Between border-crossing and classic jazz: listen to the most exciting female* artists.
Migros Culture Percentage supports Moods in recording concerts by FINTA musicians (women, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender people). In doing so, we are jointly strengthening the visibility of women in the music industry.

Female* Artists

Leyla McCalla

Vor zwei Jahren verzauberte Layla McCalla das Moods-Publikum als Act der «Do you know»-Reihe, heute gehört sie zu den wichtigsten Cellistinnen der Folk-Musik. Als Tochter von haitianischen Emigranten wuchs sie in New York auf, studierte dort Cello und Kammermusik und brach dann auf Richtung Süden. In New Orleans fand Leyla McCalla ihre musikalische Heimat und wurde Mitglied der renommierten Stringband Carolina Chocolate Drops. Auf ihrem zweiten Solo-Album «A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey» nimmt Leyla den Folksong-Mix des Vorgänger-Albums auf und erweitert mit Studio-Gästen ihre Klangwelt. Ihre herbe Stimme passt wunderbar zu den schlichten mit Banjo, Gitarre und Cello eingespielten Arrangements.

Majur

Vocals

Producer

Director

Percussion

Adalu & Moods present

Blending notes of R&amp;B, Blues and rap with the waves of soul. The Bahian artist had a striking start to her career, featuring in the Latin Grammy nominated song “AmarElo” alongside Emicida and Pablo Vittar. Majur’s debut album “Ojunifé” (2021), documents her journey of self-discovery and features collaborations with Liniker and Luedji Luna, reinforcing the message of diversity and black affection. She made her international debut at the Roskilde Festival and has been featured in major Brazilian lineups such as Rock in Rio. With a powerful musical presence, Majur merges African, Indigenous, and modern influences, solidifying her place in the music scene.

Lea Maria Fries

Leitung

Piano

Bass

Drum Kit

Album Release «Cleo»

A fascinating voice reminiscent of Mélanie De Biasio and Beth Gibbons: Lea Maria Fries (et.nu, 22° Halo) is releasing her first solo album &#x27;Cleo&#x27; on 4 April 2025. On it, the Swiss singer confidently tells of an artist&#x27;s intimate search for her future, maturity and sensitivity. It is about encounters with the world, about being a woman in society and culture, and about becoming a queen like the one who has inspired her since childhood: Cleopatra. Strong, soulful, powerful, fresh and full of surprises, &#x27;Cleo&#x27; captivates the listener with every note.

Zürich Jazz Kollektiv feat. Alex Sipiagin

Trumpet

Sopransaxophon

Tenorsaxophon

Altsaxophon

Flute

Trombone

Victoria Mozalevskaya

The Zürich Jazz Kollektiv is a new contemporary jazz ensemble born out of the desire to create a creative network of local musicians to represent, cultivate and develop contemporary jazz in Switzerland. The ensemble sees itself as a platform for musical innovation and collaboration that both enriches the genre and strengthens and inspires the community of local jazz musicians. The collective&#x27;s music is penned by its founder, tenor saxophonist Victoria Mozalevskaya, and unfolds through the ensemble&#x27;s collaborative vision in energetic live performances and sophisticated arrangements. Joining them for the grand opening is none other than Alex Sipiagin, a longtime member of the big bands of Charles Mingus and George Gruntz and a fellow musician with jazz greats such as Dave Holland and Randy Brecker.

Nikki Hill

Guitar

Anyone who has experienced Nikki Hill singing her heart out knows that this woman is like a thunderbolt! Loud, bright and electrifying! Together with husband and guitarist Matt Hill and her ‘Pirate Crew’, the North Carolina-born singer is finally bringing her unmistakable Deep South Soul back to Moods. With unfiltered energy, they take on all varieties of American roots music and deliver a sound that makes you believe in rock and roll again. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Keyboards

Electronics

First the world moved closer together, then the borders were drawn up again. That&#x27;s the bad news. But the good news is that OY are not part of it. rSinger/keyboardist Joy Frempong and producer/drummer Melodydreamer have been making music across all musical, linguistic and cultural borders for a decade. The Berlin-based duo with roots in Ghana and Switzerland have thrilled audiences on stages around the world, whether at festivals such as Eurockéenes in France, Rec Beat in Brazil or at club shows in downtown Cairo and New York. 2022 saw them on tour in Europe with the Colombian band Bomba Estéreo as a support act. It is therefore only logical that the title of their current album is World Wide We Polyglot negotiations of political and personal themes are musically realized. From electronica Afrobeats avant-pop to hip-hop, trap and jazz. OY&#x27;s music is more versatile and unified, stylistically more open and self-contained than ever. World Wide We is an open invitation to everyone who wants to dance all clichés to the ground at the duo&#x27;s celebrated concerts. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Nicole Johänntgen

Saxophon

Tuba

Album Release «Labyrinth II»

Nicole Johänntgen&#x27;s Labyrinth is groovy, experimental, sometimes melancholic and here and there you can hear the flair of the Motown era of the 70s. After the successful and energetic evening in spring 2024, Johänntgen, Hansen and Stauffacher return to Moods - this time with the sequel - Labyrinth II. When the saxophonist creates music, she likes to look deep, reflect and feel life. While the unconventional line-up of saxophone, tuba (Jon Hansen) and percussion (David Stauffacher) offers unexpected new possibilities, Nicole Johänntgen remains true to her soulful, expressive and virtuoso playing, in which saxophone and vocals alternate in unexpected, artistic ways. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

EMEL

jazzhane & Moods present

EMEL became known as the figurehead of the Jasmine Revolution and the revolutionary voice of young Tunisia; and her song &#x27;Kelmti Hourra&#x27; (&#x27;My word is free&#x27;) became an anthem of the movement. Now the singer is coming back with a new album, with the same evocative power and rallying lyrics, but in a new musical guise. Inspired by musicians such as Rosalía, Aya Nakamura and Charlie XCX, the result is a powerful and feminist album with influences from hyper-pop, hip-hop, electronica and reggaeton: &#x27;MRA&#x27; is a danceable, hard-hitting rebirth. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Božo Vrećo

Accordion

Kultur Shock & Moods present

Božo Vrećo is an artist who breathes Sevdah, experiences it in a lively way, reinterprets it and embodies it. With the unmistakable voice of a lyrical tenor, he presents an impressive melange of duality, freedom, courage and love. International media such as El Periódico and the New York Times praise him as an avant-garde artist with a global voice who has become a symbol of freedom in the Balkans. They describe his voice as a voice that touches souls and opens wounded hearts. His concerts are an emotional catharsis and the embodiment of love, where he enchants his listeners with the song of an angel. This year sees the release of his seventh studio album Sevdahology. His first documentary film Maldita, produced in Spain and directed by Kanaki Film, won the prestigious Goya Award for best documentary film at the festival. Božo Vrećo is currently working on a book and touring festivals in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and the Balkan region.

Camilla George

Camilla George is a visionary saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator. Her strong cultural roots and love of fusing African and Western Music has informed her own unique style, a key reason why she is a firm fixture on the new London Jazz scene, alongside peers such as Nubya Garcia and Shabaka Hutchings. Her music is a hypnotising blend of Afrofuturism, hip hop and jazz, with a politically minded subtext that has a powerful connection to her Nigerian identity, lineage and heritage, reflecting African history, culture and slavery. Her most recent album, ‘Ibio Ibio’, is a tribute to her tribe the Ibibio people of South Eastern Coastal Nigeria. The album features an incredible lineup, including Daniel Casimir, Sarah Tandy, Winton Clifford, Renato Paris, Sheila Maurice-Grey, Rosie Turton, Shirley Tetteh, hip hop drummer, Daru Jones, Birmingham based rapper, Lady Sanity and Sam Jones. Recent notable performances include North Sea Jazz Festival, where Camilla performed with both her own group and as a featured artist in the ‘Diaspora Suite’ performance; Jazz a Vienne, where Camilla also sat in for a guest spot with Marcus Miller; EFG London Jazz Festival, Jazz In The Park Romania, Brosella and Jazz Onze Lausanne. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Balthvs

BALTHVS is one of the positive results of the pandemic! The three musicians used the time of standstill to form a band in 2020. Since then, the psychedelic funk trio from Bogotá has already released over 30 singles and three albums, on which they cross genre boundaries and fuse influences from cumbia, surf rock and funk. And they don&#x27;t intend to stop there: In addition to their many releases, they are also busy conquering the world&#x27;s stages and thrilling audiences with their energetic live shows.

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.

Jasmine Myra

Clarinet

Harp

Jasmine Myra is a saxophonist, composer and bandleader from Leeds and is part of the city&#x27;s vibrant, creative and cross-genre music scene, which is bursting with young talent. Her euphoric and uplifting sound draws influences from Bonobo, Ólafur Arnalds and Kenny Wheeler, artists whose music shares an emotive quality that you can also hear in Myra’s own compositions. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Benin International Musical

The Benin International Musical combines traditional rhythms and songs from the voodoo culture with electronic melodies, trip-hop grooves, hip-hop and rock from Benin&#x27;s trendy club scene. With their project, the collective aims to revive the diverse musical heritage of their ancestors and make it accessible to a wide audience. The traditional voodoo culture, which was spread in the wake of slavery, may be unknown to many, but it laid the foundations for musical movements such as jazz, blues, salsa and hip-hop. A groovy homage to a rich cultural history! Before and after the concert, DJ Voilà Tim will play a selection of African grooves. Supported by the SüdKulturFonds. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

La Sonora Mazurén

E-Gitarre

La Sonora Mazurén are the latest representatives of Bogotá&#x27;s lively alternative music scene. The seven musicians are influenced by traditional rhythms and sounds from Ecuador, Colombia and Peru and enrich them with synths and electric guitar. This is how they have developed their very own sound, which can be described as trippy cumbia, psychedelic chicha or African fuzz. A must for lovers of bands like the Meridian Brothers and for anyone curious to discover the new Tropsychedelica sound of Colombia. Supported by the SüdKulturFonds.

Anna & Stoffner mit Membrez und Mantel

Synthesizer

Fender-Rhodes E-Piano

Anna Frey

The band Anna &amp; Stoffner with Membrez and Mantel captivates with a highly energetic interplay of virtuoso musicians and urgent, unsparing lyrics. Rapper Anna Frey and guitarist Flo Stoffner, with Vincent Membrez on synthesizers and Lukas Mantel on drums, develop an intensity that is hard to resist. «Less than little is nothing, but little is more than nothing, little makes a difference.» This band is not afraid of the void and does not cover it up, but faces it, follows it and thus develops its own language, with driving grooves, poppy melodies, free improvisation, idiosyncratic guitars and dark, engaging basses. Rapper Anna Frey moves over this musical diversity with her poetic lyrics. Sometimes in singsong, sometimes in harsh phrasing. Always in search of the immediate expression.

Irina Ungureanu

Violin

Zither

Glass Harp

Irina Ungureanu 

«Lieder aus dem Schneckenhaus» feat. Anna Trauffer

A double premiere! Irina Ungureanu and Anna Trauffer will be on stage together for the first time. And: Irina Ungureanu will also perform her own songs in Swiss German for the first time. But Romanian folk songs from her childhood will also find a place in the programme. The two musicians will accompany each other with a multi-instrumental setup ranging from violin and zither to piano and various objects. You can look forward to a poetic, thoughtful, smiling and sometimes bizarre evening of words, sounds and songs.

Heidi Happy feat. The Chor

Flugelhorn

Mandolin

Album Release «Nid für Ewig»

After performing with Stephan Eicher and Patent Ochsner, the songwriter from Lucern is back on the road with her own band and is bringing her new album “Nid für Ewig” and the freshly pressed live version on vinyl to Moods! Folky singer-songwriter ballads, spherically dreamy hippie worlds and synth-pop with French charm - it&#x27;s all there. Sometimes very calm and unagitated, sometimes so moving that it&#x27;s hard not to dance along or howl with emotion. We are looking forward to a unique and emotional evening, also thanks to the participation of the choir &quot;The Chor&quot; from Zürich, lead by Heidi&#x27;s sister Anet Zemp. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

FRAME.OUT

A woman. A musician. A mother. A 37-year-old. A foreigner. Because of our identities, we often feel compelled, consciously or unconsciously, to fit into predetermined patterns. FRAME.OUT is a musical storytelling about personal boundaries and social conventions. Victoria Mozalevskaya invites the audience on a journey that explores the facets of life. Together with singer Song Yi Jeon, whose voice captivates the audience, and the energetic, innovative sound of the duo Lada Obradovic and David Tixier, the quartet delves deep into its musical world – into complex grooves and experimental sound formation in the context of contemporary jazz. It is an exploration of the individual stories that make the four musicians who they are and how they reflect the world through their music.

Malika Tirolien

From Guadeloupe, Grammy nominated vocalist, songwriter and producer Malika Tirolien is an explosive mix of creativity, dedication and genuineness. Her love, passion and respect for music can be felt in the sparkling authenticity of her performances in which her soaring voice immediately grabs your attention and her well-crafted compositions present effusive emotions through conscious and engaged lyrics. Montreal based, she has been garnering international attention for almost a decade, striking with her electrifying performance on “Iʼm not the one”, a prime track on the Grammy-winning album “Family Dinner” by Snarky Puppy that has been inspiring countless covers worldwide. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Siselabonga

Siselabonga are back with a new EP called &#x27;In Stone&#x27;. This time, South African singer-songwriter Nongoma takes the mic as the group moves through a kaleidoscopic mix of acoustic and electronic sounds. The rhythmic foundation is West African to the core, with selected elements of hip-hop, soul, Afrobeats and electro-pop thrown in for good measure. Lively, sensual and transcendent. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Elina Duni Trio feat. Rabih Abou-Khalil

Jurykonzert

Born in 1981 as the daughter of a writer and a director in the Albanian capital Tirana, Elina Duni first appeared on stage at the age of just five. A lot has happened since her first musical steps on radio and television: today, Elina Duni is an ECM artist and, since 2017, a laureate of the Swiss Music Prize. In this ZKB Jazz Prize Special, the oud virtuoso Rabih Abou-Khalil meets the Elina Duni Trio with Marc Méan and Matthieu Michel. A unique constellation that will probably bring some golden moments. The concert took place as part of the ZKB Jazz Prize.

Evelinn Trouble Orchestra

Viola

Cello

Evelinn Trouble

One year after her fifth studio album &quot;Longing Fever&quot; won the &#x27;Indie Suisse Album Of The Year Award&#x27;, Evelinn Trouble is back on tour with her band. Evelinn Trouble, known for her creative restlessness, her virtuoso voice and her idiosyncratic songwriting has added an exciting pop work to her discography with &quot;Longing Fever&quot; - a break with her psychedelic era but still unmistakably Trouble. It&#x27;s an exciting album that traverses highs and lows with fervour, ranging from Beatlesque love songs to euphoric melodies buoyed by distorted hip-hop. Unexpectedly, new sounds of string instruments join the otherwise dark sound universe of the singer: a string trio expands the band to the &quot;Evelinn Trouble Orchestra&quot;. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Yarima Blanco Y Son Latino

Tres

Yarima Blanco is an outstanding Tres Cubano player and one of the few outside of Cuba to master this unique three-stringed instrument. With her own septet, Son Latino, she combines various Cuban styles with Latin American influences. Her electrifying performances showcase not only her impressive technique on the tres, but also her powerful voice and charisma. Blanco perfected her skills during several years of study in Cuba and quickly became a sought-after artist, also making waves on the international jazz scene with the orchestra ANACAONA. Pancho Amat, international master of the tres cubanos, describes Blanco&#x27;s talent as exceptional. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Alina Amuri + Special Guests

Sousaphon

Album Release im Moods

Alina Amuri&#x27;s record launch will take place as part of the Schiffbaufest. The concert is free of charge, but we ask our guests to reserve a ticket via the link in order to have guaranteed admission. With different cultural influences and a lively and bold message, Alina Amuri manages to create magical musical moments. Born in DR Congo Kinshasa and raised in Switzerland, the singer and multi-instrumentalist has developed her own homemade style between Afro, Neo Soul and Trip Hop in the last ten years. An unforgettable voice meets Congolese percussion joy and surprising flute interludes, releasing forces where optimism returns and dancing becomes inevitable. A sound that creates a new sense of togetherness and the promise that everything will be alright. Alina Amuri&#x27;s music combines influences from Lauryn Hill, Nina Simone and Alicia Keys with a fresh, lively twist. Alina has already been selected for SRF 3 Best Talent, has been nominated for the most important Swiss music award (Swiss Music Awards) and won the Swiss Live Talent Award with her last album (Chasing Traces). At this concert Alina Amuri will present her next studio album Back To You. It is the most personal record so far and tells about her journey back to her birthplace Kinshasa, back to her family roots.

Summer Pearl

From her hometown of London, singer Summer Pearl is currently taking the music world by storm. Her sound of jazz, soul, hip-hop and dub, is reminiscent of the one of the great Erykah Badu, both powerful and touching at the same time. Summer Pearl herself describes it as &quot;a meditation on my past and a reflection of our present. It is both a personal and political message exploring black and female liberation and love gained and love lost.&quot;

Dominique Fils-Aimé

Dominique Fils-Aimé is back with a new album and after several attempts finally plays the Moods stage for the first time. Following her successful trilogy of albums that traced the history of African-American culture and history and even earned her a JUNO for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2020, comes her latest record, &quot;Our Roots Run Deep,&quot; which will be released in September 2023 on Ensoul Records. Inspired by soul icons such as Billie Holiday, Etta James and Nina Simone, the Canadian with Haitian roots tells of the wellspring of her soul and holds the audience with her voice in a soothing sonic embrace.

Banjo

Deeply influenced by Creole music as well as American jazz and folk, Leyla McCalla&#x27;s music is at once earthy, elegant, soulful and witty. Her music vibrates with three centuries of history, yet feels strikingly fresh and unique. Leyla McCalla draws inspiration from her past and present, whether it&#x27;s her Haitian heritage or her adopted home of New Orleans. The bilingual multi-instrumentalist and former member of the Grammy-winning African-American string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, has developed a distinctive sound that reflects her roots and her experiences. Her latest album, &quot;Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever,&quot; explores the legacy of Radio Haiti, the first private Creole-language radio station in Haiti, as well as the journalists who risked and lost their lives to be on the air for nearly 50 years. The result is simultaneously a work of radical performance art, historical scholarship, and personal memoir, a sweeping and powerful meditation on family, democracy, and free expression that could not have come at a better time. This concert recording was made with the support of Migros Culture Percentage.

Luedji Luna

Sampler

Disk Jockey

Moods Summer Special

Singer and songwriter Luedji Luna is a prominent name in the Brazilian music scene. Winner of numerous awards and nominated for the Latin Grammy Best MPB Album in 2022, she soon achieved notoriety far beyond the country&#x27;s borders. Her music explores and celebrates the connections between her homeland and her African roots, and addresses the marginalizations of Afro-Brazilians and women in Brazil. This theme, coupled with her soulful voice, carries an infectious energy that is already palpable in her albums or online at the NPR Tiny Desk Concert, but especially unfolds live into an unforgettable musical experience. Afterwards DJ Sampa will play the best tracks from Forró, Samba-Rock, Gafieira and Tropicalia. This event takes place in cooperation with Adalu: https://www.adalu.ch/

Leyla McCalla

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