Swiss Jazz mavericks, Fischermanns Orchestra, are bringing their explosive street Jazz to five cities across South Africa. Their tour kicks off with two performances at the world-renowned Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, to be held in Sandton on 26 to 28 September. The Space Revolution tour then moves to coastal venues in Durban, East London, Gqeberha and Cape Town between 1 and 5 October.

Imagine, if you will, an archaic rumbling orchestral sound with blaring brass fanfares, punky vocals, filigree electronic sounds and rousing grooves, and you’ll have some idea of the music of Fischermanns Orchestra. It’s a masterful intertwining of Jazz improvisation, ambient textures, and world influences with classically influenced orchestration. This bold combination delivers visually arresting performances that evoke deep emotional resonance, intellectual curiosity, and rhythmic exhilaration – creating an experience that transcends cultural and generational boundaries.

Celebrating fifteen years together, Fischermanns Orchestra is a nine-piece ensemble who have performed more than 300 concerts on four continents, sharing their exuberant and wildly creative music with captivated audiences across the globe. They have released eight albums to date, and been recognised with multiple awards including the prestigious Jazzpreis Luzern (Switzerland).

Fischermanns Orchestra. Picture supplied

With a widespread and avid international following, the musically free and footloose Fischermanns Orchestra has performed everywhere from street parties and clubs through to the stages of major festivals, such as the Jazzfestival Willisau, Carlo Jazz Festival and FestiJazz Internacional in Bolivia. Niklaus “Knox” Troxler, Director of Jazzfestival Willisau, has said “The freshness, enthusiasm and abandon which Fischermanns Orchestra exudes is seldom found today. It is precisely this joy of playing that is the essence of any music that is able to touch the heart.”

Fischermanns Orchestra is an intoxicatingly exciting band to see live. Their music is characterized by its improvisational nature, with sections of “soundpainting” guided by hand signals, creating a dynamic and unpredictable performance for the listener. The band members can’t wait to have local audiences experience their distinct blend of supersonic free Jazz combined with elements of electro-world music, South American rhythms, African hues and Eastern European Folk music.

The ensemble comprises of bandleader Thomas Reist who plays bass drum and drums, Samuel Hopfengärtner on trumpet, Lino Blöchlinger on alto sax, Sebastian Strinning on tenor sax, Simon Petermann on trombone and co-band leader, Josephine Nagorsnik on trombone, vocals and electronics, Elia Aregger on guitar, Linus Meier on electric bass and Reto Eisenring on snare drum and drums. After their performance at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, they will perform in Durban on 1 October, East London on 2 of October, Gqeberha on 3 October, Cape Town on Saturday on 4 and 5 October. For more information on venues and ticket links, visit bandsintown.com