News
Interview UNIT live!
Mit «UNIT live!» bündeln das Moods und UNIT Records ihre Kräfte und schaffen ein gemeinsames Format. In regelmässigen Abständen bringt das Moods aktuelle Produktionen aus dem UNIT-Kosmos auf die Moods-Bühne und zeigen die Vielfalt des UNIT-Katalogs.
Samstag 23. Mai // Moods Zürich
Tschopp x Lang
Christoph Irniger & Marc Perrenoud
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With “UNIT live!”, Moods and UNIT Records are joining forces to create a shared platform. At regular intervals, we bring current productions from the UNIT universe to the Moods stage, showcasing the full diversity of the UNIT catalogue.
Saturday May 23 // Moods Zürich
Tschopp x Lang
Christoph Irniger & Marc Perrenoud
UNIT Artist in Residence 2026
We are excited to announce the recipients of this year’s Unit Records Artist Residencies – three outstanding musicians who will each spend ten inspiring days dedicating themselves to new musical visions in truly special places.
Our brand new «Artist in Residence» on the Azores goes to saxophonist and composer Simon Spiess. During his stay in Lajes das Flores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Simon will focus on developing new musical ideas and will also give a workshop for the children on Flores – connecting artistic research with community exchange.
We are equally thrilled to announce pianist and composer Gee Hye Lee as this year’s «Composer in Residence» at «Aux Losanges». During her residency in the stunning Swiss Grisons, she will work on the compositions for her upcoming trio album, which is set to be released on Unit Records in late 2027 or early 2028
The Artist Residency at «Chalet Fur» above Lake Lucerne will be awarded to Geneva-based guitarist and composer Tom Brunt. Together with his acoustic quartet – featuring violinist Marc Crofts, guitarist Charles Fréchette and double bassist Pierre Balda – Tom will dedicate these ten days to intensive collective work and prepare for his upcoming album release on Unit Records.
Congratulations to all three artists! We can’t wait to hear the music that will emerge from these unique residencies.
JAZZAHEAD 2026
Sara Decker Expand
Thursday April 23, 18:00, Alter Schlachthof
Sol Jang Trio
Friday April 24, 14:00, Alter Schlachthof
KNOBIL
Saturday April 25, 20:00, Halle 7.2
Jure Pukl – Analog AI
Saturday April 25, 22:30, Alter Schlachthof
European Jazz in Motion: Inside Unit Records (Discussion)
Rethinking Label Work – Independent, Collaborative, Sustainable
Saturday April 25, 13:15-14:15, Conference Room
Teamplayer unter sich
"Als ausübende Jazzmusiker haben wir gemerkt, dass man in den letzten zehn Jahren mehr mit dem Computer als seiner Musik beschäftigt ist. Wir müssen Videos produzieren, Booking machen, eine hohe Visibilität in den sozialen Medien erreichen, in den Fachmagazinen, Airplay bei den Radiostationen. Das hält einen langfristig davon ab, musikalisch in die Tiefe zu gehen. Wir wollen die Leute vom Computer wegbringen und Angebote schaffen, damit die Künstler*innen sich wieder nur um ihre Musik kümmern können. Insbesondere im Impro-Bereich ist Inspiration essenziell wichtig. Im Jazz will man sich jeden Abend neu erfinden, das braucht Inspiration. Dafür ist ein offener Geist notwendig, und der Computer klaut Geist." – Luca Sisera
"We want to bring the different scenes together“
Swiss bassist Andreas Waelti has proved himself an unusually versatile musician. Now that versatility will be further tested: Waelti has been tapped to take over artistic leadership of the storied Swiss jazz label Unit Records, a role he will share with his countryman and co-instrumentalist Luca Sisera. mica‘s Michael Ternai recently spoke to him about the passing of the torch, the European jazz scene, and his future plans for the label.
Unit Records: Leitungswechsel
Das traditionsreiche Schweizer Label kommt in neue Hände! Nach fast zwei Jahrzehnten übergibt Harald Haerter die Führung an zwei Musiker, die man im deutschsprachigen Raum nicht weiter vorzustellen braucht: die Bassisten Andreas Waelti und Luca Sisera.