With both these records, Wilde Señoritas and Hexensabbat, the young pianist from Switzerland presented her first solo recordings, in 1977 and 1978 respectively: a firework of modern jazz piano music. The first solo records of a female European jazz pianist were listened to as a manifesto of free music and as a document of emancipation. Wilde Señoritas and Hexensabbat count today, twenty-five years later, as classics of modern jazz music. A great female pianist can be heard on hese recordings, mostly made live. Schweizer's technique was already developed, her influences and roots can be heard clearly. In a record review of Hexensabbat, the musician Lindsay Cooper emphasized back then that Irène Schweizer was experimental as well as warm and communicative Ð qualities that still characterize the music of Irène Schweizer today. The records Wilde Señoritas and Hexensabbat have been out of print for a good ten years. Intakt Records obtained the rights from the Berlin label FMP and is now re-releasing both records as a double CD. The CD booklet documents the original record covers, contains photos from the Berlin photographer Dagmar Gebers from the live concerts and an extensive interview from Patrik Landolt with Irène Schweizer about the time of the awakening of European jazz and the development of Irène SchweizerÕs piano music.

Cover Art: Peter Frey
Liner Notes: Patrik Landolt
Photos: Dagmar Gebers

WILDE SEÑORITAS Recorded Nov 4, 1976 live at the Total Music Meeting in Berlin by Franz De Byl. First released 1977 on FMP. Cd-remastering: Peter Pfister. Released on Intakt Records 2002. Published and copyright by Intakt Records.
Hexensabbat and Rapunzel are recorded 1978 live at Townhall Charlottenburg, Berlin. Chabis, Choix Mixed, Dykes On Bykes, Lavener Valse, Monke Woman and Baba-Rum recorded at FMP-Studio Berlin, October 10, 1977. First released 1978 on FMP. CD-Remastering: Peter Pfister. Released on Intakt Records 2002. Published and copyright by Intakt Records. Executive production: Patrik Landolt