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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».

 

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
Alicia Keys at BALOISE SESSION 2017

I am having a really good time being here with you… this is nice! I can’t believe I have never been here before. How come I have never been here before?! Like this is crazy. I love this energy, I love this vibe.

Alicia Keys

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

First Eurovision live broadcast

First Eurovision live broadcast

2006
Sir Elton John at Baloise Session 2006

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.

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