The Early Years – The Swiss Jazz Scene

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"Amateurs" have been the backbone of the Swiss jazz since its beginnings in the 20s. From among them a number of individual musicians rose to international fame.

One of the chief characteristics of the Swiss jazz scene is the predominantly non-professional status of the majority of its performers who are grouped in countless bands and clubs all over the country.

From World War II, jazz was banned in Nazi-occupied Europe, but it continued to thrive in neutral Switzerland. For countless young Swiss this music became almost synonymous with individual freedom of expression. The Swiss jazz scene is rich and manifold and has consequently produced a proportionally high number of outstanding musicians, especially drummers. Many of whom are active abroad.
This programme is a tribute to some of the greatest names in early Swiss jazz.


Musical content:

1. New Orleans Wildcats: Old Stack O’Lee Blues
(S. Bechet)

2. New Hot Players: I’ve Found A New Baby
(J. Palmer / S. Williams)

3. Teddy Stauffer And The Original Teddies: Möni Stomp
(B. Bertinat)

4. Willy Lewis And His Negro Band: What’ll I Do?
(I. Berlin)

5. Fred Böhler And His Orchestra: Black Can Call
(H. Osterwald)

6. Fred Böhler Big Band: Piano Man
(Earl Hines)

7. Hazy Osterwald Ochestra: I Can’t Get Started
(V. Duke / I. Gershwin)

8. Flavio Ambrosetti Sextet: Don’t Mention It
(F. Ambrosetti)

9. Ernst Höllerhagen Quintet: ‘s Wonderful
(G. & I. Gershwin)

10. Eddie Brunner And The Original Teddies: Mr Basie Goes To Washington
(Count Basie)


Production information:

Musica Helvetica MH 11. The Swiss Jazz Scene. The Early Years. Produced 1972 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen and Nicolas Lombard.

The Early Years – The Swiss Jazz Scene