Matthias Tschopp Quartet

Miró vs. Basquiat

The concert stage as a canvas: paintings and untitled sculptures by both Swiss artists and world-famous painters serve as the starting point for Tschopp&#x27;s compositions. How do Pollock, Warhol, Basquiat and the like sound when their works are translated into musical notes? Jazz composer and baritone saxophonist Matthias Tschopp and his quartet use fine and sometimes wild brushstrokes to paint a colorful jazz artwork that looks a little different every time.

Baritone Saxophone

Piano

Bass

Drum Kit

Kal Band

Kultur Shock & Moods present

The eclectic rhythm created by the combination of Balkan music with swing, jazz, blues and pop produces a completely new and original sound that is carried through from the first to the last chord. The group was founded in 1996 and has since played thousands of concerts, including all the major European festivals such as Fusion, Sziget, Berlinale and many more. With their wit, their ability to combine different sounds and their refusal to stick to folkloristic rules, Kal are both part of the gypsy tradition and cultural activists of the 21st century.

Mario Peric

Warm Up & Afterparti

The BalkanEkstra Parti doesn&#x27;t stop at oriental sounds or Arabic rhythms - the main thing is to dance! With the legendary concert and party series Kultur Shock, Mario Peric is one of the pioneers of the Balkan scene as an organizer, DJ and producer. He has been thrilling audiences for many years with his varied, explosive and crazy sounds. His musical spectrum cannot be pinned down to one direction. The main thing is that it rocks!

Guitar

Vocals

Accordion

Violin

Florence Adooni

In short, Florence Adooni is one of the most influential vocalists of Frafra Gospel in northern Ghana, where the northern savannah meets the rainforest. In her touching and innovative arrangements, Adooni puts a contemporary veil on this vibrant musical culture. Highlife, Afrobeat and West African polyrhythms become a spiritual sound you can&#x27;t get enough of. The new album &quot;A.O.E.I.U (An Ordinary Experience In Unity)&quot; of the &quot;Queen of Fra Fra&quot; was released this February.

Saxophon

Trumpet

Keyboards

Afrobeats Explosion

The Afrobeats scene has virtually exploded in recent years, which is also reflected in the lively party scene that has developed around this genre. At the forefront from the beginning: &quot;Afrobeats Explosion&quot; at Moods. From its origins with Fela Kuti in the 70s to Wizkid – get ready for a special kind of dance explosion!

BUREAU BUREAU für die ganze Familie

Experiencing music together is the focus of the family concert series at Moods. There are no children&#x27;s songs, but rather concerts with good music that invite you to dance and marvel. In a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, young and old have the opportunity to discover the colorful world of music together and be inspired by the enthusiasm. With a colorful mixture of jazz, spoken word and wild improvisation, Bureau Bureau invites everyone to a musical adventure. Sometimes loud and boisterous, sometimes soft and playful, the three musicians create worlds of sound that captivate and entertain. A concert full of surprises for curious ears! - Duration of the concert 50-65 minutes - Kids of all ages are welcome. - We will keep the volume at a reasonable level, but we do recommend hearing protection for the little ones. - Children under the age of 12 can attend the concert free of charge, but we ask that they reserve a free ticket in the system. - Teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16 pay half price. - Can&#x27;t afford a ticket? Send us an email at info@moods.ch.

Composition

Synthesizer

BUREAU BUREAU

BUREAU BUREAU have been playing experimental music with a focus on text as a duo since 2021 and working together on various other projects: In 2022, they premiered a work for 24 musicians on the subject of glacier melt, wrote reworks of music by an ensemble of friends, played a Kirchenhall program and released their first album as a book. They won the ZKB Jazz Prize 2022 and played concerts in Switzerland and Germany. In addition to the search for something new in music, the project focuses on a thematic reference to current affairs and an interdisciplinary approach. The music of Loenne and Cina can probably be described as combining around 40 different sounds, playing loud and wild, throwing lyrics around and yet being softies at heart. Spoken word meets pop meets free improvisation. Somehow experimental music, but mostly – and above all – appealing to people who say they don&#x27;t listen to that much experimental music. BUREAU BUREAU work as an actual BUREAU for small and big stories. And sound. Sound!

Lea Maria Fries

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.

Leitung

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.

Yazz Ahmed Quartet

«A Paradise In The Hold»

With her music, British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed seeks to blur the lines between jazz and electronic sound design, bringing together the sounds of her mixed heritage in what has been described as &quot;psychedelic Arabic jazz, intoxicating and captivating.&quot; Her fourth studio album, A Paradise in the Hold, delves even deeper into her dual heritage and has produced a treasure trove that draws on traditional music and stories from her childhood home. Ahmed writes for voice for the first time, with lyrics inspired by Bahraini wedding poems and the yearning songs of pearl divers. Deeply textural, expansive and full of potent performances, the album charts the heroic voyages of the jewel hunters of yore, who sailed home through rough seas with precious cargo, and Ahmed&#x27;s own journey of self-discovery over the past decade. Her compositions invite us to groove and dance whilst embracing an introspective melancholy as we embark on a journey from London through Zurich to Bahrain and back again. In her words: &quot;I hope that through my music I can bring people together, build bridges between cultures and change the perception of women in jazz and people of Middle Eastern heritage.&quot;

Yusuf Findus

Warm Up & Afterparty

The music-listening carpet likes fruit. Cucumbers &amp; carrots too. In his day to day as jazz booker at Moods, he reads and writes countless artist bios, which is why he is committed to a world without curly parsley. Yunus will prepare a tasting menu, consisting of seven kilos of near mint records, three varieties of bağlama, market jazz from Kerns with a jus de disco &amp; soundtrack confit. For dessert: Doppio with Parsley, smooth, VSOP 1993. Kisses from the kitchen.

Flugelhorn

Vibraphon

Sina

The renowned artist Sina is celebrating her 30th anniversary. The singer has invited her loyal fans to determine the live program: The Bescht of 30 Jahre fan playlist is the result of this campaign. No-one charms and causalizes with the audience like she does, and because Sina turns every concert evening into a unique experience, it&#x27;s worth paying her and her six-piece band a visit. It&#x27;s all about giving something back to the fans, says Sina, because I&#x27;m very grateful to be able to do this job thanks to them. Celebrate with me and accompany Sina on her anniversary tour through Switzerland!

Melina Nora

Support Act

Melina Nora&#x27;s playful music tells of growing up and growing away, of setting off, arriving and returning from time to time. A balancing act between heaviness and lightness, a look out of the train window, the blinding sun on your face, the passing landscape in the periphery and your thoughts somewhere else entirely. Wallisertitschi-Indie-Popmüsig-Unplugged - light-footed, yet with depth. Fresh, fragile, free and a little rebellious! The young Valais native will open the evening with her emotional songs.

Trombone

Mãeana

Adalu & Moods present

Following a successful run in Brazil the performance Mãeana is now embarking on a tour across Europe. The repertoire blends timeless songs popularized by the Bahian João Gilberto with contemporary hits by the Pernambucan João Gomes. Juazeiro and Petrolina meet on the bridge formed by Mãeana, creating what she calls &quot;pisa nova,&quot; a fusion of the piseiro groove with the intention of bossa nova. The vocals will be accompanied by guitar and percussion, framed by Mãeana&#x27;s unique aesthetics that transform every stage she graces.

Percussion

V.I.P. Session by JUR Records

Semtex 50 bday

JUR Label founder Semtex aka Sasha is celebrating his 50th birthday and is inviting all Drum’n’Bass lovers to the ultimate birthday session. Get ready for a wild night of dancing with top-notch DJs and a hefty dose of Drum’n’Bass! He started collecting and selling vinyl at the age of 16 – then in 1991, he founded the legendary JUR Records, which continues to throw DnB parties and hip-hop concerts to this day. For his big day, Semtex has put together a killer lineup that speaks for itself: Seba (Secret Operations, Sweden) is coming through with his new album and will set the decks on fire. Klute (Commercial Suicide, London) is known for his versatile DnB sets – always full of surprises. Robyn Chaos (Therapy Sessions UK), the Queen of Darkness, will be playing a top-tier old school set – goosebumps guaranteed. And: we’re also celebrating Z-Groove’s birthday that night – Twice the reason to tear up the dancefloor! Grab your discounted presale tickets and join us for a night full of beats, bass, and good vibes with Semtex and Z-Groove. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Cheers, Semtex

Disk Jockey

Nduduzo Makhathini

Since making his international debut for Blue Note in 2020 with Modes of Communication: Letters From the Underworlds, Makhathini has earned widespread acclaim for the genuinely spiritual transcendence of his music. For Makhathini, a Zulu healer and educator who has delved deeply into the histories and traditions of his ancestors, improvised music has never been merely about aesthetics or idioms. As the New York Times put it when naming Modes of Communication one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2020: “In a moment when spiritual jazz has become a dangerously buzzy concept, trust a musician who has truly devoted his life to divination practices.” Makhathini&#x27;s third release on Blue Note, uNomkhubulwane travels beyond any existing notion of music-making to offer his most profound vision of creative mysticism yet. Here the pianist seeks inspiration on a wholly metaphysical plane — using sound as a way to commune with, as he puts it, “supernatural voices.” Makhathini’s three-movement suite takes its title from the Zulu name of “God’s only daughter and a manifestation of God’s very creation purpose,” the pianist explains. “She is also believed to be a mythical rain goddess, a regulator of nature, light and fertility.” A shapeshifting force, uNomkhubulwane can manifest in the form of an animal, or a hurricane or a rainbow — the lattermost of which, Makhathini says, symbolizes her “kindness and regulation of balance.” As always, Makhathini’s message is ultimately one of perpetual optimism for his people, and for all people. “Essentially, this offering is an invitation to humanity to cultivate ways of being that yearn for freedom and balance,” he says. “Here I invite you to a new mode of humanism that is oriented towards singing the songs of uNomkhubulwane.” What a delight and honour to welcome Nduduzo Makhathni to moods for the third time for an evening of shared music, spirituality and philosophy.

Sélène Saint-Aimé String Trio

Sélène Saint-Aimé only appeared on the music scene a few years ago and has already developed a strong, independent identity. With a father from Martinique and a Franco-Ivorian mother, she describes herself as an Afro-descendant. Accordingly, her musical identity is clearly cosmopolitan, as she is influenced by both her roots and her travels. In this exclusive concert series, she will reinterpret songs from Louisiana, the West Indies and La Réunion and get to the bottom of her Creole identity. She will be accompanied by Cedric Watson, one of the most distinguished violinists for Creole Southern music, and Guillaume Latil, one of the most sought-after jazz cellists.

Cello

Hammond organ

Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Thomas Gansch

Album Release «Neat Little Songs»

The long and very fruitful artistic relationship between Thomas Gansch and the ZJO has now been immortalized on a studio recording. This new CD will be presented on May 22nd at Moods. The program consists exclusively of compositions by Thomas Gansch, arranged by Ed Partyka. In addition to Thomas, the soloists of the ZJO can also be heard extensively. The music is profound and humorous at the same time and combines elements of jazz, classical and folk music with unexpected detours into the world of film music and 20th century pop culture. Almost exactly eleven years have passed since Thomas Gansch&#x27;s first performance with the ZJO. Today he is a good friend of the band and a favorite of the ZJO audience. The basic concept therefore remains the same for the joint CD: musical fireworks, fun, unconventional, crazy. Gansch and the ZJO have already performed everything imaginable together: Gil Evans, Don Ellis, their own music. And Thomas Gansch&#x27;s own music can now be heard on the new CD. Thomas Gansch and Ed Partyka have known each other for half an eternity. They met in 1999 at the Vienna Art Orchestra, and later Ed Partyka also played in Thomas Gansch&#x27;s band Gansch &amp; Roses. We have known each other for so long, but until now I have never had the opportunity to arrange his music for a jazz orchestra. I am very pleased that this has finally become possible and that we can present this special program with new arrangements with the ZJO on a joint disc, says Ed Partyka. Thomas Gansch not only has a keen awareness of the history of popular music and jazz, his roots also extend to Alpine folk music and the entire history of European classical music. All this profound knowledge is wrapped up in Viennese humor and presented with a great stage show and virtuoso trumpet playing. Listening to him, you get the impression that playing the trumpet is very easy.

Altsaxophon

Tenorsaxophon

Bassposaune

Tuba

FORQ

Yeah! FORQ is back! Originally formed by pianist Henry Hey (who played in the bands of David Bowie, Rod Stewart...) and Michael League, the all-star band from New York has just released their sixth album &quot;Big Party&quot; last year. Instead of League Eli Menezes now plays bass, who has shared the stage with Richard Bona and Lauryn Hill, but otherwise everything remains the same with Chris MqQueen (Snarky Puppy, Bokanté) and Jason &quot;JT&quot; Thomas (Snarky Pully, Roy Hargrove, D&#x27;Angelo) on drums.

Ms. Hyde

From researched obscurities to disco-funky grooves and hits with format. Exclusively vinyl.

Melike Şahin

jazzhane & Moods present

Singer, songwriter, and composer Melike Şahin is Istanbul&#x27;s latest shining star. Known to be the modern «Turkish Diva», Melike is an unconventional modern pop icon. Aficionados of psychedelia will remember her voice from the legendary Turkish psychedelic band BaBa Zula, and indeed Melike&#x27;s music draws from her earlier artistic journey. Signature and euphoric guitar riffs, organs, and synthesizers seamlessly blend with her modern interpretation of Anatolian pop, a style she calls «Mediterranean Arabesque». Her bittersweet and poignant lyrics are a continuation of the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. A passionate storyteller, Melike powerfully sings about womanhood, equality, and resilience. In «Bedelini Ödedim» («I paid the price») she sings «I deserve every inch of this proud smile» and «No way I&#x27;d break down, see I got back on my feet again». Her songs have become feminist anthems at women&#x27;s rallies in Turkey.  Having collaborated with award-winning musicians around the globe, Melike will release her second studio album Akkor in late 2024 and perform in Switzerland for the first time in May 2025!

Anıl

Warm Up & Afterparty 

Co-founder of jazzhane, Anıl believes that his search for melancholy in music and the perception of home (or the lack thereof) is a search for belonging: a feeling that can be fictitious. Believing that stories are told through music, Anıl blends melodramatic tunes from Anatolia and the Levant with the Andalusian cadence, Rumba, or Cumbia, accompanied by deep basslines. Depending on the night and setting, the stories can be dark, joyful, ecstatic, or humorous, oftentimes energetic and with explosive energy.

E-Gitarre

E-Bass

Greg Foat

He is a jazz pianist, composer, music producer - and a fixture on the London jazz scene: Greg Foat. In his pieces, Foat mixes jazz and ambient with electronic influences, creating unique soundscapes that invite immersion and exploration. Greg Foat is an innovator, always pushing the boundaries of his music. He recently collaborated with Venetian electro legend Gigi Masin on the critically acclaimed «Dolphin». His creativity knows no bounds. His live releases are proof of this. On «Live at Can Rudayla, Ibiza», for example, he fuses analogue synthesizers with ambient house and space jazz, while on «Live at Villa Maximus, Mykonos», he combines more cosmic jazz sounds with psychedelic elements. Foat will perform at Moods with the living groove machine Moses Boyd. The young jazz drummer, who turns 34 this year, has been described by the Guardian as the poster boy of London&#x27;s jazz revival.

Quinteto Astor Piazzolla

The music of Astor Piazzolla lives on! For over twenty years, the Quinteto Astor Piazzolla has been dedicated to the artistic legacy of the Argentinian composer and bandoneon virtuoso. Both classics and lesser-known pieces introduce us to the sonic kaleidoscope and intoxicating rhythms of tango nuevo. The Piazzolla Quinteto is the only project authorised by Piazzolla&#x27;s widow that has access to the huge estate of the old master. Having already won two Latin Grammy Awards for their albums, their latest album &#x27;Oblivion&#x27; is due for release in 2025.

Bandoneon

SOFIA @ JazzBaragge 

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio—or simply DLO3—burst onto the scene with their 2016 debut Close But No Cigar, quickly topping the U.S. jazz charts. To best prepare for the live concert in Zurich, we recommend checking out their live album Live at KEXP!. This recording overflows with frenetic joy and features a mix of DLO3 originals alongside timeless classics like Curtis Mayfield’s masterpiece, “Move On Up.” Since their beginnings in Seattle, the band has been delivering rhythmic soul with organ solos that feel like Lamarr’s fingers are chasing each other across the keys. Their compositions often evolve from his nimble touch, with the rest of the trio weaving their own intricate patterns around it. While comparisons to Booker T. &amp; the M.G.’s are inevitable, DLO3 carves out their own sound. As Lamarr himself describes it, the band plays “soul music with strong jazz influences”—making them the perfect fit for a night at Moods! While Lamarr while take on the Hammond Organ duties, he will be joined by Josh Perdue on guitar and Ehsaan Karimi on drums.

Hollabackshroom

Warm-Up & Afterparty

Exclusively vinyl - funk, disco, jazz, country, rock and everything in between. Hollabackshroom is from Zurich and works in Zurich&#x27;s nightlife.

Pachyman

Puerto Rico native Pachy García started playing guitar at a young age but his developing interest for early Jamaican music made him switch to piano &amp; bass instead. It wasn’t until he relocated to Los Angeles that he began self teaching himself drums. Around that time he formed the band Prettiest Eyes and started collecting inexpensive recording equipment that he found at thrift stores and second hand music shops. After having enough gear to make his own recordings out of his basement, Pachy began recording music to pay homage to the early reggae pioneers he grew up listening to. He named the studio &quot;333 House&quot; and started learning techniques used by the engineers responsible for shaping the sound of early dub reggae, particularly Scientist and King Tubby. The recording process of the music was documented on his Instagram account with videos that showed him playing every instrument and ultimately mixing the end result in one live dub take.

Buzz (Boss Hi-Fi)

BUZZ needs no introduction. 16 Tons: fantastic records, beautiful furniture. Boss Hi-Fi: best reggae DJs. Just the right person for the warm-up and the afterparty!

LAYENA

«Arcades»

Formed in 2021, the band developed its early musical identity through long jam sessions playing around repetitive loops, vocal styles influenced by Nigerian Afrobeat and EDM, as well as long improvised interludes. Three years of playing and touring together propelled the music to what it is today: a modern and generous soundscape, intimately connected to the harmonic language of Jazz, spreading its wings through the tradition of Italian chanson.    LAYENA operates as a true collective, where responsibilities spanning composition, booking, IT, management, and finances are shared and organized amongst all its members. In December 2023, the band recorded its debut album, &quot;Arcades&quot; at Relief Studio in Belfaux (CH), which was officially released in September 2024. Of course, playing music remains a priority and LAYENA will share their music with us in May 2025.

J'Peux Tim

J&#x27;peux Tim, originally from Kosovo, is the co-founder and was co-owner of Kasheme Zürich and the founder of the Spirit Music Society music label. He has been spinning records in Switzerland and abroad for nearly a decade. Dance music, Jazz Fusion and Spiritual Jazz make his heart beat a tick faster.

Michael Wollny Trio

«Living Ghosts 2025»

For pianist Michael Wollny, the trio with bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Eric Schaefer is the constant in his otherwise constantly changing cosmos of collaborations. The three musicians share an almost inexhaustible musical vocabulary, an outstanding sensitivity when playing together and the ability to constantly create new music of tremendous tension and dynamism from the moment. The band is a unity of three unmistakable characters: Michael Wollny is regarded as one of the most important European pianists of his generation. His playing blends influences from jazz, classical music, indie pop, new and early music to create an unmistakable personal style. Wollny has been playing together with drummer Eric Schaefer for more than 20 years. They share a deep intimacy and at the same time the ability to surprise and challenge each other time and again. American Tim Lefebvre forms the foundation of the trio, with a weighty tone, rock-solid groove and a fine sense of dramaturgy. Together, Wollny, Schaefer and Lefebvre create music of exuberant dynamics, boundless variety and maximum urgency. With reference to the origins of the piano trio format, the British Jazzwise Magazine writes: The Michael Wollny Trio makes it clear that we are living in the 21st century and not in the 1960s!

Anna Frey & Vera Kappeler

The pianist and harmonium player Vera Kappeler and the rapper and lyricist Anna Frey got to know each other in a so-called men&#x27;s pub, where they sat together at the bar until the early hours of the morning. That was many years ago. Now they are performing together again. As a duo, with undivided attention for each other&#x27;s playing. Vera Kappeler has long had an affinity for texts and their musicality, while Anna Frey has devoted herself increasingly to the musical-improvisational reading of her texts over the past few years. We can look forward to the interplay between these two musicians and the interweaving of sound and language. The concert is also the vernissage of Anna Frey&#x27;s second book FEST, which will be published by &quot;verlag die brotsuppe&quot;. Especially for this evening a book table will be provided by the Buchhandlung Volkshaus.

Flo Stoffner, Chris Corsano, John Butcher

&quot;Quiet Is The New Loud&quot; was a Kings of Convenience album from 2001 and also reflected the feeling for music of at least parts of this generation. It also works as a motto for the trio of John Butcher, Chris Corsano and Florian Stoffner. Their music differs from boisterous, powerful free jazz in that they refrain from playing their instruments very loudly. In fact, this is music for concentrated listening rather than for rocking along or even headbanging. It is more about precise musicality, crystal-clear interjections and a certain gentle thoughtfulness, but of course also about sound exploration and design. This results in tectonic sound worlds that press against each other. At their concerts, you sometimes get the feeling of standing in a machine room with a birdhouse full of exotic birds at its center. Butcher, Corsano and Stoffner don&#x27;t need excessive volume or solos to entice you into a standing ovation to get their message across. Their message is written in elegant lowercase letters and rarely used acoustic fonts.

Saisonabschluss

Carte Blanche Special

Franziska Bruecker, Roberto Domeniconi, Dave Gisler, Simon Grab, Victoria Mozalevskaya, Lucas Niggli, Jonas Ruther, Tizia Zimmermann

The carte blanche evenings at Moods are something special. Curated by leading Swiss jazz musicians, these evenings invite you to discover and inspire. And what&#x27;s better than an artist&#x27;s carte blanche evening? When all the musicians join forces. Every year, the Moods Musicians&#x27; Council selects Swiss musicians for a Carte Blanche. With a budget of 11,000 francs, they are free to organise their projects as they wish. There are (almost) no limits – be it concerts, sound installations or invitations to guest musicians. Dave Gisler, Franziska Bruecker, Jonas Ruther, Lucas Niggli, Roberto Domeniconi, Simon Grab, Tizia Zimmermann and Victoria Mozalevskaya have come up with something special to close this year&#x27;s Carte Blanche season at Moods. Solo, trio or all together: Moods Carte Blanche artists will showcase their talents in a variety of constellations on 6th June. Instead of concentrating on their own musical creations, as they did in their individual shows, they will create unique soundscapes together on this evening. Familiar patterns and genre boundaries are completely ignored. For example, while Simon Grab - the noisemaker par excellence - is completely electronic, Victoria Mozalevskaya originally comes from classical music and has now dedicated herself to contemporary jazz. Worlds will collide, we promise.

Electronics

Christoph Grab's ROOT AREA & Guests

Album Release «In Pursuit of Happiness»

ROOT AREA stands for soul jazz. After three years, the top-class line-up, consisting of Christoph Grab and Nicole Johänntgen on saxophones, Marcel Thomi on Hammond organ and Elmar Frey on drums, is now making an impressive return with its new album In Pursuit Of Happiness. For the album release at Moods, Zurich guitarist Michael Bucher will also be accompanying the band. With the new album, ROOT AREA consistently continues their idea of integrating a wide variety of grooves into their music and using them as a foundation for their original compositions and improvisations. Whether bluesy boogaloo, gospel ballads, New Orleans grooves, quirky reggae or Afrobeats - ROOT AREA combine deep musical roots with the present.

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.

Majur

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.

The Trans Flag Vogue Night

Adalu & Swiss Godmother HAUSVRAU Laveaux & Moods present

Godmother HAUSVRAU Laveaux is throwing a vogue night to celebrate the Trans community and remind us all that Trans is beautiful and Trans is powerful. A vogue night is a ballroom format that brings a fabulous party with categories from Ballroom. The night is focused on the ballroom community, Trans allies and all who appreciate and respect the culture. A space for experimentation and joy, where the musical journey will go from House to ballroom beats, always serving an element of extravagance and power.

Producer

Director

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy

With the track «Mam Yinne Wa»e Alogte Oho &amp; His Sounds of Joy set an unmistakable exclamation mark and put the gospel of the Frafra from northern Ghana on the musical map of the world. This was followed by a busy concert schedule in Europe and enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike. “O Yinne” is now the second album by Alogte Oho &amp; His Sounds of Joy. The gospel choir singing, which is reminiscent of the trombones of Jericho in intensity, is the brand core of the group alongside the melodic brass interjections, the flashing synthesizer accents and the heavily grooving rhythm section. However, anyone who thinks of what is commonly referred to as Gospel when hearing the word will be surprised, because gospel here only refers to the textual content. Musically, it&#x27;s an Afro-futuristic firework of pentatonic vocal explosions, carried by rolling West African rhythms.

Try a little tenderness

Brandy Butler

&quot;Try a little tenderness&quot; is a project that strengthens the vision of a connective and collective society in times of great discord. By focusing on building solidarity, connecting the past with the present, and imagining just and community-led futures through the power of music, the project opens up spaces for people to remember our shared humanity in a collective form, while igniting hope. Inspired by Nina Simone&#x27;s powerful 1976 performance in Montreux and her song Four Women, &quot;Try a little tenderness&quot; is a theatrical concert evening that brings together four exceptional Black female vocalists – Brandy Butler, Celina Bostic, Melissa Laveaux, and Tracy September – to explore the complexities and diversity of different experiences through the lens of Black womanhood. Through music and spoken word, rooted in personal and collective experiences, the concert seeks to create a space for reflection, connection, and empowerment. Honoring the legacy of many Black female singers, truth-tellers, and griots of their time, this concert channels the emotions and struggles of today, offering a platform for shared stories of possibilty. The concert aims to serve as a vessel for comfort, healing, and collectivity.

Dramaturgy

Ydivide

Album Release «The Default»

Following the internationally acclaimed debut album «Lumumba», Intakt Records will release the second CD «The Default» by Ydivide in 2025. Many important drummers are great band leaders. With their overview, sense of rhythm and form, they provide guidance for the band. During his many years of artistic activity as a drummer in various formations, Clemens Kuratle has developed an individual language as a composer and drummer. He is considered one of the most original drummers of the younger generation, and one of his greatest achievements is the initiation of and continuous work with the band Ydivide, a British-Irish-Swiss collaboration. This quintet brings together the young British jazz scene with saxophonist Dee Byrne, Elliot Galvin on piano, Irish guitarist Chris Guilfoyle, the outstanding Swiss bassist Lukas Traxel and mastermind Clemens Kuratle. Clemens Kuratle and Ydivide have extraordinary musical and technical skills and have developed their very own musical language over the years. Ydivide has something to say: the music is driven by the urgent questions and conflicts that this generation, and the next, have to face. The compositions from the pen of Kuratle reflect political and social issues. Since over 40 years, the Zurich-based label Intakt Records reflects musical and social developments and presents counter-worlds. It is with great pleasure that we will celebrate the beginning of an album, as well as the end of the current season together with Intakt Records.

Barbatuques

Moods Summer Special

Barbatuques scored a hit with Baianá in 2005, which later became the World Cup anthem in Brazil and led to countless remixes. However, to reduce the group from São Paulo to one track would not do them justice. With their mixture of body percussion, vocal music and influences from various Brazilian styles, funk, electronics and rap, Barbatuques have created their own unmistakable sound aesthetic and thus contributed significantly to the worldwide spread of body percussion. Their music has been used for various film, commercial and video game soundtracks and has led to performances in over 30 countries. 25 years after their formation, they return with a new stage show that includes new material as well as their older hits.

Body

Son Rompe Pera

Originally performing alongside their father at local events since they were kids, Son Rompe Pera now find themselves at the forefront of the contemporary international cumbia scene with their sonic explorations of the classic marimba. Their unique blend of sounds comes as the result of a typical youthful rebellion, when as teenagers they left behind their marimba upbringing and began to play in various punk and psychobilly bands. Now they´ve come full circle, incorporating the marimba together with their rock influences, giving it a new twist never before seen. Their live shows are a sweaty mess of dancing fans, and this garage-cumbia-marimba punk band never disappoints on stage. Their authenticity shines through as they give their modern interpretation of Mexican, Peruvian, and Colombian classics, as well as their own original material and some surprise covers. The contrast of the traditional marimba with their youthful attitude and street sense connects the audience to the past while they dance into the future.

BUZZ needs no introduction. 16 Tons: fantastic records, beautiful furniture. Boss Hi-Fi: best reggae DJs He will play one of his fantastic cumbia sets after Son Rompe Pera. ¡Fuego!

Marimba

Streetparade Special

Afrobeats Explosion & Dancehall Mood present

Afrobeats Explosion and Dancehall Mood are teaming up for this street parade and present you the best that the current Afrobeats, dancehall and reggae scene in Zurich has to offer. An evening full of Afrobeats and dancehall hits as well as reggae rarities. Get ready for a dance explosion of a special kind!

BaianaSystem

Moods & Adalu present at Rote Fabrik

BaianaSystem is bringing the &quot;Lundu Rock Show&quot; to Europe for the first time, celebrating its Afro-rock roots. This show combines the albums &quot;O Futuro Não Demora&quot; (2019) and the new &quot;O Mundo Dá Voltas&quot; (2025). The tour starts in September and includes ten shows in various European countries. The &quot;Lundu Rock Show&quot; presents the group in its folkloric and rock form, bringing together the traditions of Afro-Bahian music with Brazilian pop culture. The line-up remains unchanged from the previous tour and includes musicians such as Russo Passapusso and Roberto Barreto. Lead singer Passapusso describes the show as an artistic movement that updates and urbanizes Brazil&#x27;s African musical roots. Lundu, a cultural manifestation of African origin, is reinterpreted and fused with the group&#x27;s characters. BaianaSystem, founded in 2009, has released several albums and performs internationally, including at renowned festivals in Europe and Brazil. Their music combines Afro-Brazilian rhythms, rock, pop and other forms of cultural expression.

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.

Gisela Horat Trio

Album Release «Live in Leipzig»

Having grown up in a musical environment in a small mountain village in Uri, pianist, composer and bandleader Gisela Horat founded her eponymous trio in 2009. Drummer Samuel Büttiker and bassist Simon Iten have been on board since May 2015. Both are experienced musicians with impressive versatility. The trio tells musical stories that life writes in all its shades. Based on musical sketches and composed songs by the pianist, exciting encounters between composition and improvisation arise, which are characterized by the different worlds of experience of the individual musicians. In numerous concerts, the three have developed their interplay and their own band sound, inspiring audiences with their strong stage presence and the intense expression of their music. In addition to the influences of Eric Satie, Bill Evans, Enrico Pieranunzi, Esbjörn Svensson, The Necks and Sylvie Courvoisier, the pianist&#x27;s classical background is also unmistakable. This lends a harmonious framework to her lyrical and painterly playing, which also appeals to a non-jazz-savvy audience. We are delighted to welcome Gisela and her trio to Moods for the first time.

Nik West

Explosive stage presence isn&#x27;t enough to describe the way Nik West moves, wows, and shocks crowds everywhere. She is a real life gumby on stage, all while singing, dancing, and slapping the hell out of her bass guitar! With credits that include work with artists such as, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, Prince, John Mayer, Glee and more, bassist, singer and songwriter Nik West is anything more than just another pretty face. Bass giant and former member of James Brown&#x27;s band, Bootsy Collins, said of her: &quot;Nik has clearly put the &#x27;groovement&#x27; of funk back where it belongs and I love everything she stands for.&quot; More flamboyant than ever, she&#x27;s ready to bewitch us with her unbridled funk and explosive tracks that occasionally veer towards rock or jazz. Beware, her technique is unstoppable, her powerful voice will tear you apart and her energy seems inexhaustible.

Stefan Rusconi Solo

SOLACE

Stefan Rusconi was quiet for a long time. The reason behind this is a tragic one. A good nine years ago, he found his friend and bassist dead in his hotel room while on tour. The Swiss pianist&#x27;s world fell apart and he was overcome by dark feelings. Relationships with loved ones, projects, music, dreams, fatherhood all fell apart. But Rusconi did not give up and fought his way back bit by bit. His friends helped him - with a lot of gentleness, tenderness and loving words. They gave him solace and now Rusconi is giving Solace back through music. With this album, which is brimming with gentleness and vulnerability, he wants to give back some of the comfort and hope - everything that he had lost and was allowed to rediscover. Or as he puts it himself: This album is my encouragement to everyone to never give up and to face their demons. It is my invitation to go deep into the inner darkness and emerge stronger.

Andreas Schaerer’s Hildegard Lernt Fliegen

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.

Reeds

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Jean-Paul Brodbeck

Rosenwinkel and Brodbeck team up again off the heels of their successful firstcollaboration “The Chopin Project”. This time, with their telepathic quartet intact, they tackle the music of Johannes Brahms. Brodbeck&#x27;s new arrangements take up the yearning melodies and classical-romantic harmonic structures of Johannes Brahms and find a new form of expression with these familiar and carefully selected compositions. The &quot;folk style&quot; to which Brahms felt connected becomes a refreshing jazz sound in which the ritual element of Hungarian dances is revived, as well as the touching beauty of the late piano pieces. Rosenwinkel&#x27;s long expanding phrases meet the refined orchestrations of Brodbeck, Traxel and Rossy. The familiar enters a new framework of earthy, groovy music, out of which ascends sublime improvisation.

Peter Somuah Group

Peter Somuah is a gifted trumpeter who learned to play by listening endlessly to his trumpet heroes Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Hargrove. Somuah stands out with his warm and melancholic sound, as well as the rhythmic prowess reflecting his upbringing surrounded by the music styles native to West Africa. He touches his audiences and makes them groove. In 2021 Somuah won the Erasmus Jazz award for young jazz talent, and in 2022 he won the prestigious Edison Jazz Award with his debut album Outer Space. In June 2024, Somuah worked on a project with the WDR Big Band playing his own compositions, arranged and conducted by the musical cosmopolitan Michael Mossman. His latests album &quot;Highlife&quot; takes listeners on a vibrant journey through the rich musical heritage of Peter Somuah’s Ghanaian roots and the innovative world of jazz. Drawing from his early years playing highlife music in Accra, and blending it with influences from legends like Miles Davis, Somuah creates a unique sound that bridges generations. The album showcases a rich tapestry of instruments, from highlife’s signature rhythmic guitars and percussion to Somuah’s radiant trumpet, weaving a captivating dialogue between highlife and modern jazz. Recorded with vintage analogue equipment, Highlife captures the warmth and grit of 1960s highlife, while propelling the genre into new territories. This album is not only a celebration of Ghana’s musical legacy but also a statement of pride, addressing themes of colonialism and self-empowerment, inviting listeners to reflect and dance to the rhythms of both history and the future of jazz.

W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc)

WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) were the biggest rock band in Zambia in the 1970s and were at the forefront of a new genre known as zamrock. They fused influences ranging from the Rolling Stones to Black Sabbath to James Brown and mixed them with traditional African rhythms and songs. At the height of their popularity, the band often needed the police to keep fans at bay while their lead singer Jagari - whose name is an Africanization of Mick Jagger&#x27;s name - roughed up the crowd. As Zambia&#x27;s economy stagnated and the country suffered from the AIDS crisis, WITCH disbanded. Jagari, now the only surviving member of the original line-up, retreated to a life of quasi-anonymity as a university music professor before being wrongfully arrested in Zambia&#x27;s darkest hour. Now in his 60s and spending his time mining gemstones, WITCH didn&#x27;t receive much attention outside of their home country until 2012, when Now Again Records reissued their entire discography. Their last concert at Moods 2023 was certainly a highlight of the year and we are therefore delighted that the band is returning.

LINA_

An unmistakable, expressive voice and expansive music based on fado: this is &#x27;Fado Camões&#x27;, the album by Portuguese singer and composer LINA_. Fado Camões&#x27; is a unique composition based on the classic poetry of Portugal&#x27;s most famous historical poet, Luís Vaz de Camões. &quot;I became curious, I wanted to know more, beyond the &#x27;Lusíadas&#x27; or &#x27;Sonetos&#x27;&quot;, explains LINA_, &quot;and I discovered that his themes - change, childhood, love, heartbreak or the description of nature - fit into the context of fado and its metrics.&quot; The simple elegance of the recent past is still there, but now there is a new spaciality in which the voice stands out amidst the silence of guitar and violin. It&#x27;s about language, writing, poetry and the structure of Camões&#x27; poems, combined with the expression and &#x27;saudade&#x27; of fado.

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, Dave Taylor, Peter Erskine and Wolfgang Puschnig pay their respects to Gansch and play together with Michael Hornek, Albert Wieder, Florian Trübsbach, Fabian Rucker - and of course the birthday boy himself.

Emmet Cohen

Emmet Cohen celebrates the jazz tradition: the finest jazz, with swing, precision and, in the words of Downbeat Magazine, &quot;a nimble touch, measured step and warm harmonic vocabulary&quot;. He sees himself as a mediator between the audience and his fellow musicians, who in addition to his trio have included Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Tootie Heath and George Coleman. In other words, Emmet Cohen brings a fresh palette of sounds to classic jazz forms with an almost unparalleled mastery and passion. Back at Moods after a packed show in 2024.

Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots

lda Nielsen&#x27;s life was turned upside down when she joined music legend Prince in 2010 and began touring with &quot;The New Power Generation&quot; and the 4-piece powerhouse rock band &quot;3rdeyegirl&quot;. She describes playing with Prince as the most magical musical journey ever. An ongoing learning experience beyond imagination. This journey continues after her years with Prince with a remarkable solo career. In 2019 she was voted one of the top ten bassists in the world in the annual Music Radar poll (along with other greats such as Stanley Clarke &amp; Victor Wooten). Ida Nielsen &amp; The Funkbots deliver an energetic funk show full of good vibes, tight grooves and subtle references to her former employer and teacher Prince. Back at Moods for the 3rd time, for fans of funk, groove, Prince, Nik West and The Next Movement.

Orchestra Baobab

Orchestra Baobab has been on stage for over 50 years! The Senegalese band was founded in 1970, ten years after the country&#x27;s independence, and created the soundtrack of the young nation with its mixture of traditional music and influences from all over the world. Over the years, the line-up has of course changed, but what makes Orchestra Baobab what it is today has remained the same: An irrepressible joy of playing and the unmistakable mix of Afro-Latin American styles, international pop and traditional griot music. Tour presented by ByteFM

Congas

Timbales

Monobloco

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 passions. The anniversary is being celebrated under the motto Nossa Histôria 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.

Cavaquinho

Snare Drum

Tamburin

Surdo

Manou Gallo

From the small town of Divo in Ivory Coast, the path of the energetic bassist, drummer, and singer led her to the world’s biggest stages. 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.

Jowee Omicil

Bwa KaYimaN FreeDoM SuiTe

Jowee Omicil is a tireless border crosser who is 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 is carried by a mystical air of rebellion and memory. Born in Montréal to Haitian parents, Jowee Omicil combines his origins, encounters, travels and discoveries in his music to create a unique expression of curiosity and authenticity. Full of energy and joie de vivre, Jowee is a passionate entertainer who delights audiences with his melodies and grooves. His music combines the freedom of jazz, the depth of gospel and pulsating beats that surprise, refresh and energize - a boost of energy for the soul. His latest album, Spiritual Healing: Bwa Kayiman Freedom Suite, is inspired by the Vodou ceremony of the Bois Caïman in 1791, a historic turning point that heralded the Haitian slave uprising and the path to independence. Jowee brings this irrepressible longing for freedom to the stage with impressive virtuosity and boundless generosity - an electrifying combination that captivates and inspires the audience - his secret recipe: no two concerts are the same, so each one is a premiere in its own right.

The Tiger Lillies

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