The magic of Baloise Session – since 1986
The Baloise Session in Basel has been writing music history for 40 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».
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.
The Rheinknie Session is born
Photo: Oscar Peterson at Baloise Session
Basel, May 1986: The first Rheinknie Session was born. Five sold out concerts thrilled music fans from northwestern Switzerland with artists like Oscar Peterson, Albert Collins and Koko Taylor. The founders of this successful concert series were Enrico Bonometti, Matthias Müller and Stephan Werthmüller. The three music lovers from the region had already made a name for themselves by organizing jazz, blues and rock concerts.
Breakthrough with international star Miles Davis
Photo: Miles Davis at Baloise Session
The national breakthrough came when jazz legend Miles Davis performed at the festival in 1988. Music lovers from all over Switzerland came to Basel and experts in the music scene discovered the festival. Claude Nobs, one of the founders of the Montreux Jazz Festival, was so enthusiastic about the festival that he immediately decided to become a patron.
The festival presents music styles from jazz to funk
Photo: Dr. John at Baloise Session
The music festival, which had first focussed on blues, jazz and gospel, opened itself up to other music styles in 1995. With a new mix, including world music, soul and funk as well as internationally successful artists, the festival started to appeal more and to a younger audience and also gained in prestige.
The Rheinknie Session becomes Avo Session Basel
Photo: Avo Uvezian, Avo Cigars
In 1998, AVO Cigars became the new presenting sponsor of the music festival, which was subsequently renamed Avo Session Basel. With its new name, the music festival also took on an international dimension. At the same time, the festival management succeeded in developing the event into a unique musical experience with top-class artists such as Nina Simone, Randy Crawford and Sir Bob Geldof, as well as an exclusive supporting programme.
The first TV broadcasts on SRF and 3sat
Photo: Candy Dulfer at Baloise Session
Swiss TV became the official media partner of the festival in1999 and when it started to record all of the concerts. The TV broadcasts on SRF2 and 3sat established the Basel music festival’s media presence in other German-speaking countries.
20 years of success as a music festival
Photo: Seal at Baloise Session
After 20 years, the festival had established itself as a European festival. The festival won the International Sponsoring Award presented by FASPO in the culture category. Major headliners took the stage that year: Seal, Status Quo, Vaya Con Dios, Simply Red and a-ha.
First Eurovision live broadcast
Photo: Sir Elton John at Baloise Session
The live broadcast of Elton John’s concert throughout Europe marked the international television breakthrough of the festival. Swiss TV records all of the concerts and many are broadcasted on all five continents in collaboration with the television marketing company «C Major Entertainment GmbH».. Swiss Radio SRF also regularly broadcasts the concerts live or prerecorded.
Emotional concert experiences in the comfort of your own home
Photo: Solomon Burke at Baloise Session
In 2007, the first of a projected series of DVDs was released, featuring Solomon Burke’s performance in 2003. Soon after, further DVDs were released featuring Jethro Tull, Katie Melua and Paul Anka.
The festival celebrates its jubilee
Photo: Jamiroquai at Baloise Session
After 25 years, the festival was more successful than ever, repeatedly bringing the world’s biggest stars to Basel. Already in 2010, 20,000 music lovers flocked to Basel to enjoy the first class programme and the intimate club-like setting.
The music festival makes history
An anniversary book commemorating the 25th anniversary of the music festival was published in 2011. This high quality edition chronicled the highlights of 25 years of thrilling festival history with captivating photos and fascinating stories. Without the loyal support of our «Friends of the AVO SESSION Basel», this book would not have been possible.
Goodbye Avo Session Basel – welcome Baloise Session
Photo left to right: Beatrice Stirnimann, Avo Uvezian, Matthias Müller, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard (CEO Oettinger Davidoff Group)
During the construction of the new event hall, the AVO SESSION Basel took place at the Musical Theater Basel with concert seating. The 2012 festival edition marked the end of the current festival name and the festival's partnership with presenting sponsor AVO Cigars. It was announced that starting in 2013, the festival would be called Baloise Session with the new presenting sponsor Baloise and would take place at the Congress Center Basel in the new event hall designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
New name, same boutique festival
Photo left to right: Michael Müller (CEO «Basler Versicherungen»), Ritschi, Matthias Müller, Beatrice Stirnimann
With the festival name Baloise Session, a fresh corporate design and the modern Event Hall of the Basel Fair, a new era began for the music festival. With Opening Night on 25 October 2013 the first Baloise Session kicked off with a bang.
30 Years of Magic
Basel's boutique music festival is turning 30! Opening Night on 23 October 2015 will ring in the 30th anniversary festival editon. From then until 12 November, we will be celebrating 30 years of the festival with top quality acts such as Toto und Iggy Pop and promising newcomers like James Arthur.
Farewell, Matthias
Photo: Matthias Müller, Festivalfounder
In July 2016 the Baloise Session lost its devoted, innovative President and festival founder, Matthias Müller, who passed away at the age of 51 after a serious illness. His long-time business partner and CEO Beatrice Stirnimann, the Members of the Board around Steffi Werthmüller and the entire Baloise Session-Team will continue to run the festival – his life's work – in accordance with his wishes, and in honour of his memory.
Matthias, your festival team will hold you for ever in their hearts!
Baloise Session @home
Photo: Baschi at Baloise Session @home
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.
40 years full of magic moments
Four decades of musical highlights: The Baloise Session celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since 1986, this unique festival has been captivating music fans with unforgettable concerts and international top acts. For the anniversary, visitors can look forward to live performances by world-renowned artists such as Amy Macdonald, Queens of the Stone Age, and Duran Duran — a celebration of music that continues to write the remarkable story of the Baloise Session.