Musician/Band of the Month

Every month we present a musician or a band in stage light at the moment - by reason of a recent CD release, a concert tour, a jubilee or an award.

Hazy Osterwald

Hazy Osterwald, famous Swiss band leader, trumpet and vibes player, was born in Berne on February 18, 1922.

He was musically formed at the Berne conservatory, but soon joined the jazz band of Teddy Stauffer.
In 1944 he led his first own orchestra that developed to the legendary "Hazy Osterwald Sextet" in 1949. With this band he successfully toured Europe but also played concerts and club dates in South America, Israel and the United States, got to fame in several movies and had some number one hits (like "Kriminaltango", "Der Fahrstuhl nach oben ist besetzt").

In latter years the band changed personnel as well as its name (first to "Hazy Osterwald Jet Set", then to "Hazy Osterwald and the Entertainers"), and Hazy owned several night clubs, founded an artists agency and led his own record label.

Around 1990 he turned back to his musical roots, Jazz, and concentrated more on playing his vibraphone in a style similar to that of Lionel Hampton.

The initial recording of his Jazz renaissance Hazy made with his friends from his home town, the "Swing Makers". In 1999 he published his auto-biography "Kriminaltango".

Current CD

Swing Makers meet Hazy Osterwald: Swing, CDDR9201

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Former Musicians/Bands of the Month

South Frisco Jazz Band

Hot Strings

Buddha`s Gamblers

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