Transalpin 14. Jazztage Dübendorf (CH) - Obere Mühle
- Lia Pale
- 19. März
- 3 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: vor 1 Tag
The first time I played with Jean-Paul Brodbeck (piano) and Lukas Traxel (bass) was a little over a year ago—also in Dübendorf. I had met Lukas the year before at the Jazz Festival in Chur and was just starting to take my first steps into performing my own music. For that first round in February 2024, I asked Lukas to join without really knowing him or having played together. I had only heard him live once—but that was more than enough to know. : )
Lukas brought Jean-Paul on board, and that’s when I first performed my songs live with the two of them in Dübendorf. Now here we are, one year later—back in Dübendorf—for a special premiere, this time joined by Ingrid Oberkanins on percussion. Ingrid and I have shared the stage for many years in the world of art song, and it was such a joy to bring her in.
This was the first time our entire setlist consisted solely of original music I had written. It felt like a turning point, a new beginning. I even played the Wurlitzer live on stage, which was also a first!
Jazzfestival Dübendorf is one of those rare gems—an organizer that truly loves what they do and creates a space where artists can experiment, grow, and share. A big thank you goes to the whole crew in Dübi, especially to Andrew for taking such great care of the sound! Over the years, Jazz in Dübi has cultivated a beautiful core audience that’s simply the best. Thomas & Rolf—thank you for believing in me and giving me the space to begin again with music that is so deeply personal. For a long time, I considered myself an interpreter and never dared to step into the space of creating my own music. It took a lot for me to get there. That’s why your support in this vulnerable process—stepping into the role of singer-songwriter—means so much to me.
I had hoped to bring physical copies of my EP with me—180 vinyls, to be exact—but they didn’t arrive in time. Still, that didn’t stop a few wonderful collectors in the audience from buying them anyway. :) Thank you to the incredible audience and to the very first owners of my soon-to-be-released EP, Begin Again.
A very special thank you to my dear Swiss friends who always manage to surprise and support me - thank you Sybilla, Philipp, Oli, Fränzi. I’m so glad I could share this step, these songs, with you. Thank you all for coming out!
SRF recorded the entire concert—and the whole festival—and aired it just a few days later. Before we began, I had the chance to chat with Jodok Hess, who surprised me with truly inspiring questions that gave both the audience and me a chance to connect, even before the music began.
Honestly this concert felt like I was rediscovering myself—as a musician, and as a human. It’s scary, and I don’t know where it will lead, but it feels vulnerable and liberating - and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Thank you, Lukas, JP, and Ingrid, for your incredible musicianship and for breathing life into my songs with such vivid colors. JP’s solos always blow my mind. Lukas’ sound and the way he shapes and carries the foundation is just beautiful. And Ingrid—you connected all the dots that were waiting. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. Your duo with Lukas was wildly inspiring, and the way you feel into my songs truly moves me.
And then, Ingrid gave me one of my favorite stage moments ever: her brilliant idea to start Canvas with a shaker duo solo! We only had one afternoon to rehearse together—not much time for a premiere (that was being recorded live, no less!)—but we managed to squeeze in the shaker duo practice, and it just clicked. It was so much fun, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I know I want to do this at every concert now. I mean it!
What else can I say? Unicorns kept appearing—around Dübendorf, on gin bottles gifted by the wonderful Schnyders, even as a trophy at the venue. I took it as a very good sign…
My EP Begin Again will be out on May 30th (Supreme Music Group).
Thank you, Dübi—from the bottom of my heart—for being part of this beginning. Again.
Yours,Lia aka Julia
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