"Marco von Orelli was born and raised in Basel, Switzerland. He completed his musical studies at the University of Music and Theatre Winterthur Zürich (HMT) and the University of Music Basel, where he majored in trumpet and improvisation. Additional study programmes: Jazz, New Music (Neue Musik) and free improvised music. Furthermore he took study trips to Den Haag (NL) in 1997 and two years later to Vienna (A). Since 1997 Marco von Orelli occupies himself with composition. He has given Solo concerts (e.g. for the 20-year anniversary of the cultural magazine "Programmzeitung", for the "Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative" in Bern or for Basel's celebrations for being a part of Switzerland for 500 years in 2001).

Marco von Orelli has enjoyed success on stage with the street scene musical by Kurt Weill under the direction of André Bellmont, Werner Düggelin and Heinz Spoerli, as well as with acts such as the George Gruntz Workshop Big Band or with various orchestras like the basel sinfonietta, the Swiss Improvisers Orchestra, TOMMY MEIER - ROOT DOWN, musique brute or Marco von Orelli 5. He is playing in different styles and has been seen giving concerts at such established events as the Jazzfestival Willisau (CH), Jazz à Mulhouse - météo (F) or music unlimited 22 in Wels (A). In 2002 Marco von Orelli toured with the swiss Circus Monti (Music composed by Ben Jeger) and from January 2003 right to the end of 2004 he acted as live musician for the Theatre Puravida in Basel. Marco von Orelli is also known for his collaborations with artists like Flavia Ghisalberti (Butoh-Dancer), Sheldon Suter, Daniel Ott, Jan Schlegel, Christoph Baumann, Co Streiff, Frances Marie Uitti, Johan van Kreij, Béatrice Götz (miR Company), Peter Schärli, Tommy Meier, Omri Ziegele, Michel Wintsch, Christian Weber, Irène Schweizer, Paul Hubweber, Luìs Lopes, Marc Unternährer, Isa Wiss, Luca Sisera, Travassos, Carles Peris, Alex Huber, Frantz Loriot and many more!"

Tommy Meier plays tenor and soprano sax, bass clarinet, percussion.

As an improviser and composer, he has been working in the areas of Jazz, Rock and African music for decades. He was a member of the band BROM, pioneers in punk jazz, free rock and industrial noise; with BROM he toured in Europe, the former GDR, Hungary and Russia. As a member of the CIRCUS THEATER FEDERLOS, the group's extensive travels have taken him to Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and - with KADASH - to Egypt and Central Asia; he has travelled on three European tours with Kadash & The Nile Troup and recorded with them. Additionally, Tommy Meier has played and composed in Co Streiff's Sextet; he is the leader of ROOT DOWN, a large ensemble that brings together 14 outstanding improvisers; the band combines free music and structures from New Music with African music. ROOT DOWN has played on many international festivals and has recorded three highly acclaimed CDs.

"Luca Sisera (b. 27/08/1975, Chur)

For a good 15 years, Luca Sisera has been a sought-after bassist in the Swiss jazz and improvisation scene. Musically, he likes to operate in the charged environment between composition and improvisation. He is frequently seen on stage at various festivals and jazz clubs across Europe in well over 100 concerts each year, whereby some tours and concerts have already taken him to Egypt, China and America. To date, he has been involved in over 30 audio releases, often produced in cooperation with Swiss Radio SRF 2. Most recently, Luca Sisera has also started working as a composer for his own quintet "ROOFER". As interdisciplinary projects have always interested him, Luca Sisera has also worked with authors, cabaret artists, dancers and visual artists, among others, as well as on theatre and film productions.

Collaborations:

Plays and played with: Michael Jaeger, Yves Theiler, Silvio Cadotsch, Michi Stulz, VincentMembrez, Norbert Pfammatter, Urs Leimgruber, Sheldon Suter, Dario Sisera, Franz Hellmüller, Tony Renold, Isa Wiss, Carles Peris, Axel Dörner, Tommy Meier, IrèneSchweizer, Co Streiff, Peter Landis, Greg Osby, Chris Jaeger Brown, Valentin Kessler,Manuel Mengis, Tobi Schramm, Lisette Spinnler, Alex Hendriksen, Nadja Stoller, Oli Kuster,Marco von Orelli, Russ Johnson, Philipp Schaufelberger, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Reto Senn,Dave Gisler, Marc Halbheer, Christoph Irniger, Stefan Rusconi, Christoph Baumann, Valeria Zangger, Christoph Gallio, Alex Huber, Flurin Caviezel, Patricia Draeger, Albin Brun,Georges Kazazian, Bahur Ghazi, Sheila Runa, Jacinta Candinas, Andri Perl, Lukas Mantel, Guy Bettini, Fabio Martini, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Gerry Hemingway and many more"

Drummer Sheldon Suter, born on 22/2/1971 in Locarno, TI, Switzerland, is a member of Musique Brute, Big Bold Back Bone, Marco von Orelli 6, Jurg Wickihalder Orchestra.