CHRISTINA JACCARD & DAVE RUOSCH BAND, JCT ALL STARS, MARTIN ABBUEHL’S SWING EXPRESS, MARTIN LECHNER, AND SANDRO SCHNEEBELI'S BOOGALOO QUARTET: these are the five bands officially nominated for the Swiss JazzAward 2012, that will be presented, for the sixth time, on June 24 at the Ascona jazz festival.

Promoted and produced by Radio Swiss Jazz (a radio station owned by the SSR that broadcasts jazz and blues 24/7) and by JazzAscona, the Swiss Jazz Award is the first and only Swiss jazz prize assigned by the public.

Starting from December 15th 2011, jazz aficionados are called to participate in the vote by choosing their favorite either online at www.swissjazzaward.ch or, this year for the first time, via sms.

The prize will be contended by five Swiss bands that were most appreciated among the audience of Radio Swiss Jazz, throughout the past year.

The 2012 selection is proof of the excellence and vitality of the Swiss jazz scene. This year, in fact, the nominated bands are very different from one another: Sandro Schneebeli's young and rhythmical Boogaloo Quartet; Martin Abbuehl’s Swing Express, an internationally acclaimed quartet entirely dedicated to the music of Django Reinhardt; the JCT All Stars, a refined swing band led by saxophonist and clarinetist Jürg Morgentahler and made up of seven renowned jazz musicians from Zurich; singer Martin Lechner, the new voice of soul jazz; and, last but not least, soul blues singer Christina Jaccard, “the blackest white voice”, together with R&B pianist Dave Ruosch's enthralling band.



From today until March 29, the five nominees will participate in the first round competing for votes. The three most voted bands gain access to the final round and get to participate in the JazzAscona festival 2012, in a series of live performances. The final act is scheduled for Sunday June 24 for a last enticing battle in front of the Ascona public, which will culminate in the announcement of the Swiss Jazz Award 2012 Winner.

For the first time, this year the final act on June 24 will be produced and broadcasted live by both RSI Rete Due.

Taking part in the competition and expressing one's preference is very easy. Vote online at www.swissjazzaward.ch (where you will also find information about the prize and the participating bands, with biographies and music excerpts) or send an sms to 898 (Frs 0,50 per sms) with the keyword sch to vote for the Sandro Schneebeli Boogaloo 4tret, lec for Martin Lechner, jac for Christina Jaccard & the Dave Ruosch Band, abb for Martin Abbuehl’s Swing Experess or jct to vote for the JCT All Stars.



You might be the lucky one to be chosen among voters to win a holiday week for two people in New Orleans.



In the past five editions the SwissJazz Award was won by Alexia Gardner (2011), Dani Felber Big Band (2010), Robi Weber Quartet (2009), Dai Kimoto & Swing Kids (2008), and the Loverfield Jazzband (2007). A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pepe Lienhard (in 2007) and to Hazy Osterwald (2009).

  

WEB
Christina Jaccard http://www.voicejaccard.ch/
JCT All Stars http://www.jazzclubthalwil.ch/jctallstars.html
Martin Abbuehl Swing Express http://www.mx3.ch/artist/swingexpress
Martin Lechner http://www.martinlechner.ch/
Sandro Schneebeli’s Bogaloo Quartet http://sandroschneebeli.ch/fileadmin/templates/intro.html



VIDEO
Sandro Schneebeli’s Bogaloo Quartet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9EeFzvMpIY
Martin Lechner http://vimeo.com/25283483

The omnipresent photographer, the VIP's driver, the instruments man, the artistic director, the local band, and the young singer who wins the audience's prize bring us back to the magic of JazzAscona 2011. They are the protagonists of the documentary film Emozioni in riva al lago (Lakeside Emotions), directed by Romano Veziani and Luciano Paltenghi, which will be shown on RSI La1 on Friday November 4th at 7.30 pm.

www.rsi.ch/svizzeraedintorni

With the aim of promoting jazz music, offering another cultural perspective to the region, for the fourth year in a row the Jazz Cat Club association presents a high class program of winter concerts.

The jazz club and its program were conceived by JazzAscona's artistic director, Nicolas Gilliet, and this year the series includes eight concerts starting from October 2011 to May 2012, always on Mondays, in the inspiring atmosphere of the Sala del Gatto in Ascona (via Muraccio 21).

The winter program opens on October 17th with American singer and guitarist TERRY EVANS, a touching blues and soul voice with a career of over forty years, nine solo records and consolidated projects with Ry Cooder and other great artists..

Amidst celebration and nostalgia, on November 14th the program offers a special day “A JAZZ DAY IN ASCONA - REMEMBERING MILANO'S CAPOLINEA”.  The legendary jazz club is brought back to life in the documentary film "Al Capolinea - Quando a Milano c'era il Jazz" (At the Capolinea - When There Used to Be Jazz in Milan), which will be presented for the second time after its lucky premiere on August 3rd in Milan. A dinner open to everyone will precede the screening and following, a jam session with around fifteen musicians, all witnesses to the Capolinea's extraordinary history. In the afternoon a free concert for schools with Christian Meyer's Color Swing Trio.

On December 5th the club hosts singers DENISE GORDON and CAROLINE MHLANGA who will present gospel classics accompanied by well known soloists from New Orleans and Europe.

Singer and organist GEORGIE FAME will be on stage on January 23rd. An international star in the Sixties  (“Yeh Yeh”  and “The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde” are his international hits), Fame is a legend of English R&B and is well known for his work with  Van Morrison (he was his producer and played for him) and with other great names of jazz,  blues and rock.

The concerts in February, March, and May of 2012 are still to be defined but we are proud to announce a prestigious performance, on April 23rd, by singer STACEY KENT,  one of the rising stars of the international jazz scene. She will be at the Jazz Cat Club between a concert at the Olympia in Paris… and a show at New York's Birdland.

Tickets cost 30 francs (15 francs for students and apprentices) and can be reserved by calling +41 91 785 19 51 or writing to   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Anyone can support the club by joining the  Jazz Cat Club Association, with a contribution of at least 20 francs a year. You can also become a supporting member by buying a membership card of the value of 460 francs (900 francs for two people) that includes the entry fees and a rich buffet.

For further information visit our official homepage www.jazzcatclub.ch.