About the festival

The Festival da Jazz wasn’t born out of a consulting concept but out of passion, completely organic. First, there were just a few concerts, and then it started to grow. Here are some of the most important milestones of the festival.

2005

The Pre-history

First tentative steps at the Kronenhof’s Wine Cellar with Othella Dallas. We thought it would probably be her last concert. How wrong we were.

2006

Taking Shape

A first concert series at the Wine Cellar. Hazy Osterwald plays his last concert ever, together with Dani Felber.

2007

Welcome to the Dracula Club

Rolf Sachs grants asylum to the festival at the Dracula Club. George Gruntz opens the concert series “Jazz & Wine” in this “holy” vault.

2008

Festival da Jazz!

The name “Festival da Jazz” is born. The first real festival. 13 concerts in association with the Kulm Hotel.

2009

Taking Off

26 concerts already. Despite the economic crisis, Lexus comes on board and the Hauser’s Terrace features brunch concerts.

2010

Hunger

The festival becomes more international. Big acts like “Manhatten Transfer” capture the audience. A perfect mix: Sophie Hunger, Paul Kuhn, Brad Mehldau and many more.

2011

Even More Concerts

Hellmi Beerli enables a concert by Ahmad Jamal – a great moment. And more highlights: Till Brönner, Klaus Doldinger, Al di Meola, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour. First “Free Midnight Concerts” at the Miles Davis Lounge.

2012

Five-Year-Anniversary

47 concerts already. Thanks to Franzoli the Brasserie Dracula is a great hit. Spectacular concert moments with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nigel Kennedy, Richard Galliano, Dianna Reeves and many more.

2013

Up the Mountain

Chick Corea and Al Jarreau honour the festival. For the first time the (meanwhile) very popular Open Air on Muottas Muragl takes place. And in addition: Randy Crawford, Fazil Say, Take 6 and of course Othella Dallas

2014

Artist in residence

Dave Grusin turns 80 and celebrates the occasion with three concerts. Pepe Lienhard crams his big band into the Dracula, and they fit (just). And: Patti Austin, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cliff, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mike Stern, John Scofield

2015

Music Lessons

Bobby McFerrin gives lessons instead of singing. Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield enchant the audience. And Candy Dulfer does it open air, just behind the Dracula.

2016

Keep Going

Altogether 50 concerts. And a novelty: Apero-Concerts on Hauser’s Terrace. Great moments with Iiro Rantala and Ulf Wakenius, with Marcus Miller, Dianne Krall, The Rad Trads and many more.

2017

10 Years Later

For the anniversary, the festival returns to Kronenhof, where it all started, and some other splendid concert venues on a small “tour de charme”.

2018

Lej da Jazz

Norah Jones came around, and Ludovico Einaudi drew a mega-crown to the first ever "Lej da Jazz" concert.

2019

still going strong

Still new stages are being explored. Mystic sounds along Alp Grüm take us along. And always some Helge Schneider at the end.

2020

No Festival? YeS Festival!

Riding between two waves we can pull of a Festival despite the pandemic. A little shorter and with a focus on local acts.

2021

Certified

Even a mask mandate and Covid-checks can't stop our guests. Angélique Kidjo enchanting the Stazersee. First edition of the New Generation #JazzLab by Jaguar.

2022

Dracula Wants you Back

Finally back at our main stage, our beloved Dracula Club. A perfect summer accompanied by a perfect Line-Up.