CHICO FREEMAN EXOTICA

Their project Exotica is a vibrant soundscape shaped by global influences, boundless creativity, and sheer joy of playing.Chico Freeman ranks among the most distinguished saxophonists in contemporary jazz. Growing up in a musical family in Chicago, he quickly made a name for himself within the city's legendary free jazz scene.

After moving to New York, he collaborated with giants like Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Sun Ra, and Elvin Jones. Freeman's artistic signature is his astonishing stylistic range — effortlessly flowing between grooving mainstream jazz, electric sounds, world music, and cutting-edge avant-garde.


Heiri Känzig, born in New York and raised in Europe, is considered one of Europe’s most outstanding bassists and has been a fixture of the international jazz scene for decades. At just 21, he performed alongside bebop trumpet legend Art Farmer and has since worked with renowned artists such as John Scofield, Billy Cobham, and Pierre Favre. A graduate of the music academies in Graz, Vienna, and Zurich, Känzig combines virtuosity with a distinctive tone that resonates in both jazz and world music. His résumé includes more than 150 album appearances and global tours.


Reto Weber is a master drummer known for his visionary approach, sensitivity, and humor. His captivating solo performances blend visual artistry with stunning soundscapes. A virtuoso on a wide array of percussion instruments — from conventional drum kits and gongs to steel drums and the Senegalese balaphone — Weber has been exploring the world of rhythm since joining his first band at age five. Over the past 25 years, he has toured extensively with soloists such as Albert Mangelsdorff, Eberhard Weber, and Chico Freeman, leaving a lasting impression with his dynamic and imaginative performances.

• CHICO FREEMAN - SAX (USA)
  
• HEIRI KÄNZIG - BASS (USA/CH)
  
• RETO WEBER - PERCUSSION (CH)