Baloise Session Backline Blog

Memorabilia from icons the likes of Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Kurt Cobain are priceless in the world of rock. In Basel there's an institution that boasts one of the largest and most significant collections from the rock and pop scene: the L’Unique Foundation. With its appearance at the Baloise Session, it is drawing attention to the good cause to which it is committed, and reveals the stories behind its coveted exhibits. For the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Basler Kantonalbank – we met up with the founder and CEO Andy Ibach for a fascinating talk about music, people, passion and engagement.

Dive into the fascinating song worlds of artists from Chuck Berry to Ms. Lauryn Hill, and discover what makes their hits so soulful. Is it the stirring melody or the meaningful lyrics? This intriguing question is examined in the ninth edition of the «Baloise Session Backline Blog» – brought to you by AMAG. Eric Facon, one of Switzerland's most renowned music journalists, a well-known voice on Radio SRF and writer with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, talks to Zeno van Essel, the host of the Backline Blog and reveals amusing anecdotes about world-famous hits, including some surprising insights into the creative work of international stars from Elton John to Stiller Has.

Although the history of the guitar goes back 5000 years, it is still THE symbol of rock music. Its characteristic sound has shaped world-famous rock anthems, ballad solos and jazz virtuosity for over 70 years. Yet little is actually known about the true soul of this instrument. In the new edition of our backline blog – brought to you by Novartis – we introduce you to a specialist who is one of the world's best restorers of guitars and developers of electric guitars: Gary Levinson!

For the past 38 years, the Baloise Session has played host to the world of music. As «Host City» of the renowned festival, Basel itself also boasts a vibrant music culture. One reason for this is that Basel deliberately promotes music culture and also supports it financially, logistically and administratively. Responsibility for this lies with the Basel Music Bureau. In the new edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Host City Basel – head of bureau Alain Schnetz gives a fascinating insight into the Basel music scene and an association that plays a key role in encouraging the creation of new music in Basel that conquers the charts time and again.

The Hammond organ: without it, famous rock anthems and pop songs would not be the super-hits they are. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Basler Kantonalbank – we give you an interesting insight into this fascinating instrument which, to this day, delivers a unique sound. The history of the Hammond organ, how it works, and the secrets of rock music associated with it, are told by a legendary Swiss cult figure from the rock scene: Bobby Leiser, founder of the Swiss Cheese & Chocolate Backline Company. In addition, Swiss Hammond specialist Christophe Heule demonstrates the functions of a Hammond organ and reveals its fascinating inner workings.

Welcome to the fascinating world of the trombone! This venerable instrument, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, also plays an important role in today's entertainment music – whether it's jazz or funk. For example, what would the sound of Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Kool & the Gang or James Brown be like without those distinctive brass sections? In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Baloise – we take a closer look at this fascinating instrument with the aid of a prominent guest who is a great music-lover, who with his company is strongly committed to music and the Baloise Session, and who even plays the trombone himself: Michael Müller, CEO Switzerland, Baloise.

The latest edition of our backline blog is devoted to the topic after which the blog is named and introduces a fascinating personality: Cathya Leiser, the CEO of the Swiss Cheese and Chocolate Backline Ltd., Switzerland’s best-known backline company, which enjoys a worldwide reputation. Founded by her parents, who were already preparing the stage for the world's biggest stars and festivals back in the 1960s, Cathya is the second generation to head up the company. At the Baloise Session she gives us a peek behind the scenes, explains what the job of a backline technician involves, and tells us what life so close to the limelight – yet always in its shadow – is like.

Its sound defines modern pop and rock music. Nowadays, live concerts would be unthinkable without it: the synthesizer. This fascinating musical instrument also plays an important role in jazz, as demonstrated by one of today’s most exciting bands, who will be topping the bill at the Baloise Session on 10 November: Snarky Puppy from the USA. But what actually is a synthesizer? And what makes it such an exciting instrument musically? In its third Backline Blog, the Baloise Session is guest at the studio of leading Swiss jazz musician, composer, teacher and pioneer of electronic music Bruno Spoerri, who is held in high regard throughout the world and at the age of 87 is still active in the industry.

Women's voices have a special significance in pop music. In a business still very much dominated by men, they embody a wide range of emotions – from love to anger, from vulnerability to pride. At this year's Baloise Session, two characteristic female voices can be heard that are very different, but completely captivate the listeners: that of the Italian canzoni diva Elisa and that of the Hamburg chart-topper Zoe Wees. But how do their voices differ? In the Backline Blog of the Baloise Session, a specialist investigates this question: Tanja Dankner!

In the first blog post – brought to you by the Basler Kantonalbank – we compare two songs which come from two completely different music scenes and yet are very similar in musical terms. Both were huge hits by famous artists who will be appearing live at this year's Baloise Session: «Je Veux» by French singer Zaz and «Oh Jonny» by funk-master Jan Delay from Hamburg.