Musicians

We are all passionate professional musicians who have acquired many years of professional experience on stages in Switzerland and abroad. Our interplay works on all levels because we speak the same musical language.

• Lilly Thornton (lead vocals)

  .....„Her trademark is her warm and alto voice: seductive, voluminous, thrilling, caressing, and full of nuances in high and low pitches …“ That is what the press wrote about Lilly after a concert she gave in Tübingen (Germany). In the early nineties, the US-Swiss singer and arranger shared the stage with jazz greats such as Benny Golson, Arthur Blythe, Jimmy Woode, and others. These are all experiences which have helped to characterise her work until this very day. Born and raised on jazz and soul music, Lilly now features in a wide array of stylistically different projects. She writes arrangements for her quintet, works with the Frankfurt Jazz Trio and the Soul Diamonds in Stuttgart, and she also freelances for a variety of other projects. In the process, a wide selection of musical companions comprising a „who is who“ of the national and international jazz and soul scene have accompanied Lilly. This unique artist has also released several of her own albums which were highly praised by critics and radio stations. Her references include internationally acclaimed jazz festivals and clubs as well as numerous events by renowned companies and at locations such as ARD Medienlese Wiesbaden, Börse Frankfurt, Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Allianz Arena in Munich, Daimler Benz Stadium in Stuttgart, Petersberg Bonn, etc.

• Nic Niedermann (guitars)

  Nic was born in 1963 in Baden. In 1975, he started to play the guitar. In 1982, he recorded an album with the Swiss rock group Stillwater and went on a nationwide tour. From 1985 until 1992 he studied guitar at the Swiss Jazz School in Berne which he successfully completed with diplomas in composition, arrangement and pedagogics. 1985–1995: Freelance projects with various artists from different countries and musical styles, such as Eric Assante, master drummer from Ghana; Tobias Morgenstern, accordionist from Berlin, and Daniel Küffer, Swiss jazz saxophonist. Composition commissions for the the Theater Claque Baden („Hinterhof“), the circus theatre „Kran“, and „Palais de foux“, Germany. Since 1989, Nic Niedermann has notched up major successes on an international level with his guitar duet Tonic Strings, together with Toni Donadio. In 2004, he was a founding member and guitarist of the widely acclaimed hammond-guitar-drum trio Rotosphere. Since 2005, he is also the electric guitar teacher at the Cantonal School in Wettingen.

• Marcel Vosswinkel (bass and band leader)

  Originally from Winterthur, Marcel completed his musical studies at the Jazz School St. Gallen in 1999 under the supervision of Benz Oester. 2002: Advanced Master of Management of Arts. Since 1995, he has been working professionally as a musician, composer and director of musicals, musical comedies and stage shows as well as a music teacher at the Cantonal Schools in Winterthur and Zurich.

• Eddie Walker (drums & percussion)

  Eddie Walker was born in 1966 in Aldershot, Hampshire (GB). After spending 12 years in the UK and 2 years in the US, he moved to Switzerland in 1979 with his parents and sister. At 16, the Brit took drum lessons with Chris von Hoffmann (Pepe Lienhard, Udo Jürgens) and, over the years, he took part in numerous workshops given by renowned international drummers, i.e. Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, JoJo Mayer, Dom Famularo, Dave Weckl, Gary Chaffee, et al., who all helped him to enhance the skills he proudly hones until this very day. Ever since he started playing the drums, Eddie has played with countless bands and artists on stage and in the studio – all of which have been experiences that characterise his playing and style. Eddie has played at all the major open air festivals in Switzerland (i.e. Paleo, Gurten, St. Gallen, Zofingen) as well as at renowned locations like the Hallenstadion in Zurich, the Piazza Grande in Locarno and the Montreux Jazz Festival. Some artists who Eddie has accompanied live and/or in the studio are Betterworld, Gigi Moto, Martin Schenkel, P-Jay, Nuel, Newland, Cyrano, Rotosphere, Myrto, Griot, Jeff Siegrist, Yvonne Moore, Guido Ettlin (funk project with Manfred Mann lead singer Noel McCalla), Andy White, Jimmy Dillon, Rhonda Dorsey, Hendrix Ackle, Knecht, Peter Finc, and others.

• Gregor Müller (keyboards)

  Gregor Müller was born in Altdorf and began studying the piano with Urs Walter after graduating as an electrical engineer at the ETH Zurich. He completed his piano degree in 1995 with a teaching diploma. Gregor also participated in master classes for song accompaniment with Gérard Wyss and Marianne Kohler. He currently gives piano lessons at the Cantonal School Riesbach in Zurich. Gregor Müller is active as a soloist, chamber musician and choir accompanist. Furthermore, Gregor is a member of different groups – both in the classical genre as well as in mainstream and latin-jazz groups, i.e. Bandanova, Confusion and Triarte. Furthermore, he regularly organises piano and song recitals, as well as working in a trio format together with double bass player Herbert Kramis. In the winter months of 2009/2010, his second album titled „Long Lines“ was released on the Montreux Jazz label, which, among others, was presented by radio DRS 2.

• Michael Allemand (saxophone)

  Michael Allemand, born in 1973, studied saxophone as his major subject with Nat Su and John Voirol at the Jazz School in Lucerne. He completed his studies in 1999 with a teaching diploma. His current musical activities comprise an wide array of commitments and live performances with countless groups and projects, i.e. Mr. Ray’s Class, 21st Century Orchestra, JazzConnection, P-Jay, Dikxson and Stonefamily. His broad stylistic spectrum ranges from jazz to pop and also symphonic music. Some of the renowned locations where Michael has played include the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Moods Jazz Club in Zurich, the Palais X-Tra in Zurich or the KKL in Lucerne. Moreover, he also gives saxophone lessons at many different schools of music.