History

Unit is a 360-degree music platform with the aim of promoting the music scene. Since its founding in 1983, this non-profit label has grown into Switzerland's leading label at the crossroads of jazz, creative and contemporary music.

In 1991, the founding team (Jürg Solothurnmann, Hans Kennel, Paul Haag, and Urs Blöchlinger) was succeeded by Pius Knüsel, who later became director of Pro Helvetia. He steered the label successfully for five years before passing the reins to drummer Lucas Niggli. The label was then incorporated into the Swiss Music Syndicate (SMS), until internationally renowned jazz guitarist and composer Harald Haerter took on the artistic direction in January 2005. Since 1st November 2023, the label has been led by musicians and composers Andreas Waelti and Luca Sisera. Both have built strong international reputations in recent years, with notably active concert schedules as sidemen and bandleaders, and are deeply embedded in the European music scene.