
Since 2019, mohs. has risen to the heart of the European jazz scene with acclaimed live performances and two captivating albums. The talented Swiss quartet now announces the release of a third opus, entitled Baïne.
At the origin of the project, guitarist Erwan Valazza and trumpeter Zacharie Ksyk, both rooted in jazz, set out to create their own musical universe. They were soon joined by the gifted Gaspard Colin on bass and Nathan Vandenbulcke on drums. Blending acoustic instruments with electronic effects, they invite audiences to follow them on a quest for sonic landscapes. The quartet is productive, generous, sprinkling its jazz with many stylistic references while crafting finely chiseled melodies… at the foot of the Alps. A nod to Friedrich Mohs’ scale, which classifies minerals according to their hardness, from talc to diamond, provided the perfect name for the band: mohs.
A highlight selection at Swiss festivals JazzContreband and Suisse Diagonales Jazz, mohs. has conquered many stages including the Cully Jazz Festival, AMR in Geneva, and Duc des Lombards in Paris, while opening for internationally renowned artists such as Avishai Cohen, Alfa Mist, Christian Scott “Chief Adjuah,” and Kenny Garrett. The tour of their album Mirage sparked the enthusiasm of a captivated fan base, with the title track alone amassing over 130,000 streams.
“This new album is more instinctive, more organic, almost live,” explains Erwan. “Despite this raw approach, the work on sound textures and the search for atmospheres remain at the very core of our music—we sculpt each space with precision.” The ten tracks of Baïne indeed immerse us in a creative effervescence and serene bliss, akin to the emotions evoked by artists like Jon Hassell or Khruangbin. As always, we find the fragility of free interaction, genuine risk-taking, and a precise, brilliant writing style.
The music of mohs. is powerful, calm, and luminous. One of the most fascinating quartets of the moment!
Zacharie Ksyk – Trumpet
Erwan Valazza – Guitar
Gaspard Colin – Bass
Nathan Vandenbulcke – Drums
https://www.mohsmusic.ch/ Supported by Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council