Season 2024/25 – Concerts 2024

Dear audience

In order to offer you the most diverse repertoire possible, we want to pay respect to the past and the rich history of big band music and to continuously develop this art form. In our 24/25 concert season, we will honor the history of jazz by celebrating the centenary of the immortal Sarah Vaughan and paying tribute to two of the most important and influential big bands of all time, those of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

The Zurich Jazz Orchestra will also present several programs of new music. For our “Female Composers” series, we welcome Nikki Iles from London to the ZJO this time. In November, a dream will come true for me with the appearance of bass trombone legend Dave Taylor: he has been an inspiration to me since the 1980s, when I first heard him live in Chicago when he was on tour with the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. We’ve been talking about working together for 15 years and I’m delighted that this dream is finally coming true.

A Zurich Jazz Orchestra concert season would not be complete without a visit from our good friend Thomas Gansch. We will be recording a CD with Thomas in September 2024 and the baptism will take place in May 2025.

Sincerely, Yours
Ed Partyka

Dear audience

After an eventful year, we are entering the new season: the Jazzhaus was officially opened and we are proud to be able to rehearse in a central location and in acoustically perfect surroundings. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the most important people involved: Armin Isler (Dr. Stephan à Porta Foundation), Martin Schwager (Ken Architekten) and of course Bettina Uhlmann. The house is an absolute stroke of luck for the band!

Patrick Ottiger and René Mosele are leaving the ZJO. Many thanks to both of you for all the great music and your many years of commitment to the ZJO! Nicola Bernhard will replace Patrick in the band, René’s place will be taken by Bernhard Bamert. A warm welcome.

Our longtime drummer Pius Baschnagel is also stepping down. He has played a substantial role in shaping the band over the past twenty years, has grown musically with the band during this time and has developed into one of the most sought-after drummers in Switzerland. The vacancy of the central position for time, feel and security is a challenge. However, there are already two promising candidates at the start: Noah Weber and Peter Primus Frosch. Now it remains for me to wish you lots of enjoyment at our concerts. See and hear you soon.

Yours sincerely
Daniel Schenker