Intakt records - News Page

Jun 15, 2025

The South African drummer Louis Tebugo Moholo,
also known as Louis Moholo-Moholo, passed away on 13 June 2025
at the age of 85.

Louis Moholo-Moholo was an important duo partner (intakt cd 006) for Irène Schweizer, who died last year .
She praised Moholo's "rhythm" and commented: "This incredible drive has something trance-like about it.
I compare Louis to Elvin Jones when he was still playing with John Coltrane".

She praised Moholo's "rhythmicality," and commented: "This amazing drive has something trance-like about it. I compare Louis
with Elvin Jones, when Jones was playing with John Coltrane."

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Jun 14, 2025

INGRID LAUBROCK receives the Deutscher Jazz Preis for Holzblasinstrumente for 2025.
A prolific composer, Laubrock was named a “true visionary” by pianist and The Kennedy Center’s artistic director Jason Moran,
and a “fully committed saxophonist and visionary“ by The New Yorker.

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Jun 12, 2025

Pianist SYLVIE COURVOISIER receives the Schweizer Grand Prix Musik 2025.
"Musician with boundless connecting power"
The pianist, composer and improvisation musician Sylvie Courvoisier has been a central voice in jazz for decades
with her boundless playing.

Congratulations Sylvie!

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May 16, 2025

Pianist SIMONE KELLER receives the City of Zurich Kunstpreis 2025.
The award for outstanding cultural achievements goes to the Institut für Incohärente Cinematographie
(Institute for Incoherent Cinematography).

An excerpt from the City of Zurich website:

"The 2025 City of Zurich Art Prize goes to Simone Keller. The prize is endowed with 50,000 Swiss francs. Simone Keller is
a multidimensional pianist and educator who is primarily at home in contemporary and classical music. She also crosses
boundaries into other musical styles, seeking common ground. Through her intensive national and international concert
activities and the tireless initiation of musical and cultural projects, Simone Keller succeeds in bringing music to the most
remote and unusual places. Simone Keller uses music as a universal language that brings people of all backgrounds
together and is committed to socially relevant issues far beyond the country's borders. Her work is unique in Zurich."

Read the full press release here.

Simone Keller is on two Intakt releases – as part of the Kukuruz Quartet (Julius Eastman Piano Interpretations,
Intakt #306) and her acclaimed 2024 album Hidden Heartache (Intakt #419) with Abathar Kmash, Valeria Curti, Michael
Flury and Philip Bartels.

Congratulations Simone!

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May 15, 2025

JOACHIM KÜHN is on the Deutsche Jazz Preis Best List 2025 for Échappée
"For Joachim Kühn's double album, the term "jazz" seems almost too narrow. Kühn processes material from a wide
variety of sources, his improvisation closely resembling what was called "fantasizing" in older music. "Échappée" is an
astonishing masterpiece, recorded in Kühn's own studio, matured over months, listened to, discarded, and improved."
says Hans-Jürgen Linke
Read more on the Schallplattenkritik website

Congratulations Joachim! Well deserved.

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February 27, 2025

Intakt Records Live in Cologne, May 2025
To celebrate the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Honorary Award 2025 to Patrik Landolt Intakt Records
will put on a weekend festival in Cologne in May. Click on the pdf below for details.

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December 4, 2024

Intakt Records founder Patrik Landolt will receive an honorary prize
from the prestigious Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

Mit grosser Freude haben wir Ende November die Nachricht entgegengenommen, dass Patrik Landolt,
Gründer und langjähriger Geschäftsleiter von Intakt Records, mit dem Ehrenpreis 2025 der
Deutschen Schallplattenkritik ausgezeichnet wird. Hoch verdient, hat Patrik doch mit unermüdlichem,
jahrzehntelangem Engagement und einem sicheren Gespür für ausserordentliche Künstler*innen einen
wichtigen Beitrag zur Welt des Jazz geleistet. Lesen Sie hier die ausführliche Pressemitteilung.

Ehrenpreise verleihen die Juroren des PdSK e.V. an Persönlichkeiten aus der Musikwelt, die in ihrem jeweiligen
Wirkungskreis neue Maßstäbe gesetzt haben und damit einstehen für den Tonträger als Kulturgut.

Mehr Details auf der Website des Preises der deutschen Schallplattenkritik: https://www.schallplattenkritik.de/

It was with great pleasure that we received the news that Patrik Landolt, founder and long-standing managing
director of Intakt Records, will be awarded the German Record Critics' Honour Award 2025.
Patrik has made an important contribution to the world of jazz with a tireless, decades-long commitment
and an instinct for exceptional artists.

The prize is awarded to personalities from the world of music who have set new standards in their respective
spheres of activity and thus stand up for the sound carrier as a cultural asset.

More details on the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik website: https://www.schallplattenkritik.de/

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October 08, 2024

Stephan Wittwer (1. Märch 1953 – 18. September 2024)

Der Gitarrist und Komponist Stephan Wittwer ist am 18. September im Alter von 71 Jahren verstorben. Stephan Wittwer erkundete bereits in den frühen 80er Jahren zusätzlich zum freien Gitarrenspiel die Möglichkeiten neuer Technologien wie dem Computer und erweiterte seine avancierten Spieltechniken mit elektronischen Sounds. Er bewegte sich in unterschiedlichsten Welten: im Freejazz, Rock, Heavy Metal, Techno- und Ambient, in der Film- und Kunstszene. Zu Ruhm kam er durch seine Filmmusiken, etwa für den Film «Der rechte Weg» (1983) von Fischli-Weiss. Die Band Red Twist & Tuned Arrow mit Christy Doran und Fredy Studer galt in den 80er Jahren als eines der innovativsten Trios im Grenzbereich von Free, Rock und Elektronik. In Erinnerung bleiben auch die Konzerte mit Rüdiger Carls COWWS-Quintett (mit Irène Schweizer, Phil Wachsmann, Barre Phillips), mit Werner Lüdis Sunnymoon, dem Duo Werter-Wittwer, mit verschiedenen Bands um Hans Koch und Martin Schütz oder mit der Kultband «Sludge 5-0» mit dem Bassisten Wietn Wito und dem Schlagzeuger Lucas Niggli.

Bei Intakt Records sind von Stephan Wittwer erschienen (und erhältlich):

Stephan Witwer Solo. «World of Strings». (Intakt CD 017) mit dem CD-Cover der Künstler Fischli-Weiss.

Wittwer-Schütz-Lovens «Choice-Chase» (Intakt CD 032). CD-Cover ebenfalls von Fischli-Weiss.

Chockshut mit Hans Koch, Andreas Marti, Jacques Demierre, Martin Schütz, Stephan Wittwer, Fredy Studer (Intakt CD 031).

Guitarist and composer Stephan Wittwer passed away on September 18 at the age of 71. As early as the early 1980s, Stephan Wittwer explored the possibilities of new technologies such as the computer in addition to his free guitar playing and expanded his advanced playing techniques with electronic sounds. He moved in the most diverse worlds: in free jazz, rock, heavy metal, techno and ambient, in the film and art scene. He came to fame through his film music, for example for the film "Der rechte Weg" (1983) by Fischli-Weiss. The band Red Twist & Tuned Arrow with Christy Doran and Fredy Studer was regarded as one of the most innovative trios in the border area of free, rock and electronic music in the 1980s. The concerts with Rüdiger Carl's COWWS quintet (with Irène Schweizer, Phil Wachsmann, Barre Phillips), with Werner Lüdi's Sunnymoon, the duo Werter-Wittwer, with various bands around Hans Koch and Martin Schütz or with the cult band "Sludge 5-0" with bassist Wietn Wito and drummer Lucas Niggli will also be remembered.

Stephan Wittwer has released 3 albums on Intakt Records:

Stephan Witwer Solo. «World of Strings». (Intakt CD 017) mit dem CD-Cover der Künstler Fischli-Weiss.

Wittwer-Schütz-Lovens «Choice-Chase» (Intakt CD 032). CD-Cover ebenfalls von Fischli-Weiss.

Chockshut mit Hans Koch, Andreas Marti, Jacques Demierre, Martin Schütz, Stephan Wittwer, Fredy Studer (Intakt CD 031).

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September 15, 2024

Filmvorführung IRÈNE SCHWEIZER (CH 2005)

RECK Filmproduktion lädt ins Kino:
4. November, 14 Uhr, Kino Xenix (vis-à-vis Volkshaus)
In Anwesenheit der Regisseurin Gitta Gsell (engl. UT)
keine Anmeldung notwendig.

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September 13, 2024

UPDATE: Memorial for Irène Schweizer in Zurich, 4. November 2024.

IRENE SCHWEIZER
ABSCHIED UND ERINNERUNG
4. November 2024, 19:00 Uhr - Weisser/ Blauer Saal - Volkshaus, Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zürich, Schweiz

Es spielen: Solos, Duos, Trios, Quartett

Pierre Favre: Drums
Maggie Nicols: Voice
Rüdiger Carl: Saxofon, Klarinette, Akkordion
Günter Baby Sommer, Drums
Co Streiff, Saxofon
Sylvie Courvoisier, Piano
Lucas Niggli: Drums
Sarah Chaksad: Saxofon
Katharina Weber: Piano
Omri Ziegele & Yves Theiler: Saxofon, Piano
Hamid Drake: Drums
La Lupa: Voice

Es sprechen:

Rosina Kuhn: Malerin
Suzanne Dietler: Freundin
Anja Illmaier: Intakt Records, Taktlos Festival
Urs Röllin: Schaffhauser Jazzfestival

Moderation
Annina Salis und Patrik Landolt, Verein Freund*innen von Irène Schweizer

Bar im Foyer, Pause mit Apéro. Der Apéro-Wein zum Gedenken an Irène Schweizer ist vom Restaurant Volkshaus offeriert.
Nachtessen im Restaurant Volkshaus ab 17 Uhr. Spezialmenu (Suppe, Fleischkäse/Vegi) für CHF 28.- Tischreservation www.restaurantvolkshaus.ch oder 044 242 11 55

Einlass-Reservation ab 20. Oktober 2024 via Eventfrog (Platzzahl beschränkt)

Spezial-Menu im Restaurant Volkshaus ab 17.00 Uhr. Tischreservation www.restaurantvolkshaus.ch oder 044 242 11 55

Die Abschieds- und Erinnerungsfeier ist organisiert vom Verein Freund*innen von Irène Schweizer. Partnerorganisationen sind Intakt Records, Taktlos-Festival, unerhört!-Festival, Schaffhauser Jazzfestival
Unterstützt von Stadt und Kanton Zürich, Stadt und Kanton Schaffhausen und Stiftungen

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August 29, 2024

Makaya Ntshoko (29 Oct 1939 – 27 Aug 2024)

The drummer Makaya Ntshoko died in Basel on August 17, 2024.
We mourn the loss of an important drummer with a great musical background in
South African music and jazz and a very eventful life in exile.

L to R: Makaya Ntshoko with Irène Schweizer and Omri Ziegele in 2009, Photo: Francesca Pfeffer

Makaya Ntshoko grew up in Cape Town. In South Africa he played with Kippie Moeketsi and Hugh Masekela and performed in the Jazz Epistles with Abdullah Ibrahim Dollar Brand and Johnny Gertze.
At the end of 1962 Makaya Ntshoko left South Africa. In exile in Europe he joined the Dollar Brand Trio. They played at the Africana in Zürich and in the Atlantis at Basel. He recorded with Duke Ellington and performed in the ensembles of Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy, Karl Berger, Don Cherry, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Roland Kirk and Joe Henderson. He opened the first festival in Willisau in the quartet of John Tchicai and Irène Schweizer. A musical milestone is his CD “Song for Biko”, which is dedicated to the freedom fighter Steve Biko and was released in 1978 with Johnny Dyani, Don Cherry and Dudu Pukwana. He leads his own groups such as mid-1970s "Makaya and the Tsotsis" and later the "New Tsotsis" with Andy Scherrer, Vera Kappeler a.a. With the trio "Where's Africa" with Omri Ziegele and Irène Schweizer he had a comeback and recorded 2009 the CD “Can Walk on Sand” (Intakt CD 167). The trio played numerous successful concerts.

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August 6, 2024

Memorial for Irène Schweizer in Zurich, scheduled for November.

IRENE SCHWEIZER
ABSCHIED UND ERINNERUNG
4. November 2024, 19 Uhr, Weisser + Blauer Saal Volkshaus, Zürich

Es spielen: Solos, Duos, Trios
Pierre Favre: Drums
Maggie Nicols: Voice
Rüdiger Carl: Sax, Klarinette, Akkordeon
Günter Baby Sommer: Drums
Co Streiff: Saxofon
Sylvie Courvoisier: Piano
Lucas Niggli: Drums
Sarah Chaksad: Saxofon
Katharina Weber: Piano
Omri Ziegele & Yves Theiler:Saxofon + Piano
Hamid Drake: Drums
La Lupa: Voice

Es sprechen
Rosina Kuhn, Malerin / Suzanne Dietler, Freundin / Anja Illmaier, Intakt
Records / Urs Röllin, Schaffhauser Jazzfestival / Und andere

Moderation und Programm
Patrik Landolt, Verein Freund*innen von Irène Schweizer

Partnerorganisationen der Veranstaltung
Verein Freund*innen von Irène Schweizer, Intakt Records, Taktlos-Festival,
unerhört!-Festival, Schaffhauser Jazzfestival

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August 5, 2024

New website to commemorate the legacy of Irène Schweizer.

We thank you for all your heartfelt condolence emails for Irène Schweizer.
It's clear that Irène's music touched so many of you.
The association Friends of Irène Schweizer have now set up a website where
you can leave a message of condolence and also see updates regarding
commemorative events.

Please visit www.friendsofireneschweizer.com for more info.

Thank you,
Your Intakt Team

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July 17, 2024

The great musical innovator Irène Schweizer has died in Zurich.

Photo: Francesca Pfeffer, 2009

Irène Schweizer passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 83.
She died in Zurich after a long illness.

Irène Schweizer made us happy with her music and enriched the world of jazz as an important innovator.
She co-founded the Taktlos Festival, the unerhört!-Festival and the record label Intakt Records.

We mourn the loss of this great musician and friend.

more info about Irène Schweizer's life and work here>

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May 2024

ARUÀN ORTIZ IS A GUGGENHEIM FELLOW FOR 2024!!
Aruán Ortiz named 2024 Guggenheim Fellow in Music Composition
The Guggenheim Fellowship places Ortiz in a class of so many forward-thinking academics, artists,
scientists, intellectuals, composers, dancers, writers, and researchers, whose work has revolutionized this world.
Congrats Aruán!!!

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April 2024

ANGELIKA NIESCIER AND ALEXANDER SCHLIPPENBACH
WIN THE DEUTSCHER JAZZ PREIS 2024

A massive congratulations to two of Intakt's star players. Well deserved!!

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February 2024

PHYSICAL CD's NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR BANDCAMP SITE!!

So far only available on our recent releases but we will continue to add
physical cd's to our entire catalog.
Visit our bandcamp site.
NOTE: Currently only available to US and Canada customers but this will be expanded later in the year.
Customers outside US/CA please order physical CD's here.

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February 2024

"EINER FÜR ALLES"
Portrait of Tom Rainey in Jazz Podium by Reinhold Unger

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January 2024