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Festival History

The magic of the Baloise Session -

since 1986

The Baloise Session in Basel has been writing music history for 37 years. Musical legends like Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Ray Charles or James Brown have enriched our festival. But also stars of today Eric Clapton, Elton John, P!nk or Alicia Keys have set the magical and intimate concert hall of the Baloise Session «on fire».

 

Donavon Frankenreiter at BALOISE SESSION 2016

It was one of the most amazing things to be a part off. Such an amazing festival, beautiful building, amazing crowd.

Donavon Frankenreiter | Singer-Songwriter
Monty Alexander at BALOISE SESSION 2014

Immediately as I put my hands on the piano, I say yeah, all right. So for me this event and this venue is wonderful.

Monty Alexander
Charles Bradley at BALOISE SESSION 2014

The people here, the love here… I see this like brothers and sisters are having a good time. And it was a beautiful moment that I will never forget.

Charles Bradley

Our festival has evolved from a regional jazz, blues and gospel concert venue to an international music festival. That's a long time and there are some exciting stories to tell about it. If you have the time and inclination to get to know our history better, then browse through our stories here.

OUR HISTORY - SINCE 1986

Baloise Session @home

Baloise Session @home

2020-2021
Baschi at Baloise Session @home 2021

March 2020: Switzerland goes into lockdown. We immediately launch the virtual concert series Baloise Session @home together with presenting sponsor Basler Versicherungen. The aim: to entertain the population with the soul food of music and to ensure concert performances for the music scene.

In May, the Corona-related festival cancellation and the joint decision to continue the Baloise Session @home livestream series until the end of December 2020.
 
Each show will be supplemented with a personal interview of the performing artists and a nationwide media campaign will be launched to expand the reach.

The second festival cancellation in January 2021 will be followed by the extension of the series until December 2021 and the transformation to a hybrid livestream hospitality event in the summer.

The 22 interviews and livestreams with great acts such as Stephan Eicher, Milow, Anna Rossinelli, BLAY and Mario Biondi will become an emotional contemporary document of the pandemic.

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