THAT'S LIFE (2016) - OUT NOW !!

"When Bernd Reiter first approached me about doing a project with Nicole I had some doubts about it. Having worked with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald as well as several other prominent singers I was a bit reluctant. But I must say after hearing Nicole I was really impressed by her understanding of melody and lyrics. Her choice of tunes and her honesty made it an easy choice and I was only too glad to be a part of this wonderful album. “Bravo Nicole” – And still I think she is the “Swiss Deelite” – I hope that this is the beginning of a long musical friendship. Big thanks to Bern, Johannes, Oliver and Jesper for their musicality. It made this project a very easy day – 6 or 7 hours – almost all first takes. Thank you guys. Great job." Don Menza 

Nicole Herzog (voc), Don Menza (ts, arr), Johannes Herrlich (tb), Oliver Kent (p), Bernd Reiter (dr)

Supported by: SRF 2 KULTUR, Migros Genossenschafts Bund

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I LOVES YOU BILLIE (2016) - OUT NOW !!

Copenhagen-based singer Nicole Herzog and Bernese pianist Stewy von Wattenwyl first joined forces on their successful 2012 release “Intimacy“, which went straight to being awarded Swiss Jazz Album Of The Year 2014. Now the two are excited to present their highly anticipated follow-up, “I Loves You Billie“, due for release on Brambus Records. Herzog and von Wattenwyl dedicate their second oeuvre to Jazz greats Billie Holiday and George Gershwin. Holiday would have celebrated her 100th anniversary in 2015 and Gershwin’s musical “Porgy and Bess“ came into being more than 80 years ago. Thus they consciously chose to concentrate on music that had long passed its test of time. 

What’s so captivating about this recording: Jazz history is preserved here, it’s all wrapped up in the classic nostalgia alluding to the smokey basements of New York and Paris in the 1930s. However, don’t be fooled into false expectations: von Wattenwyl’s tasteful arrangements display an affinity for contemporary music, and Herzog’s interpretations vary immensely, from carefully timed delicate phrases to unexpected forceful outbursts. Supported by an unceasingly intense hard swinging band this record shows von Wattenwyl and Herzog at their best, always performing with depth and full of devotion. Don’t miss!

Nicole Herzog (voc), Stewy von Wattenwyl (p, arr), Daniel Bohnenblust (as), Christoph Utzinger (b), Tobias Friedli (d)

Supported by: Kulturstiftung des Kantons Thurgau, Thurgauische Kulturstiftung Ottoberg, Burgergemeinde Bern, Kultur Stadt Bern, Synopta Eggersriet, Stefan Züst Bootsbauhandwerk, Dr. Reinhard H. Czichy

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INTIMACY (2012)

In 2007 Nicole Herzog and Stewy von Wattenwyl met  for the first time on the stage of a club in Zurique and both felt so well working together that they talked about recording soon. Only five years later, in august 2012 a studio session had to be cancelled and so Stewy and Nicole decided spontaneously to record without any practicing. The result of that session is comletely satisfying:

Hard swinging vocal jazz in 5 different settings from duo to quintet, lots of magic moments catched in breathtaking recording quality.

Nicole Herzog (voc), Stewy von Wattenwyl (p, arr), Daniel Bohnenblust (as), Christoph Utzinger (b), Tobias Friedli (d), Beat von Wattenwyl (perc)

Supported by: Kulturstiftung des Kantons Thurgau, Burgergemeinde Bern, Kultur Stadt Bern, Migros Genossenschaft Aare

 

INTIMACY CD Cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hip hip hooray!

Nicole Herzog - Stewy von Wattenwyl Group are the winners of the Swiss Jazz Award 2014

Thank you to the voters, the jury, the organizers and sponsors of the Swiss Jazz Award!

 

 

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Time Will Tell (2007/2008)

In the Fall of 2005, Nicole Herzog, together with percussionist Dominik Deuber, assembled a band that exactly matched her vision. She was sure from the start that she wanted to expand beyond a classical piano trio. The many tones and the energy of a complete wind section were a prerequisite for the project.

In Adrian Mears, she had found a composer, arranger and musician who was able to write challenging and varied compositions and arrangements suiting her voice. The repertoire of the group consists of original compositions by Mears as well as traditional Straight-Aheads and Latin Standards, that, arranged in a fresh and modern way, turn each piece into a new experience.

Nicole Herzog has succeeded in enlisting musicians for the band who are dedicated and well-known in the Swiss Jazz scene. They have been given space for their solo parts, which alternate with arranged parts, and are using it for inspiring inspirations.

Nicole Herzog (voc), Adrian Mears (tb, comp, arr), Johannes Walter (tp), Patrick Bianco (as), Till Grünewald (ts), Philip Henzi (p, rh), Björn Baumgartner (b), Dominik Deuber (d) 

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Collaborations with other musiciens:

 

 

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