierten Einlass zu haben. Mit unterschiedlichen kulturellen Einflüssen sowie einer lebendigen und mutigen Botschaft gelingt es Alina Amuri, magische musikalische Momente zu kreieren. Die in der DR Kongo Kinshasa geborene und in der Schweiz aufgewachsene Sängerin und Multi-Instrumentalistin hat in den letzten zehn Jahren ihren eigenen, hausgemachten Stil zwischen Afro, Neo Soul und Trip Hop entwickelt. Eine unvergessliche Stimme trifft auf kongolesische Perkussionsfreude und überraschende Flöteneinlagen und setzt Kräfte frei, bei denen der Optimismus zurückkehrt und das Tanzen unausweichlich wird. Ein Sound, der ein neues Gefühl der Zusammengehörigkeit schafft und das Versprechen, dass alles gut werden wird. Alina Amuri verbindet in ihrer Musik Einflüsse aus Lauryn Hill, Nina Simone und Alicia Keys mit einem frischen, lebendigen Twist. Alina wurde schon für SRF 3 Best Talent ausgewählt, war schon für den wichtigsten Schweizer Musikpreis nominiert (Swiss Music Awards) und gewann mit ihrem letzten Album (Chasing Traces) den Swiss Live Talent Award. An diesem Konzert wird Alina Amuri ihr nächstes Studioalbum «Back To You» vorstellen. Es ist die bisher persönlichste Platte und erzählt von ihrer Reise zurück in ihre Geburtsstadt Kinshasa, zurück zu ihren familiären Wurzeln.

Yarima Blanco Y Son Latino

Tres

Yarima Blanco ist eine herausragende Tres-Cubano-Spielerin und eine der wenigen ausserhalb Kubas, die dieses einzigartige dreisaitige Instrument beherrschen. Mit ihrem eigenen Septett Son Latino verbindet sie verschiedene kubanische Stile mit lateinamerikanischen Einflüssen. Ihre mitreissenden Auftritte zeigen nicht nur ihre beeindruckende Technik auf der Tres, sondern auch ihre starke Stimme und ihr Charisma. Blanco perfektionierte ihr Können während eines mehrjährigen Studiums in Kuba und avancierte schnell zu einer gefragten Künstlerin, die auch mit dem Orchester ANACAONA in der internationalen Jazzszene für Aufsehen sorgte. Pancho Amat, internationaler Meister des Tres Cubanos, beschreibt Blancos Talent als aussergewöhnlich.

Dominique Fils-Aimé

Dominique Fils-Aimé ist mit einem neuem Album zurück und bespielt nach mehrmaligen Anläufen zum ersten Mal endlich auch die Moods-Bühne. Nach ihrer erfolgreichen Album-Triologie, die der Geschiche der afroamerikanischen Kultur und Geschichte nachging und ihr 2020 sogar einen JUNO für Vocal Jazz Album des Jahres einbrachte, folgt nun ihre neuste Platte «Our Roots Run Deep», die im September 2023 bei Ensoul Records erscheinen wird. Inspiriert von den Soul-Ikonen wie Billie Holiday, Etta James und Nina Simone erzählt die Kanadierin mit haitianischen Wurzeln vom Quell ihrer Seele und hält das Publikum mit ihrer Stimme in einer wohltuenden klanglichen Umarmung.

OORT CLOUD

Finale

OORT CLOUD concentrates on the expansion of the classical guitar trio sound and discover new, unconventional ways of interaction, composition and improvisation. The instrumentation loses its typical role models through the experimentation with preparations, electronic effects, playing techniques, together with sophisticated concepts for composotion and improvisation. The concert took place as part of the ZKB Jazz Prize.

Bergerausch

Shake Stew

With A Shake Stew, Austria&#x27;s Jazz band of the hour, much is extraordinary. Starting with the line-up: two drummers, two bass players, two saxophones, a trumpet. Quasi two trios plus one. Their comet-like ascendance is also without parallel: a sold-out debut album, a closely-watched collaboration with Shabaka Hutchings and performances at all the renowned Jazz festivals from Frankfurt to Montreal, from Istanbul to Mexico, speak for themselves. And then there&#x27;s that sound: driving rhythms, the horns sometimes blaring, sometimes virtuoso, sometimes melodious, borrowings from Afrobeats, Funk and Swing. Music that reveals a hypnotic spell, one wants to soak up every note, to dance, to shake oneself and hope that it will never stop.

Kush K

District Five

Live Elektronic

Mara Micciche aka IOKOI vertont «Häxan»

«Streamed concert only, no audience»

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.

Abrupto

Marina Mello

Marina Mello is a Brazilian harpist who lives in Zurich. Building on her classical training, she has developed a unique approach to the harp and its almost infinite range of playing techniques. Mello is distinguished by her ability to transform the harp – an instrument that typically has a gentle sound – into a loud, powerful machine. The focus is on unconventional playing styles such as extended techniques, prepared instruments and the use of effects pedals. During Marina Mello’s first Carte Blanche evening, the air will be filled with rhythms, grooves and electric intensity. As part of the &quot;Abrupto&quot; project, she has created compositions for her new quartet, comprising herself on the harp, Mariá Portugal and Maurício Takara on drums, and Carla Boregas on electronics. &quot;Abrupto&quot; is the result of intensive rehearsals in Berlin, during which ideas, compositions and collaborative creative projects were explored and developed. The audience can look forward to a dynamic programme ranging from structured, notated pieces to works that leave room for improvisation and spontaneous composition.

Septeto Naborí

Guiro

Maracas

Bongos

Septeto Nabori is a Cuban son septet with over 30 years of stage experience. The musicians blend the tradition of Son Cubano from eastern Cuba with a vibrant, contemporary concert style. Now based in Europe, the band performs at festivals and venues in Cuba and throughout Europe. Their repertoire is rooted in traditional Cuban styles, supported by elegant arrangements, polyphonic vocals, and a precise rhythm section. Their concerts span the spectrum from the historical roots of son to its contemporary forms of expression, without losing sight of the music’s original character. Septeto Nabori stands for musical quality, a joy of playing, and an immediate connection with the audience. Over the years, the ensemble has shared the stage with artists such as Compay Segundo, Oscar D’León, and Eliades Ochoa, bringing the diversity of Son Cubano to international stages.

Raphael Jost Quintet & lots of strings

Violin

Viola

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.

OMAR + QCBA

Orgel

Omar is one of the most influential voices in British soul. For four decades, he has helped shape the sound of UK soul, collaborating with greats such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo. The Hammond organ-driven quartet QCBA, led by the outstanding trumpeter Quentin Collins and the dynamic saxophonist Brandon Allen, moves with ease between contemporary groove and the spirit of the Blue Note era of the 1960s. When Omar meets QCBA, a musical connection is formed that could hardly be a better fit. Together they create a powerful blend of soul, funk and modern jazz that packs a real punch when performed live.

Espuma Antigua

The Espuma Antigua quartet blends past and present into music that lifts you up. Their aim is to bring old and new into dialogue within a gentle, electronic mix, thereby retelling melodies in a fresh way. Their sound is poetic, intimate and full of quiet magic – like stories told on a balmy summer’s night.

HOLD

The trio HOLD explores improvised soundscapes that bridge the worlds of jazz, noise and electronic music. Their sound is a blend of melody, noise and surprise. It embodies uncompromising spirit, freedom and originality. Their concerts are unique and always entirely improvised. It is music that emerges in the here and now – fleeting yet intense.

muralim

For muralim, music is something that speaks to the heart and the gut. It’s about freedom and those moments when you forget everything and can simply be in the present. Their melodies are catchy yet sophisticated, and the grooves invite you to tap your feet. The whole thing is carried by their joy of playing and their energy. The result is music that’s almost impossible to resist.

Psychedelicious

Drenched in sweat

Moods Carte Blanche

Female* Artists

Free concert streams

Zurich's Moods Jazz Club hosts over 300 concerts every year. Have you missed one of our live concerts? No problem! On the Moods streaming portal you'll find over 700 concert recordings from the genres of jazz, global sounds, funk, soul, blues and electro.
Thanks to carefully curated playlists and recommendations from our programme team, you can enjoy your favourite music anytime, anywhere, live from the stage of the Moods Jazz Club in Zurich.
Our archive is constantly growing, with around 40 new live streams added every year. With a Moods streaming subscription, you not only support our project, but also the artists directly: 70% of the revenue goes directly to the musicians who are part of our platform.
Try it now - you can stream the first 10 minutes of every recording for free.

Naïssam Jalal

Spirit Music Society & Moods present

further links

More streams