Latest News
HAPPY AND EXCITING NEWS
Summer Jazz Guitar Workshop Switzerland
The Summer Jazz Guitar Workshop is being rescheduled for Summer 2024.
Concert video
My video of the second evening of a solo guitar two-concert series is ready and uploaded on YouTube and you can see it on this site as well, of course. Go check out Lukas Brunner's wonderful Baritone guitars in action here, as well as some new photos of the B-Mighty here! There are also new pictures of a recent photo shoot with Börries Hessler on the Photos Page.
Compositions
Probably the most exciting news is the fact that in deciding to make lemonade out of the lemons COVID brought, I was able to compose, revisit and arrange a number of new and old works. As a result of this process, there are now so many new compositions that it is likely that (almost) no compositions prior to 2013 will be included in the studio album recording. It is even possible that there are enough compositions for a two-album recording. The compositions have given rise to a particular instrumentation: 4-piece rhythm section plus Flügelhorn, Bass Clarinet, and Trombone. Aside from a warmer sound, this allows for an intriguing color palette while still maintaining the simplicity and space of a smaller ensemble. I’m super excited about it, and the personnel is beginning to take shape. I’m also blessed to have had the excellent composer Jochen Neuffer providing advice.
SAFE PASSAGE ALBUM RECORDING
Collaborating on the progress of the album recording with Reto Sommerau of Aufwind in Chur has helped me tremendously. It's also super exciting to be able to start rehearsals this year still since the band lineup is now set. I'm super excited to have the following musicians join me on the project:
Richard Maegraith (Australia, living in Berlin): Bass Clarinet
Nolan Quinn (Switzerland): Flügelhorn
Silvio Cadotsch (Switzerland): Trombone
Yves Theiler (Switzerland): Piano
Luca LoBianco (Italy, living in Switzerland): Bass
Adam Pache (Australia, living in Bologna): drums
Baritone Guitars
I have been spending a lot of time on my gorgeous new Brunner baritone guitars. These instruments are amazing. Contact Lukas Brunner if you are interested.
Equipment
Thanks to some advice from Reto Fürst at Fürst Guitars, I’ve been able to completely overhaul my jazz effects board. I’m super happy with it, new streamlined cabling and a few pedal changes and upgrades. Next step is to sell superfluous equipment and upgrade my amplifier situation. Trying to not suffer from G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but it's difficult....
Concerts
I've moved to Chur in the beautiful canton Graubünden, where I've integrated nicely into the local jazz scene and its primary organization, JazzChur. The vibe is great, and there are three main jazz performance locations: the Postremise, where a large and a smaller stage provide wonderful facilities for anything from larger ensembles to Jam Sessions; The Okra Kulturgarage, where quirkier, experimental, and perhaps more acoustic music happens, and the Marsoel Bar, where different small combos regularly play. My own trio's performance on March 23, 2023 at 20:15 at the Marsoel was wonderful and the venue was packed - thanks to everyone who came from near and far - and it was great to play with the wonderful Rolf Caflisch (drums) and Rees Coray (bass). Check out the Concerts page.
The entire 2020 season of the Trigger Concert Big Band TCBB concerts was cancelled, as well as our yearly collaboration with international guests in November, plus all concerts since. Nevertheless, we did a short recording of Jochen Neuffer’s TCBB Intro composition and we may be able to resume performing in Fall 2021. At the end of 2021, TCBB did a Christmas concert with jazz arrangements of well-known Christmas songs and carols. It was a thoughtful and emotional reunion with our audience, and for me, I had the added blessing of being able to perform again after a brief bout in isolation with 'the bug'. Thankfully, my body coped fine. However, since moving to Chur, I no longer am able to participate in this big band due to travel / distance.