Summer is rarely the time for me to put my feet up. Instead, it’s when three amazing festivals keep me busy, each one built through months of intensive teamwork and anticipation.
Providing a stage for diverse and inspiring music feels more important than ever, and I’m very proud to play a part in making that happen.
The season kicks off in July with the Langnau Jazz Nights festival. This year’s edition celebrated the bass heroes of our time: Christian McBride, Linda Oh, Dave Holland, and Joe Sanders. We were also treated to the unique vocal artistry of Michael Mayo, as well as performances by my friends and exceptional trumpet players Philip Dizack and Marquis Hill.
Philip’s piece Brass Regalia not only served as the festival’s magnificent finale but also stood out as one of my personal highlights of the summer.
Another key part of the festival is the workshop program, which this year was led by a wonderful group of educators and artists around Caroline Davis.
About a month later, the festival season moved on to the Jazz Festival Willisau for me. This year, we had the pleasure of celebrating 50 years of the festival’s history, while enjoying beautiful late-summer weather, discovering inspiring new music, and sharing genuine human moments in the festival’s unique atmosphere. In addition to the regular festival program, we were able to host a networking and exchange event in collaboration with Pro Helvetia, Fondation Suisa, and Sonart, bringing together Swiss artists and international music professionals.
Almost immediately afterwards, I travelled to New York. A regular fixture in my calendar is the Festival of New Trumpet Music. Once again, this vibrant city offered countless opportunities to make new connections, hear fantastic concerts, and catch up with old friends.
