Artists 2025
MOHS
MOHS (Switzerland)
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://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/5nuizPgYsq5zWp3CyT4Oa6
Leona Berlin
Leona Berlin (Germany)
Leona Berlin blends hip-hop, r&b, and jazz into a sound that’s deeply emotional, artistically free, and unmistakably her own. It’s a dedication to curiosity and profundity, and a refreshing change from mainstream culture. Known for crafting every piece of her music herself, Leona’s intoxicating sound and bold contemporary production continues to carve out her unique space in the musical landscape.
Following her debut with Warner Music in 2018 she has collaborated with artists like Snoop Dogg, Ray Angry (The Roots) and Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment).
Her sophomore album Change (2021) featured contributions from NYC rapper Stimulus and keyboardist Rob Araujo, earning a spot on the German Record Critics’ Award best list (PdSK) in 2022. In 2023, she appeared on Gregory Hutchinson’s acclaimed jazz-fusion album DA BANG, further cementing her reputation as a versatile artist who seamlessly bridges genres.
Currently, Leona is releasing several singles in the lead-up to her third studio album ELEVATE.
Leona Berlin – Vocals
Martin Lüdicke – Keys
Francesco Beccaro – Bass
Magro – Drums
Catia Werneck Quartet
Catia Werneck Quartet (France)
Born in Rio de Janeiro into a family of musicians, Catia Werneck grew up surrounded by music. Her father, an avid jazz enthusiast, introduced her to the genre, while she began studying piano at the age of ten before turning to Brazilian percussion. At 21, she left Brazil for a three-month tour in France — a journey that would change the course of her life. Choosing to settle in Paris, she soon joined the group Boto Novos Tempos and quickly became a fixture on the French jazz festival circuit.
Catia has collaborated with some of the most celebrated names in music, including Touré Kunda, Patrick Bruel, and Chico Buarque, and contributed as both vocalist and songwriter to numerous film soundtracks. In 1997, she released her debut album Estrêla do Sultão, a milestone that led to her selection by Peter Basler (Joe Zawinul’s agent) to represent Brazil at major international festivals.
Since then, Catia’s discography has expanded steadily, with acclaimed albums such as Saudades de Paris (2000, Japan), La Vie en Rose (2004), Naturalmente (2006), Catia Canta Jobim (2007 – a tribute to Bossa Nova recorded in Brazil), Obrigado Brasil (2009), Primavera (2010, with Vincent Bidal), The Best of Catia (2011), and Bossa Catia (2012, EMI Japan). She relaunched her career in France in 2014 with Tudo Bem, while continuing to perform regularly in Brazil.
In 2017, Catia released Jongando, a bold new project that explores fresh musical horizons and pays tribute to Jongo, the traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm often considered the “grandmother” of samba.
Today, Catia Werneck stands out as a unique voice bridging Brazilian roots, jazz sophistication, and global music culture.
Catia Werneck – Vocals
Douglas Marcolino – Accordion
Alexei Derevitsky – Bass
Ney Verse (Da Silva Oliveira) – Drums
Cadenza Collective
Cadenza Collective (Nepal)
One of the most unique and eclectic bands from Kathmandu, Nepal, Cadenza Collective led by drummer and composer Navin Chettri seamlessly blends Jazz, Afro-funk, and Nepali folk into an irresistible sound for your ears and booty.
From their humble beginnings in 1998, Cadenza was one of the first bands to experiment with jazz in the Kathmandu Valley, a city dominated by bands playing rock and pop covers. Cadenza broke the mold and has evolved into a mature and experienced collective of musicians and music educators. Their music has pumped vitality into the improvised music scene in Nepal and beyond through regular performances with both classical and western musicians. With 5 albums to date showcasing their original music, their CDs are often referred to as instant collector’s items. The latest album, Back to the Roots, released in February 2014, is further evidence of their nature as a band to push boundaries. With their unique jazz, Nepali-afro-funk sound, far from popular mainstream music, the album was nominated in 5 categories for the 2014 Nepal Hits FM Music Awards. They won Best Pop/Rock Composition for their song “Namaste”, and Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year.
They have performed in many international musical festivals and venues including the Palmer Street Jazz Festival Australia, ELB Jazz Festival in Hamburg Germany, RSJ Festival in India, La Baiser Sale and LaTimbale in Paris, Klunker Kranich in Berlin, and prestigious jazz clubs in Copenhagen and Brussels to name a few.
Navin Chettri – Vocals and Drums
Rajat Rai – Guitar
Samir Chettri – Bass
InapRaj Shrestha – Ternor Sax
Pravin Chhetri – Alto Sax
Nick Aggs
Nick Aggs (Australia)
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, Nick Aggs, a gifted saxophonist and composer, has gained widespread acclaim for his musical prowess. His impressive discography and captivating live performances have taken him to stages at festivals around the world. In addition to fronting his own musical ensembles, Nick has had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed musicians such as the Indian percussion maestro Trilok Gurtu, legendary guitarist Jesse Van Ruller, Senegambian Kora virtuoso Jali Buba Kuyateh, Nepal’s premier jazz outfit Cadenza, and China’s JZ Allstar Big Band.
Nick’s innovative musical vision played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of the Australian fusion band Afro Dizzi Act, resulting in a series of critically acclaimed albums and memorable performances at some of Australia’s most prestigious music festivals. Presently based in Singapore, Nick serves as the director of a jazz program at the Australian International School and continues to lead his own ensemble, Space Direct.
Nick’s musical journey began with the acquisition of a Bachelor of Music degree from the Queensland Conservatorium. In his hometown of Brisbane, he is revered as a musical icon, celebrated for pioneering a unique sonic identity that seamlessly blends diverse musical genres. This fusion creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages musicians to explore improvisation while keeping the audience engaged in joyous and danceable celebrations, making his performances a staple at various festivals.
Nick’s contributions to the music scene have not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous awards and grants for his exceptional work. He has also been immortalized on canvas through “Face the Music,” a collaborative project with some of Brisbane’s most influential artists.
Nick Aggs – Saxophone
Jonisha Paudel
Jonisha Poudel (Nepal)
and the decorated Indian vocalist Pt.Rajeshwor
Acharya.In 2017,she performed a solo concert
organised by the Sanskritik Sansthan (National
Cultural Corporation).
Samundra band
Samundra Band (Nepal)
Samundra Band Nepal is a musician and sarangi player known for their performances of Nepali folk fusion music. They have a YouTube channel where they share videos of their musical hiking adventures, performances in Gandharba villages, and sarangi lessons taught by Anil Gandharba. The videos provide instructions on how to learn sarangi and showcase the beauty of this traditional Nepali instrument. Samundra Band Nepal is passionate about promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Nepal through their music.
gandharva
Gandharva (Nepal)
Nepal is home to a group of music makers called the Gandharvas. The word Gandharva appears in the ancient text the Mahabharata, as singers and entertainers. The work of the Gandharva is to make songs, to sing stories of the lives of the people, to entertain, provide social commentary, give news, and heal the people. They were inspired by heavenly female creatures known as Apsaras.
The Gandharvas historically are known as the link between the heavens and earth, bringing messages from the heavens to the people on earth.
Up until very recently, the Gandharvas earned their living, traveling from village to village around the difficult mountainous terrain, to bring news to the people in the ages before radio, television, and the internet. They are commonly known as “Walking Newspapers.”
Eastern Classical Musicians
Anil Gandharva – Sarangi
Anil Gandharba is a renowned Nepali sarangi player and teacher, as well as a cultural promoter. With nearly two decades of experience in the music industry, he has dedicated himself to promoting Nepali music—particularly the sarangi—on the global stage. He has been honoured with the title of Arirang Culture Master by the International Advisory Board of Culture Masters, and also serves as an International Reporter for Arirang Culture Connect, a global online publication focused on intangible cultural heritage..
Roshan Putwar
Roshan Putwar is a passionate musician and researcher dedicated to
preserving the rich traditions of Eastern Classical and Nepalese Traditional Music. With performances on more than 1,000 stages across countries like India, Kenya, and Nepal, Roshan Putwar has represented Nepal in the South Asian Residency 2017, collaborating with artists from various nations.
Jagannath Dhaugoda – tabla
Jagannath Dhaugoda is an accomplished classical musician and tabla player from Kathmandu, with over 20 years of experience in performance and teaching. He has performed with renowned Nepali and international artists including Ani Choying Drolma, Sujan Chapagain and Pt. Samir Chatterjee, and has toured across Asia, Europe, and Australia. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in tabla at Lalit Kala Campus, he has also taught at several music institutions and arranged numerous concerts featuring world-class musicians. Respected for his versatility on both percussion and melodic instruments, he continues to inspire through his work as an artist and an educator.