Melodic jazz with avant-garde influences.

In “Transient Bodies”, saxophonist Moritz Stahl deliberately avoids any stylistic constraints and opens himself completely to the unexpectedness of the moment. He improvises with a warm tone and playful intensity, burning with curiosity and bursting with expressiveness. Elegant and with well-balanced dynamics, he combines experimental approaches with his love for accessible structures. Pianist Marie Kruttli supports him with atmospheric harmonies, Etienne Renard inspires with his versatile bass playing, and Korean drummer Sun-Mi Hong completes the sound with her seemingly unlimited spectrum of rhythmic timbres. In keeping with its basic character, “Transient Bodies” is an acoustic quartet that organically weaves in electronic elements.

• Tu and We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.moritzstahl.com

An enchanting tête-à-tête of jazz and world music.

Like the delicate pink tones of the rising sun, the music of this fine duo warms the heart and soul. The sometimes smoky, lyrical, then percussive melodies of the bass clarinet gently caress the rhythmically concise, sparkling sounds of the harp and immerse the audience in a tender dream world that brings a smile to their faces. So: close your eyes, lean back, relax, breathe deeply and enjoy this beautiful, atmospheric set.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.jangalegabroennimann.ch

An enchanting dialogue between jazz and Greek and Romanian traditions.

With quiet charm, this duo defies any rigid genre categorisation. From complex classical compositions to jazz rhythms and stories from the Balkans, it takes the audience on an enchanting journey. In this journey, the liveliness of folklore merges with the cosmopolitan influence of contemporary music landscapes. Like a feather, Evi Filippou dances with her sparkling, lyrical improvisations on the vibraphone over Robert Lucaciu's challenging, versatile bass lines. The light, mindful melodies of the two musicians merge and separate again to create indefinable spaces in between.

• Th, 21:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.evifilippou.com

• Fr, 16:00 hrs ❘ Museum Tinguely

• Details

With groovy longing in search of the essence.

Conic Rose immediately captivates the audience with its intense images of dark, mystical city drives and light-filled moments. The musicians' gripping sound aesthetic is much more than just the sum of their different styles, ranging from indie pop and jazz to electronica. Trumpeter Konstantin Döben hypnotises with his hoarse, spherical tone, which floats through the wistful soundscapes of guitarist Bertram Burkert and keyboardist Johannes Arzberger. The dynamic impulses of bassist Franziska Aller and the stoic drums of Nicholas Stampf provide the necessary depth and structure.An atmospheric concert that lingers long after it's over.The debut album “Heller Tag” was released in 2023 on Bandcamp.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.conicrose.com

Authentic, rousing Cuban dance music.

Cubans like to refer to son as the mother of all rhythms. It gave rise to guaracha, bolero, cha cha cha, rumba and, last but not least, salsa. Since Afro-Cuban cultural heritage can also be heard in jazz, these musical forms have a well-deserved place at bird's eye. Son Alarde immerses itself in traditional Cuban music with passion and pulsating energy, mixed with funk and reggaeton. The band also revives almost forgotten rhythms such as dengue, Mozambique and changuí, thus supporting their preservation and dissemination. A concert that will have you off your stools and your hips swaying.

• Su, 18:00 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.sonalarde.com

A fascinating symbiosis of contemporary jazz, groove and free expression.

The new project by renowned Slovenian saxophonist Jure Pukl is his personal, rousing musical response to AI. His credo: music is still most powerful, beautiful, wild, lyrical and sensual when played live by musicians in front of an audience. His versatile sound captivates with broken, technically sophisticated rhythms, modern, elegant bass lines and powerful saxophone sounds. The expressive yet guided, melodic improvisations form the language of the musicians, who all have their own perspective yet do not seek to prove anything. With patience, close interplay and sublime virtuosity, they search for the authentic core instead of losing themselves in superficialities and artificialities.

• Tu and We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.unitrecords.com/artists/jure-pukl

The BJO plays the music of Claudia Döffinger.

Our local big band never fails to thrill audiences with its sophisticated, beautiful music. This creative hub for musicians and composers from Basel presents elegant, multifaceted big band sound, contemporary jazz and a dash of international flair. This Thursday, the orchestra will perform an exquisite selection of compositions by Claudia Döffinger, who will also conduct the performance herself.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.baseljazzorchestra.com

Instant composing with lyrical melodies and fluid rhythms.

Pianist Pablo Held has made a name for himself internationally with his trio. With a vibrant confidence, he transcends the boundaries between composition and improvisation, deliberately eschewing a predetermined sequence of themes. The risk of radical spontaneity drives him to weave the central thread with care and versatility, without losing the atmospheric intensity. With a distinctive and original aesthetic, the trio impresses on every level. To mark its 20th anniversary, the trio is inviting the outstanding British trumpeter Alexandra Ridout to join them in May; she captivates audiences with her robust, versatile tone and adds a special sparkle to the trio’s performances.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.pabloheld.com
  www.offbeat-concert.ch

A top-class tête-à-tête.

Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel is one of the defining voices of contemporary jazz. In the sensitive pianist Colin Vallon from French-speaking Switzerland, he has found a congenial, equal partner. In this drumless line-up, the two create an astonishing rhythmic density and nuanced energy, coupled with a melodic depth that captivates. The musicians masterfully and brilliantly blend the intimate atmosphere of chamber music with the dynamism and complexity of jazz rhythms. Their subtle perception results in a nuanced sound that sustains the tension and gives rise to an impressive musical cosmos of quiet yet essential tones.

• Tu, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.wolfgangmuthspiel.com
  www.colinvallon.com
  www.offbeat-concert.ch

As part of their release tour, the Chamber Trio is also coming to the bird’s eye.

On this evening, the duo expands into a Chamber Trio with the attentive, lyrical trumpeter Mario Rom and gives an impressive performance of their brand-new work “ATLAS”, which has just been released on the Clap Your Hands label. With its unusual line-up of guitar, trumpet and piano, it unfolds a multi-layered, sophisticated soundscape that flows seamlessly between jazz and chamber music. With subtle interplay, open improvisation and a distinct, precise sense of timbre, the musicians captivate the audience. Even without bass and drums, they make the music blossom and groove.

• We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.wolfgangmuthspiel.com

A fascinating blend of subtle folk, poetic experimentation and hybrid, jazzy ambient.

In his second solo project, «Pink Dawn», Sheldon Suter explores his personal sound even more intensively, characterised by free improvisation, diverse musical languages, eras and seemingly incompatible genres that collide in beautiful harmony.Using his own self-developed arsenal of percussion instruments and electronic effects, Suter adopts a more compositional approach that oscillates between dreamlike soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms. A multi-layered, meditative, hallucinatory world that gently transports the audience into a state of trance and contemplation.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.sheldonsuter.bandcamp.com

A beguiling fusion of voice and electronics.

In her project “To Be Born”, Alessandra Diodati explores the human voice beyond its traditional boundaries, drawing on ancient techniques such as overtone singing and pre-verbal sounds. She experiments with texts and words in their semantic function and also detached from their conventional meaning, so that they exist in their purest form of sound and timbre. In this way, language becomes both narrative and raw sound material. Music that celebrates the most authentic expression of being human, in which the voice becomes a universal instrument of emotion.

• Th, 21:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.alessandradiodati.com

Jazz, folk and chamber music meet Iceland’s rugged beauty.

On her new album “Circles”, Swiss accordionist Lea Gasser explores intimate soundscapes and rhythmic complexity. The compositions, featuring lyrical melodies, striking bass lines and atmospheric textures, were created during a residency in Iceland that has left an audible mark. Images of rugged landscapes, melancholic expanses and the cyclical movement of nature and time flow into her music, at times lively and dancing, at others dreamy and unhurried. On the first evening, the band will also be enriched by the authentic, warm voice of Sibyl Hofstetter.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.leagasser.ch
  www.sibylhofstetter.com

The five talented musicians of the Focusyear Band once again impress on every level.

Swiss singer Alice Auclair improvises with subtle nuance and a clear, magnetic voice, whilst Belgian guitarist Eliott Knuets impresses with his exceptional virtuosity and maturity. Australian pianist Wilbur Whitta impresses with outstanding rhythmic precision, whilst Spanish bassist Eva Serrano forms the rhythmic and sonic foundation of the band with her pulse-driven bass playing, whilst simultaneously enriching the ensemble’s texture with her voice. US drummer Dae Bryant drives the group forward with a dynamic approach, continually inventing new layers of accompaniment.

• Tu and We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.focusyearbasel.com

Three voices, one shared breath: this trio comes together in the open space of improvisation – a place of dialogue where every note is reborn and form emerges from freedom. Lauer’s distinctive saxophone voice meets Wulff’s nuanced yet grounding bass playing and Strauss’s energetic, highly sensitive drumming. The musicians share a common musical vision of self-sufficiency, intensity and a willingness to take risks. Their compositions serve as a starting point for sonic experiments and subtle yet powerful solos that captivate the audience.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.lisawulff.de
  www.silvanstrauss.com
  www.christoflauer.com

A subtle, unconventional tribute to Thelonious Monk.

“On The Loose” is a sophisticated understatement that brings the spirit of the legendary pianist and composer to life with quiet, nuanced sounds. MIXMONK returns to the original melody and seeks not soloistic self-expression, but a homogeneous, flowing interplay that uses Monk as a point of reference. Robin Verheyen’s delicate saxophone playing winds its way lightly and playfully around the motifs, whilst Bram De Looze repeatedly weaves in complex harmonies reminiscent of Monk. The magnificent Joey Baron underpins this gem with his distinctive voice of highly precise, dense rhythms.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.robinverheyen.be
  www.bramdelooze.com

A powerful fusion of South African musical traditions and jazz – emotionally and intellectually stimulating.

Pianist Andile Yenana is one of South Africa’s most respected musicians. With his blend of Xhosa traditions and contemporary jazz, Yenana defines what many consider to be the sound of South African jazz. With his latest album, «Way Out Is In», recorded at the bird’s eye and blending tradition with innovation, he reaffirms his vital creative role and his place among the great storytellers of South African music. We look forward to the album’s presentation featuring the original line-up.

• Tu and We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.zasb.unibas.ch
  www.ganeshgeymeier.com
  www.michistulz.com

An enchanting evening with a rich orchestral sound.

The local big band never fails to delight the bird’s-eye audience with its nuanced, beautiful music. This creative hub for musicians and composers from Basel presents an elegant, multifaceted big-band sound, contemporary jazz and a touch of international flair. From time to time, the band invites a guest – on this evening, with the magnificent singer Patricija Skof as their guest, they showcase their own concentrated creative energy with new as well as further developed compositions.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.baseljazzorchestra.com

An elegant balance of swing, lyricism and harmonic sophistication.

The magnificent pianist Danny Grissett, who has made a name for himself internationally as one of the most accomplished interpreters of contemporary modern jazz, combines delightful lightness and technical brilliance with a deep, emotional expression. He captivates with a crystal-clear touch, fluid phrasing and a distinguished groove. Together with Josh Ginsburg’s articulate bass lines and Francesco Ciniglio’s springy rhythms, his music radiates warmth, elegance and integrity. Grissett’s latest album, “Travelogue”, was released last year on Savant.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.dannygrissett.com

Pianist and composer Kris Davis masterfully blends influences from free improvisation, jazz, contemporary classical music and world music into a distinctive, personal sound that captivates.

Having grown up in Calgary (Canada), Davis moved to New York in 2001, where she quickly made a name for herself on the improvisation scene whilst studying with Tony Malaby and Jim McNeely. Since then, she has released eleven albums as a bandleader, ranging from solo piano to an eight-piece ensemble featuring four bass clarinets, organ, piano, guitar and drums.

Ten years ago, Davis founded her own label, Pyroclastic Records, as a platform for non-commercial, experimental music, and released the two critically acclaimed albums Octopus and Duopoly.

Davis teaches at Berklee College of Music and is Associate Director of Creative Development at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. As Artist in Residence, this versatile artist offers us a deeper insight into her musical work through various ad hoc formations, allowing us to experience first-hand how she explores boundaries and traverses all genres with elegance and brilliance.

• www.krisdavis.net

When an exquisite love of experimentation meets the lyricism of chamber music.

Kris Davis’s first ad hoc band brings together three virtuoso individualists who also love subtle, nuanced tones. You can look forward to a completely unique musical universe.

• Tu, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.wolfgangmuthspiel.com
  www.nasheetwaits.com

A quartet with fresh accents.

On this evening, the top-class trio expands to form a quartet with the accomplished Patrick Fitzgerald, creating a spark. The additional bass provides fresh impetus whilst, with its versatile runs, posing exciting challenges that further intensify the atmosphere.

• We, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• www.wolfgangmuthspiel.com
  www.nasheetwaits.com

A virtuoso gathering of four top musicians.

On this evening, the Kris Davis Quartet features the brilliant saxophonist Marta Wajdzik, the expressive bassist Robert Landfermann and the well-known, sensitive drummer Nasheet Waits. A concert of poetic surprises and virtuoso intensity.

• Th, 20:30 hrs

• One-time entrance fee CHF 16– / 10.–

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• martawajdzik.com
  www.nasheetwaits.com

• Fr, 16:00 hrs ❘ Museum Tinguely

• Details

Condensed expression, rhythm and dense harmonies.

Here, Kris Davis, in a trio with Robert Landfermann and Nasheet Waits. With all three musicians contributing on an equal footing, they explore the possibilities of mutual communication with a keen sense of inner dynamics and tension.

• Fr and Sa, 20:30 hrs

• Entrance fee per set CHF 14.– / 10.–

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• www.krisdavis.net
  robertlandfermann.com
  www.nasheetwaits.com