MOODS Zurich – promoting the future of jazz

The Zurich based music club Moods offers essential live concerts in the fields of jazz & world, funk & soul, as well as experimental and electro.

With a whopping 300+ concerts per season (September to June) and a range from international stars to newcomers with new influences, Moods has also become an indispensable venue for the Zurich musical scene: “Moods is a crucial stage for Swiss musicians,” explains marketing manager Simon Fischer. “Half of all concerts are projects by local musicians with a strong focus on the local jazz scene.”

Moods Schiffbau venue, interior.

The jazz club was founded in September 1992 by the Jazz Verein Moods association. Initially based in the Selnau borough, the club moved to the so-called Schiffbau at the start of the new millennium – a picturesque brick hall at the Zurich Schiffbauplatz square, where ships for Swiss lakes and engines for the world’s oceans used to be built. In this extremely attractive environment, Moods reopened in 2000 with space for 500 standing or 250 seats respectively, a better view of the stage as well as excellent acoustics. In 2011, the club was included in the coveted list of the 150 best jazz venues world-wide by the American magazine DownBeat.

Moods Bar.

In summer 2016, a 3 million conversion was completed thanks to many supporters, bringing a new colour and lighting concept, an angular bar and a completely new technical system, including the prerequisites for the Moods streaming portal. Thanks to the latter, Moods concerts can be streamed live and on demand since 2017 – a win-win situation for all parties involved, as the digital offer serves as additional income for the musicians.

Moods is more than just a concert hall – it celebrates diversity by presenting a broad spectrum of styles and influences, thus serving as a meeting place where people can share their passion for music. Simon Fischer concludes; “Aside from its mission to push musical boundaries and help shape the future of jazz, Moods is a place where anyone with an interest in live music immediately feels at home.”

Moods Schiffbau venue, exterior.

Web: www.moods.ch

Coming highlights of the 2025 season:

09.10 Nik West
18.10 Islandman
06.11 Peter Somuah Group
10.11 LINA_
14.11 Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek
15.11 Gansch & Roses
18.11 Emmet Cohen
20.11 Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots
27.11 Orchestra Baobab
04.12 Florian Favre Trio
09.12 Jowee Omicil
12.12 Fulu Miziki