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.

Saxophon

Composition

Guitar

Hammond organ

Drum Kit

Nesrine

jazzhane & Moods present «Kan Ya Makan»

The Franco-Algerian singer, cellist, and songwriter Nesrine is a modern-day Scheherazade—a storyteller of our time. Her album Kan Ya Makan, Arabic for “Once upon a time,” is like a contemporary collection of tales from One Thousand and One Nights. Nesrine’s rich and intricate sound mirrors her diverse musical background. As a classically trained cellist, she has performed with Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Valencia Opera Orchestra under Lorin Maazel. She has also taken the stage as a guest performer with the Cirque du Soleil. Despite a promising career in classical orchestras, she chose to follow her solo path—a decision that has led to great success. Several extensive tours throughout Europe followed and Nesrine has thrilled audiences in classical venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie and the Amsterdam Cello Biennale as well as at major jazz and world music festivals. Her songs, which she performs in Arabic, French and English, reflect her personal journey, which is rooted in her Algerian heritage and characterised by her life in Paris. Nesrine has released two internationally acclaimed albums on ACT Music. In early 2024, she also released a digital EP on which she performs together with the world-famous Metropole Orkest. Now she is playing her debut in Zurich, live at Moods. This concert will be partially seated.

Cello

Vocals

Keyboards

Percussion

Fulu Miziki

The name says it all! Roughly translated, Fulu Miziki means music made from garbage and that is also the concept behind this eco-friendly afro-futuristic punk collective: the musicians make their own instruments, costumes and masks from discarded objects such as canisters, metal cans and PVC pipes. Their message is unmistakable: the multidisciplinary artists from the Congo want to draw attention to the accumulating waste in Kinshasa and everywhere else in the world and call on people to reconnect with nature. What does that sound like? Complex yet danceable rhythms and vocals somewhere between punk, electro and Congolese rumba.

Afreekaya

Warm Up & Afterparty

Afreekaya, who shuttles tirelessly between Latin America and the Middle East, between the Caribbean and Africa, is always on the lookout for raw, funky and psychedelic Afro-tropical tunes that have long remained under the radar to share with the world. As label manager at Analog Africa and curator of the Hors Tribu Festival, Afreekaya is constantly active, sharing his musical knowledge to keep the cultural scene moving.

Patrick Sommer Sextet – Rhythm Creature

Patrick Sommer

With Rhythm Creature, Patrick Sommer has created an ensemble that behaves like a pulsating organism. The band as a creature is only marginally tamed and indulges its instincts with relish. The musical ideas for this mostly originate from Patrick Sommer&#x27;s preoccupation with the Moroccan guembri, a lute-like, three-stringed instrument from the Western Sahara. The resulting creative output has also had a lasting influence on his approach to his other bass instruments, rhythms, and phrasing. The resulting pieces are characterised by interwoven rhythms, intense moods and captivating melodies. The band members are all groove specialists: Patrick has been working closely with guitarist Michael Bucher for countless years, and he has been playing in various formations with drummer Kaspar Rast, keyboardist Peter Wagner, saxophonist Dave Feusi and percussionist David Stauffacher for almost as long. Rhythm Creature now breathes life into these pieces and releases them into the wild.

Sopransaxophon

Tenorsaxophon

Fender-Rhodes E-Piano

Guembri

E-Bass

JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam

The JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam offers an important platform for the Swiss jazz jam scene. After the musical opening of the jam band, lively and exciting sound conversations begin between musicians who spontaneously meet on stage, reflecting the diversity of jazz in all its facets. The JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam is supported by the non-profit association JazzBaragge. There is no presale for JazzBaragge, only box office.

Piano

Bass

Jowee Omicil

Album Release «sMiles»

Jowee Omicil is a tireless boundary-breaker constantly exploring new musical worlds. No category does justice to this exceptional artist—a saxophonist, singer, pianist, and visionary—who draws inspiration from his Haitian roots to create music that tastes of freedom and carries a mystical touch of rebellion and memory. Born in Montreal to Haitian parents, Omicil blends his heritage, experiences, travels, and discoveries into his music, creating a distinctive expression of curiosity and authenticity. Full of energy and joie de vivre, Jowee is a passionate entertainer who thrills audiences with his melodies and grooves. His music blends the freedom of jazz, the depth of gospel, and pulsating beats that surprise, refresh, and empower—a boost of energy for the soul. At Moods, Jowee Omicil will present his latest work, sMiles, to be released on November 11. It is a manifesto of uncompromising authenticity. It celebrates self-expression, the beauty of imperfection, and the courage to take risks. What appears at first glance to be a rebellious web turns out to be a clear commitment to boundless freedom — the common thread that connects all his work. He pays tribute to Roy Hargrove, recalls Wayne Shorter, and bows to Miles Davis — yet he remains unmistakably himself, never imitating and always creatively new.

Clarinet

Flute

Cornet

MKZ Förderpreis Pop/Rock/Jazz

The Musikschule Konservatorium Zürich (MKZ) is organizing the Pop/Rock/Jazz Advancement Award for the eleventh time. Every year, the best students and bands in this field - the cats and cracks of tomorrow - qualify for the final competition. The finalists in the solo category will be accompanied by a first-class combo made up of MKZ teachers. Appearing will be: Kim Tohora (Voc, Git, Piano) Raffy Bowen (Voc, Git) Yan Gonzales Torres (Git+Trio) Zenne Reijmer (Voc+Trio) Safire James Blond Red Elephant

K.O.S Crew Dancehall Mood

Party

Dancehall Mood is the monthly reggae and dancehall party at Moods. Like on every first Saturday of the month, the K.O.S crew will make the Moods club cooking with hot riddims. This promises an evening full of dancehall hits and reggae rarities, perfectly tuned to the respective audience and immaculately presented by the K.O.S crew and their guest.

Manou Gallo

The path of the energetic bassist, drummer and singer led from the small town of Divo on the Ivory Coast to the biggest stages in the world. None other than the bass legend Bootsy Collins paved the way for Manou Gallo to be named one of the “Top 10 World Best Bass Players”! Gallo is pure power on the bass, mixing jazz, funk, groove, and Afro beat. Once you’ve experienced her, you immediately recognize her uniqueness: In her hands, the bass sometimes becomes a percussion element, driving the groove to fascinating heights. It’s no wonder Bootsy Collins calls her the “African Queen of Bass”. Other giants like Manu Dibango, Mamady Keita, Wyclef Jean, Marcus Miller, and Lucas van Meerwijk have also taken notice of her and shared stages with her. Proud of her African roots, Gallo says she has the musical freedom to play anything. And it’s precisely this freedom that you’ll find on stage: an explosive mixture of funk, jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and confident Afro grooves. With her technique and her music, Manou Gallo impressively proves that she is one of the best bassists in the world.

Trumpet

The Celebration

20 Jahre Metonic Records

Metonic Records is an independent music label based in Biel, founded in early 2005 by Manuel Engel in collaboration with the Trash Collective in Brooklyn, New York. Engel was and is always on the lookout for new collaborations, sounds and new musical constellations. Metonic Records promotes contemporary music and provides inspiration for those who are ready to expand and create change. On this evening, Metonic Records presents both new and established projects from the last 20 years.

Joy Frempong & Meta Marie Louise, Napoleon Maddox, Ana Igluka

FIRST ACT Joy Frempong – Manuel Engel first met Joy Frempong a long time ago, either backstage at the Pod Ring Festival or at a Puts Marie concert in Lucerne, where she performed with Fredy Studer&#x27;s band on the same evening. He congratulated her on her performance and immediately became a fan of her work. Meta Marie Louise – A band that Manuel Engel founded with Kevin Chesham in 2010. Several collaborations followed, and this year the two are performing alongside Napoleon Maddox (Cincinnati) and Ana Igluka (Nantes). Maddox joined them on their last tour in 2024, impressing everyone with his ease, agility, and command of the English language. Igluka worked with Meta Marie Louise in 2015, and the musicians have been close friends ever since.

Annie Aries, Lionel Friedli & Henry Strongbox, Doug Weiss, Romarna Campbell, Estefania Padilla

SECOND ACT Annie Aries – Annie was brought to Engel&#x27;s attention by an old friend from Everest Records. Engel was impressed by her attention to detail and minimalist compositional skills. The idea of pairing her with Lionel Friedli quickly took shape. Friedli&#x27;s style fits perfectly with Aries&#x27;. Engel first met Friedli when he was 15. Even back then, they shared a love of music. As teenagers, they learned jazz standards together and played in various ensembles. Looking back, both musicians are very grateful for this educational time spent together. Henry Strongbox – Manuel Engel&#x27;s &#x27;alter ego&#x27; – loves building boxes that beep, screech, scratch and squeak. He also plays &#x27;prepared piano&#x27; – adding screws, magnets, paper and other items to the strings. He performs alongside Doug Weiss, a world-class bassist and an important mentor during Engel&#x27;s time in NYC. He is a source of inspiration for a whole generation of young double bassists exploring modern jazz. In early 2024, Engel and Weiss had the idea of forming a trio. Now, they have formed a quartet with two young, talented and dynamic drummers who are attracting attention on the European music scene. Romarna Campbell is from Birmingham, and Estefania Chamorro is from Barcelona.

Puts Marie

THIRD ACT Puts Marie – When Manuel Engel returned to Biel after spending almost ten years in New York City, it didn&#x27;t take long for him to meet Max Usata from Puts Marie and strike up a close friendship. Engel later played as a guest on Puts Marie&#x27;s 2013 album Masoch and went on tour with the band when Beni06 (Farfisa organ) was unavailable. Engel describes Puts Marie as one of his favourite bands, a group where intense emotions meet pure freedom. Or, as Engel likes to say, &#x27;Trust is the key&#x27;.

Live Painting – Hervé Thiot

Hervé Thiot (1973), alias AIRBIOS, is a Swiss painter, performer and musician of Mauritian origin living in Biel/ Bienne. His distinctive style and vision are nourished by contact with both underground scenes and established institutions, in a perpetual creative dynamic at the crossroads of artistic disciplines. In his cosmic biotope, humans and technology coexist harmoniously and reinvent a world torn between universal love and bitterness, declined in malicious futuristic visions. The artist with multiple lives conceives his work as an instrument of human encounter and exchange, which leads him to prestigious collaborations and multiple international tours, among others with urban art, dance and opera companies. He has created an astonishing number of murals, paintings, drawings, installations, videos, photographs, decorations, set designs, exhibitions, publications and performances. From the local bar to avant-garde festivals. And sometimes at social events. Like a graffitied aristocratic alley cat, from the aperitif to the opera. The essence of his work lies in movement, vibration, the fragmentation of the gaze, the mixture of artistic disciplines and the exploration of constantly renewed mediums. His artistic career bears witness to an unquenchable thirst for human sharing, travel, innovation and freedom.

Florian Favre Trio

Album Release «Live at the bird’s eye»

Pianist Florian Favre of Freiburg is one of the best-known figures on the Swiss jazz scene. With his clear and original style of writing, he creates demystified, pop-influenced, sensitive, and explosive jazz that tells stories. One of these is the Florian Favre Trio, consisting of Favre, Manu Hagmann on double bass, and Arthur Alard on drums. Favre most recently performed solo with his album &quot;Idantitâ&quot;, and he also thrilled the Moods audience with a large ensemble for &quot;Idantitâ Revisited&quot;. However, now the time has come for the return of the Florian Favre Trio, consisting of himself, Manu Hagmann on double bass and Arthur Alard on drums. After a four-year hiatus, a new live album recorded at the Bird&#x27;s Eye Club in Basel will be released in November. The album showcases the trio&#x27;s ability to dance joyfully on a tightrope, exploiting an infinite range of nuances, thanks to the individual agility and musicality of each member.

Monobloco

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.

Miss Trópica

Following the concert, Miss Trópica from Rio de Janeiro will keep everyone on the dance floor with hot rhythms ranging from Brazilian electro and samba rock to cumbia, black music, mangue beat, and baile funk.

Cavaquinho

Snare Drum

Congas

Tamburin

Surdo

Leitung

Simon Berz TECTONIC

Simon Berz is a transdisciplinary artist who seamlessly blends improvised music, sound art, and performance. A great example of this is his TECTONIC performance. Berz conceived the idea during an artist residency in Iceland. There, he explored the island&#x27;s soundscapes and discovered the unique acoustic properties of volcanic basalt stones. Berz combines the archaic power of the stones with contemporary electronic sound processing. His work has a special appeal. As Berz himself says, “My hands elicit stories from the basalt that are older than words. In every sound lies a universe; in every vibration, a connection between us and the rhythm of the Earth.&quot; His work is not just music; it is an invitation to feel with our whole bodies how we are all part of a great tectonic dance.

Electronics

Yellowjackets 

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Streaming

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