MKZ Bandfestival

Whether blues-rock trio or big band, advanced workshops or individual performances, original compositions and standards, the pop/rock/jazz department of Musikschule Konservatorium Zürich (MKZ) is excellently represented in its entire breadth. The proven concept with main and side stage ensures real festival character.

Yves Theiler Trio+ feat. Bardia Charaf

«OMEGA»

With the fifth album, OMEGA, the Yves Theiler Trio, joined by guest musician Bardia Charaf on tenor saxophone, transports listeners into a soundscape filled with playfulness, depth, and sophisticated compositions. Pianist Yves Theiler, who once again serves as the composer and arranger of all pieces, creates a pulsating unity alongside Luca Sisera on double bass and Lukas Mantel on drums — blending jazz with pop influences and even touches of modern classical music. The album opens with &quot;For Four&quot;, celebrating the playful dialogue between the musicians before transitioning into &quot;Béla Bartók is Lost&quot; — an homage to the great composer Bartók, inspired by his structural forms yet infused with a fresh sense of improvisational freedom. &quot;The Circle&quot; and the title track &quot;Omega&quot; weave a hypnotic dramaturgy, elegantly bringing the cycle of musical ideas to a close. &quot;The Legacy of an Old Feeling&quot; captures a hint of nostalgia, while the closing piece, &quot;Broken Dreams&quot;, gracefully draws the listener back from this daydream into the present moment. OMEGA is an album that masterfully balances structure and free flow, tradition and modernity. It invites listeners to be swept away by dynamic interaction, expressive melodies, and vibrant rhythms — another milestone in the artistic evolution of the Yves Theiler Trio.

Tenorsaxophon

Piano

Kontrabass

Drum Kit

Makaya McCraven

In 2015, the drummer, producer and sound artist Makaya McCraven released his groundbreaking album, In the Moment. This established him as one of the leading figures in jazz and beat-heavy music. Ten years later, McCraven is back with an exciting new project that takes his sound even further. In the autumn of 2025, the drummer released four EPs simultaneously. He remains true to his approach of reshaping music in new and unexpected ways and placing it in a new context. Entitled Techno Logic, PopUp Shop, Hidden Out! and The People&#x27;s Mixtape, the four EPs were produced in McCraven&#x27;s signature Organic Beat Music style, which he first introduced on In the Moment and has continued to develop ever since. His secret recipe is to subject live recordings of his drum-led improvisations to intensive post-production.

Trumpet

Fender-Rhodes E-Piano

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.

Aaron Parks Little Big

With his 2008 Blue Note debut album, Invisible Cinema, pianist Aaron Parks introduced himself as an exciting new voice in jazz. He impresses not only as a pianist, but also as a composer of melodies that are as complex as they are catchy. Seamlessly combining elements of modern jazz, indie rock, and Eastern musical styles, Parks creates a unique and personal sound. His playing is characterized by lyrical beauty, rhythmic complexity, and harmonic sophistication. These qualities also characterize his band, Little Big, which consists of guitarist Greg Tuohey, bassist David Ginyard Jr., and drummer Jongkuk Kim. At Moods, they will present their latest album, Little Big III, co-produced by Blue Note boss Don Was. The record exudes an extraordinary vitality that is both beautiful and raw, underlining the band&#x27;s powerful, modern concept of improvised, genre-spanning music in the 21st century.

Keyboards

Guitar

Style Bakery meets Bounce Cypher Artists

Three weeks before this edition of Style Bakery, the legendary SRF Bounce Cypher takes place – the annual meeting place for the Swiss rap scene and an unofficial assessment of the current state of affairs on the mic. Six hours of exceptional circumstances, enormous YouTube live numbers, and maximum visibility for those involved. Together with host Pablo, we invite a selection of celebrated artists to perform their exclusive Cypher parts live – with a live band and audience. The band and the hand-picked freestyle vocalists also celebrate the unexpected together. A Cypher edition of a special kind – raw, real, and unforgettable. Joining us for this special edition of Style Bakery are Bounce Cypher artists Cali P, Eldorado FM, Lo &amp; Leduc, Benji Bonus, Poche Spanne, Saimon Disko, LCone, Manu913 &amp; Fau$tino, Vas Angelov, Parazh, Ryan87, Tony Castle, Supremnova, Zairandy, Sulaya and Svmthox.

Host

Vocals

Yumi Ito

Critics consider the Swiss-Polish-Japanese singer to be one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz. It&#x27;s no wonder that she regularly sells out shows at festivals such as the JazzArt Festival and the Veneto Jazz Festival. Yumi Ito creates her own boundless worlds with her voice. A master of vocal improvisation, she moves effortlessly between genres and her roles as a singer, pianist, and composer. Her own music is correspondingly diverse, an ocean of art pop, jazz, and neoclassical. On stage, Ito acts like a Zen master: clear, reflective, and with a uniquely powerful energy. She is backed by her band: &quot;drum poet&quot; Iago Fernández on drums, Nadav Erlich on double bass, and Alessio Cazzetta on guitar. Together, they focus solely on creating musical worlds in the spirit of boundlessness.

Samson Philipps & Special Guests

Album Release «Once Upon a Now»

The Zurich-based duo Samson Philipps presents their debut album &quot;Once Upon a Now&quot;. With this album, they join a new wave of jazz that blends the dance floor and tradition in an inspiring symbiosis, where melodic playing meets rhythmic complexity. Samson Philipps consists of Philipp Bucholtz and Samuel Schmassmann – two friends with a shared vision: In a minimalist setup (keys and drums) both contribute to a sound that transcends the sum of its parts, intertwining and blending together. The duo blends contemporary jazz with influences from drum’n’bass, jungle, trip hop, and ambient electronica into a expansive, cinematic sound consisting of analog warmth, deep sub-basses, jazzy Rhodes lines, and electronically embellished drum patterns. They proved that this blend resonates with audiences in 2025 at the ZKB Jazz Prize Festival, where they won the Audience Award. Now they’ll be celebrating their latest album &quot;Once Upon a Now&quot;, released on the Berlin-based label XJAZZ! Music. Their goal: bringing jazz back onto the dancefloor. That’s why this Sunday concert will take place a bit later than usual.

Synthesizer

Rhodes

Visuals

Francesca Tandoi

Francesca Tandoi is an Italian pianist, singer, composer, and band leader, celebrated for her artistry, virtuosity, and unforgettable performances. She spent her formative years in the Netherlands, studying at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and later at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam, before launching her international career. Over the years, Francesca has led her ensembles on some of the most prestigious stages worldwide, including Dizzy’s Jazz Club at Lincoln Center, Bimhuis in Amsterdam and Hakuju Hall in Tokyo. Since 2014, Francesca has released seven albums as a bandleader and contributed to over twenty other recordings. Her critically acclaimed album Wind Dance (Atelier Sawano, Japan) was named among the Top 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2017 by Jazz Life magazine, which also recognized her arrangement of “Just You, Just Me” as one of the year’s most outstanding interpretations, hailing her as “one of the most exciting emerging talents on the international jazz scene.” Rooted in the jazz tradition of the previous century, her latest album, set to release in Spring 2026, will further cement her place in today&#x27;s jazz scene.

Vincent Courtois & Colin Vallon

«A Simple Fall»

&quot;A Simple Fall&quot; brings together two of Europe’s most distinctive voices in contemporary improvised music: French cellist Vincent Courtois and Swiss pianist Colin Vallon. Released by BMC Records, the Budapest label known as one of Europe’s most celebrated homes for contemporary classical and jazz, the album offers twelve pieces of uncommon intimacy and emotional clarity in contemporary minimalism. Courtois, who has collaborated with the likes of Rita Mitsouko, Christian Escoudé, Michel Petrucciani or even Michel Portal, is no stranger to the BMC catalogue. His tone, equally capable of lyricism and restraint finds a remarkable counterpart in Vallon’s unique sense of portion when it comes to piano. Vallon, an internationally celebrated soloist known by his releases over ECM Records, is renowned for a touch that balances fragility and quiet intensity, shaping silence as much as sound. The sessions that became A Simple Fall were marked by profound personal loss. The shadow of grief lends the album a restless depth, its music often suspended between stillness and turbulence. Therefore the album is overshadowed by an unflinching confrontation with absence. Minimalism defines the duo’s language here. Every phrase feels carved with care, every pause deliberate. The cello’s raw edge and the piano’s hushed resonance create a fragile architecture, never ornamental, always essential. This spareness amplifies the underlying emotions: resignation,tenderness, resilience.

Cello

Charlotte Dos Santos

Charlotte Dos Santos is a Norwegian-Brazilian artist, composer, and producer whose work moves through a soulful blend of jazz, soul, and R&amp;B. Her debut album Cleo (2017) earned international acclaim from Pitchfork, Bandcamp, and The Fader, positioning her early as a singular voice with a cinematic, deeply personal sound. Her follow-up album Morfo (Because Music, UK/FR) expanded her global impact, highlighted by The Guardian, Clash Magazine, Bandcamp, and The Vinyl Factory as one of the standout releases of the year, and earning her the Spellemann Award for RnB/Soul. Dos Santos has been championed across major cultural platforms including Wonderland, Vogue Hong Kong, Hypebeast, Sunday Times Culture, and The Cut. A versatile collaborator, she has worked with artists such as Blood Orange (Dev Hynes), Jordan Rakei, and Irish rapper Kojaque, reflecting her fluid movement across genres and artistic communities. With over 30 million streams, a COLORS session, an appearance at Abbey Road Studios, and support from names like Outkast’s Big Boi, Questlove, and Raphael Saadiq, she continues to grow her international presence. Currently releasing her new EP Neve Azul (Oct 2025), Dos Santos deepens her exploration of Brazilian heritage through a soulful, spiritual, and emotionally resonant lens.

loophole

loophole are a trio at the pulse of contemporary music. Over years of exploration and creative experimentation, they have developed a distinctive sound that blends the expressiveness of jazz with atmospheric, beat-driven soundscapes. While Dave, Michel, and Claude form the core of the project, they regularly collaborate with guest musicians, allowing loophole’s musical universe to expand and evolve with each contribution.​​

Melodiesinfonie & Chrigi G. us Z.

Warm Up & Cool Down

Melodiesinfonie is a producer, composer and DJ from Zurich. He has released over ten albums since 2012 and is constantly touring internationally with his band. As a DJ, he plays genre-fluid music that is constantly reinventing itself but is definitely inspired by Black American music. Chrigi G. us Z. has been collecting music for a long time. Almost pathologically, actually. With GDS.FM, he has now found a way to make this music accessible. He puts together suitable playlists every day in the program. In the live shows, he invites guests and presents the latest discoveries. Finally, he presents his favorites mixed in clubs and bars or at festivals.

Tschopp X Lang

What&#x27;s better than one barisax? Two! The duo Tschopp X Lang brings two baritone saxophones to the stage – a rare combination that opens up entirely new sound worlds. Matthias Tschopp and Charlotte Lang demonstrate how two identical instruments can merge into a captivating whole. With this unique formation, the duo explores a previously unheard space in jazz: dense, resonant, and surprisingly multifaceted. 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.

Christoph Irniger - Marc Perrenoud

Album Release «New Lines»

The collaboration between Christoph Irniger and Marc Perrenoud is a unique combination of creative energy and musical skill. Both have their roots in jazz and are technically accomplished instrumentalists with a sparkling temperament. As a duo, they unite the creative energies of two musicians and composers who are renowned on the international jazz scene in a unique way. With their joint program “New Lines”, Perrenoud and Irniger present their first recording for Unit Records in spring 2026. The music is a fascinating mix of original compositions and innovative reinterpretations of classic jazz standards, with the musicians giving their compositions the freedom to emancipate themselves from their models. Changes and melodies dance around each other, challenging, motivating, and inspiring each other, and developing a symbiotic life of their own, just as Irniger and Perrenoud&#x27;s intuitions intertwine naturally. The two musicians have known and appreciated each other for a long time and decided to perform as a duo for the first time in 2022. “This is the first time for both of us to go public in a more traditional context,” Irniger sums up, &quot;and now we just felt like doing it.” And it is precisely this desire that is perceptible in every song, every line, every note, and every interaction.

Baritone Saxophone

LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs

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. A writer, vocalist and performance/sound artist, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs is the author of In Search of Sugar Cane (Dia Arts Foundation, 2025), Village (Coffee House Press 2023) and TwERK (Belladonna, 2013). Diggs’s interdisciplinary work has been featured in exhibits at several New York museums, including the Whitney and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Venice Biennale in 2015. She will present a 40-minute reading/performance of selected poems from her books TwERK, Village, and other recent works. Drawing from her multilingual, polyphonic practice, she responds to the themes of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and Ancestral Roots through a dynamic weaving of sound, language, and poetic gesture. Her performance reflects on heritage as both presence and echo, exploring the tension and joy of identities shaped across distance, memory, and mis/translation. With voice, looping, and text, she conjures a space where ancestral legacy and diasporic imagination meet in experimental sound and poetry. This event was co-curated by Stanford Chen: Stanford Chen (he/him) is an interdisciplinary artist and poet with a background in cancer biology. Born near Washington, DC to Taiwanese immigrants and now based in Zürich, his practice explores queer identities, migrant stories, and the Asian diaspora. Working through participatory installations, storytelling, and communal rituals, Stanford investigates ways to reconnect with ancestral memory and foster healing, care, and collective belonging.

Korhan Futaci

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.

Saxophon

SPECIAL: SOFIA (Support Of Female Improvising Artists)

Altsaxophon

Trombone

Accordion

Elina Duni & Rob Luft

Album Release «Reaching for the Moon»

The charismatic Albanian-Swiss singer Elina Duni and the London-based guitarist Rob Luft first met at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2017, which marked the beginning of their unique collaboration. Since then, they have toured the world and released two critically acclaimed albums as a quartet on ECM Records. Their upcoming album, Reaching for the Moon, due for release in 2026, sees them return to the essence of their first encounter with a stripped-down duo production. Together, they navigate a universe of jazz, chanson, and Balkan traditions, weaving a tapestry of songs that evoke the mystery and joy of night-time, the moon, and the magic within us all. Duni&#x27;s voice combines with Luft&#x27;s crystal-clear tones to create a mesmerising duet. This evening promises to be a musical journey offering hope in the darkness and reminding us of the comfort of home.

Percussion

Ghost-Note

Ghost-Note are groovy, tight and hot, hot, hot! And in May, they will make their long-awaited Moods debut with their latest album &quot;Mustard n&#x27;Onions&quot;. Ghost-Note is not just any band; it&#x27;s a true melting pot of talent. Led by the Grammy Award-winning percussion duo Robert &quot;Sput&quot; Searight and Nate Werth from Snarky Puppy, the group features an impressive lineup of musicians. They are joined by an extensive list of next-generation musicians, including former bandmates of Prince, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Toto, and Justin Timberlake. Together, they are propelling funk music into the future. They build on the foundations laid by James Brown and Sly &amp; the Family Stone, enriching their fresh approach with influences from Afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, and world folklore. This concept has been evident since their inception. Their two studio albums, Swagism (2018) and Fortified (2015), received critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide – and anyone who has seen them live will confirm that this band is a must-see.

Cavaliere Spruzzi (Monorecords)

Warm Up & Hangout

The man for funk in Zurich for 4 decades. Who doesn&#x27;t remember the legendary Cool Mondays? Smoky afternoons in THE record store in Zurich on Froschaugasse? Or the Real Funk for Real People series at Moods? Cavaliere Spruzzi is back! You better put on your dancing shoes!

Flute

Tamikrest

An iconic Saharan rock band, Tamikrest was formed in 2006 by Ousmane Ag Mossa, Cheikh Ag Tiglia, and Aghaly Ag Mohamedine in Tinzawaten, on the border between Algeria and Mali. Inspired by the musical heritage of Tinariwen, and driven by the desire to amplify the oppressed voice of the Kel Tamasheq (Tuareg) people, the group quickly made their mark. Their first two albums, Adagh (2010) and Toumastin (2011), showcased an already sharp sense of melody and songwriting. The arrival of Paul Salvagnac for their third album, Chatma (2013) reinforced the band&#x27;s shift towards a more powerful rock sound. Dedicated to the struggles of women in the Sahara, the album was hailed by the specialized press as a major work of the Ishumar music genre. It was awarded a Songlines Award for Best Album of the Year in 2013. With the release of Kidal (2017) and Tamotait (2020), Tamikrest has further asserted its deep roots in Tamasheq tradition, carried by the raw energy of rock. It is above all on stage that the band&#x27;s psychedelic rock, blending hypnotic trance and melody, fully reveals their power. After numerous tours across Europe, Africa, North and South America, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, Tamikrest have established themselves as a major representative of African music and the international rock scene.

E-Bass

V.I.P. Metalheadz Session: Goldie (UK)

JUR Records & Moods present

Unfortunately, Goldie is unable to attend the event for health reasons. The event has therefore been postponed. Further details will follow. Goldie, also known as Rufige Kru, is a music pioneer, contemporary artist, drum and bass icon, DJ and producer. Against all odds, he unleashed his boundless creativity at a young age. He transformed a British underground sound into an international mainstream movement with the development of drum and bass, collaborating with major pop icons along the way. While overseeing the founding and growth of his drum and bass label Metalheadz in 1994, Goldie found time to produce a debut album that sold an impressive 250,000 copies. This epic work, which includes a 21-minute symphonic track, lives up to its name: “Timeless”. Around the same time, the famous club night &#x27;Metalheadz Sunday Sessions&#x27; was launched, achieving legendary status at London&#x27;s Blue Note Club. The Metalheadz night went down in history as one of the most important drum and bass events and is often cited by the genre&#x27;s greats as a pioneer in spreading the sound worldwide. Entry CHF 30.– / Presales CHF 25.–

Disk Jockey

Voodoo Jürgens

Palinstar

Support

Palinstar is a parallel universe, planet, and self-heroine all at once. Behind the name lies a distinguished multi-instrumentalist who has toured globally with Boytoy, supported Caroline Rose, and performed at KEXP with Kush K. In 2025 she released her Debut: gay stuff, Emotional Jetlag, Heart Rock. Or a blend of grand Americana melodies with simple lyrics, inspired by Nirvana del Rey.

«Live 2026»

Voodoo Jürgens has become a fixture in the Austropop firmament. His first three albums, Ansa Woar, &#x27;s Klane Glücksspiel, and Wie die Nocht noch jung wor, are already classics of Austrian pop. Together, they form a kind of Sturm und Drang trilogy of early Voodoo. In addition to the Viennese dialect, his trademarks include the black humor resonating in his songs. Now, Voodoo Jürgens &amp; die Ansa Panier are back with a new album. For his fourth album, Voodoo Jürgens has given himself a musical rejuvenation and expanded his lyrical palette. He has, so to speak, left the beisl (as pubs are called in Austria) for the big, wide world. The new album exudes a sense of new beginnings, energy, passion, and freshness. The band is modestly calling it &quot;their best album, their greatest success.&quot; We can therefore expect great things from Voodoo and his Ansa Panier in 2026.

Violin

Horn

JazzBaragge Saisonabschluss

25 YEARS MEGA JAM

The JazzBaragge Wednesday Jam offers an important platform for the Swiss jazz jam scene. After the musical prelude by the jam band, lively and exciting 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 advance booking for the JazzBaragge, only box office.

ZKO-Festival: In the Mood for Jazz

Zürcher Kammerorchester, Daniel Hope & Friends present

For the first time, the Zurich Chamber Orchestra is venturing across the city to Moods, a venue usually associated with jazz, world music, funk, or soul. That spirit is present in this concert as well: in George Gershwin’s song suite, melodies originally composed for classical orchestra alternate with solo features from a jazz trio. Johannes von Ballestrem, Joscho Stephan, and Dimitri Monstein have been close collaborators of the orchestra for many years – seamless groove is guaranteed. “Groove” is also a keyword that preoccupied Leonard Bernstein, who shook up the American music scene a few decades after Gershwin. In his West Side Story, he combines jazz influences with Latin American dance rhythms to create a timeless global hit. Leonard Bernstein – Suite from West Side Story, arranged for violin and string orchestra by Paul Bateman Kurt Weill – Song Suite, arranged by Paul Bateman George Gershwin – Song Suite, arranged for violin, jazz trio, and string orchestra by Paul Bateman

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.

30 Jahre KulturLegi Zürich – Jubiläumsfest

KulturLegi Zurich is celebrating its 30th anniversary and invites you to a special celebration at the Schiffbau Zurich. Since 1996, KulturLegi has been committed to ensuring that everyone can participate in social life – regardless of their income. By offering discounts in the areas of culture, sport, education and leisure, it opens up new opportunities for over 200,000 people in Switzerland, thereby making an important contribution to greater equality of opportunity. The anniversary celebration at the Schiffbau offers a varied programme for young and old alike: in the afternoon and early evening, guests can enjoy free activities, and in the evening the party continues at Moods. For the concerts, there is a ticket sale with discounts for KulturLegi users as well as a ticket prize draw. The full programme for the day and further information can be found at: https://www.kulturlegi.ch/zuerich/30-jahre-kulturlegi

Big Zis & The Big Hug Experience

Rap meets pop, punk, spoken word, experimental electronica, noise and other forms of contemporary music. With BIG HUG, Big Zis is releasing a large-scale, collaborative album project. Building on the previous album, BIG HUG brings together contributions from 23 artists from different generations and musical genres within the current (German-Swiss) music scene: cross-generational, genre-free and driven by the idea of working together. The stage will be taken by storm with the Big Hug Experience and guests.

Šuma Čovjek

Šuma Čovjek bring their explosive live energy to Moods. The audience is in for an intense, emotional concert experience. With their unique blend of Balkan, pop, rap and world music, as well as multilingual songs, they captivate audiences as a thrilling live phenomenon. Danceable beats, poetic power and pure energy transform every stage into a vibrant celebration.

Ms. Hyde

Afterparty

Mr Hyde was Dr Jekyll’s dark side. In the novel, this enigmatic and wild figure roams the streets at night. Seen in this light, the DJ name suits Valentina perfectly. For Ms. Hyde, too, knows that the night operates differently from the day. Her intuition for moods and her courage to mix genres make her sets a wild ride. From researched obscurities, through disco-funky grooves, to hits with real substance. Even songs that aren’t primarily danceable are transformed, as if by magic, into dancefloor killers. And all of it on vinyl.

Mauro Sigura & Andrea Manzoni – «Migrantes»

Italienisches Kulturinstitut presents

Following the 2025 release of their album Migrantes, pianist Andrea Manzoni and oud player Mauro Sigura bring their European and North American tour to Moods. This project explores migration as a universal experience of transformation and encounter. Blending Mediterranean influences, jazz improvisation, and contemporary research, the duo creates evolving sonic landscapes where tradition meets modernity. Expect an immersive concert characterized by strong narrative depth and a dynamic interplay between two distinct musical identities. In collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Zurigo and Medinsard European and North American Tour 2026.

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.”

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.

Bongos

Theremin

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.”

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.

Electronics

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.

Clarinet

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).

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.

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.

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".

Moods is reached via the main entrance of the Schiffbau at Schiffbauplatz. We recommend arriving by public transport (streetcar 4 or 8 / bus 72, 83 or 33 to Schiffbau; S-Bahn to Hardbrücke station and from there approx. 2 minutes on foot).
Parking spaces are available under Hardbrücke and in the Pfingstweid-/Hardstrasse parking garage.

Coletivo Raizes do Samba & Neya Castro

Cavaquinho

Banjo

Adalu & Moods present 

The Coletivo Raízes do Samba consists of Brazilian musicians residing in Switzerland, including members from Basel and Zurich. The group lives the true spirit of samba and combines the authenticity of Brazilian music with infectious energy and warm interaction with the European audience. With impressive performances at events such as the Kaserne Basel, the Klosterberg Fest Basel and the Lutry Festival, the Coletivo has thrilled both audiences and the press with its musical quality and the lively atmosphere of its shows. Neya Castro is a singer and songwriter who carries the spirit of Samba de Raiz with her powerful voice and vibrant energy. When Neya sings, the music connects people and brings the tradition of samba to life. Her art is full of ancestral power, truthfulness and joy.

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

Terreiro Adalu - Roda de Samba

Coletivo Raizes do Samba & Neya Castro

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