The japanese piano wonder brings her newest project “Sonicwonder” with virtuoso trumpet player Adam O’Farrill to the 50th anniversary of the Int. Jazzfestival Bern and the Swiss Jazz Orchestra present their „Tribute to Quincy Jones“ under the direction of Pepe Lienhard with the singer Brigitte Wullimann. This jubilee night takes place in the brand new Bern Expo Cube
Hiromi’s “Sonicwonder”:
Hiromi, p & keyb
Adam O’Farrill, tp
Hadrien Feraud, b
Gene Coye, dr
Swiss Jazz Orchestra: “Tribute To Quincy Jones” with Pepe Lienhard feat. Brigitte Wullimann
Pepe Lienhard, lead
Brigitte Wullimann, voc
plus the Swiss Jazz Orchestra
Exclusive in Switzerland!
Born in Hamamatsu, Japan, Hiromi began studying piano when she was six years old. When she was 17, Chick Corea invited her to play with him at a Tokyo concert. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was mentored by jazz legend Ahmad Jamal. A prolific artist, “Sonicwonderland” is Hiromi’s twelfth studio full-length and second album of 2023; earlier this year she recorded the soundtrack to “Blue Giant”, an animated feature film based on the popular manga. Since Hiromi’s debut album “Another Mind” (2003), the world-renowned pianist’s sound has evolved with every release, erasing the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Now she changes tack again with her heaviest, funkiest album yet: “Sonicwonderland”. For her new quartet, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, she cast bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpet player Adam O’Farrill. Hiromi is a perennial favorite on DownBeat’s Annual Critics and Readers Poll, and has performed at the world’s finest jazz festivals. Her work has been celebrated by media including the New York Times, NPR and NPR Music, and the Washington Post, and she was a featured performer at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in 2021. Hiromi has been first presented in Switzerland in Marians Jazzroom in December 2004. Since then, Hiromi has played in Marians and the International Jazzfestival Bern in various incarnations – in quartets, solo and even with step dancer. We are very happy to present her newest project as part of our 50 year jubilee night.
The Swiss Jazz Orchestra is Switzerland’s most busy professional big band, performing weekly in Bern. Additionally, they perform and record projects of varying stilistic content and have so far released 7 CDs. The SJO has performed with acclaimed musicians like Alex Sipiagin, Chico Pinheiro, Torun Erisken, Claudio Roditi, Jerry Bergonzi, Phil Woods, Buddy DeFranco, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, Bert Joris, George Gruntz, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Joey DeFrancesco, Mike Mainieri and Peter Erskine as well as with Swiss top musicians Andy Scherrer, Matthieu Michel, Nat Su, Domenic Landolf, Michael Zisman and Pepe Lienhard. The Swiss Jazz Orchestra came to life after George Robert decided to make the Swiss Jazz School Orchestra – that played at the Jazz tent during the Int. Jazzfestival Bern – into a professional band. Their first season of concerts happened every Sunday at Marians Jazzroom. Subsequently, they have performed at the Jazzfestival Bern many times with many guest artists. We are very happy to be able to present the SJO at our 50th anniversary.
The career of Pepe Lienhard began in 1958, when he founded his first band, The College Stompers Lenzburg, at 12 years of age. 5 years later, he started his first Big Band, which which he won the first prize in the category Big Band at the prestigious Jazz Festival Zürich. In 1969, Pepe turned professional. With his now legendary Pepe Lienhard Sextet, he re-defined the Swiss music scene. With hits like „Sheila Baby“, „Piccolo Man“ or „Swiss Lady“ his career also took off internationally. Countless concerts, TV appearances and album releases followed. In 1980 Pepe founded his large orchestra. His high profile Big Band quickly became one of the go-to groups to accompany top stars like Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Donna Summer, Shirley Bassey or Udo Jürgens (with whom Pepe played for 38 years).
Concert
Sun. 18.05.2025
7:30 p.m.
(Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Venue
Bern Expo Festhalle Cube
Admission
First category CHF 99.-
Second category CHF 79.—
Third category CHF 49.—