A saxophonist of far-sighted creativity

Born in 1995, Tapiwa Svosve's saxophone playing has made him a key figure in Swiss jazz today. With his bands and projects, the Zurich-born musician challenges the prevailing cultural structures.

Tapiwa Svosve studied jazz at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). In 2017, Svosve's band District Five was awarded the ZKB Jazz Prize. The group does not play jazz in the classical sense but has been experimenting with elements of fusion and electronica from the very beginning. With albums such as "Burnt Sugar" (2022) and "Pause" (2023), District Five has moved further away from jazz and towards psychedelic rock music. In addition to this band, Tapiwa Svosve performs with musicians such as Evelinn Trouble (Swiss Music Prize 2018), American drummer Hamid Drake and accordionist Tizia Zimmermann. With his solo electronic projects, Svosve is constantly seeking new forms of musical expression. In 2023, he recorded the internationally acclaimed album "The Sport of Love" with Asma Maroof and Patrick Belaga. Tapiwa Svosve has worked for Zurich's Schauspielhaus and co-founded the Gamut Kollektiv, which from 2015 onwards energised Zurich's music scene with new concepts and festivals.

With his interdisciplinary and experimental approach, Tapiwa Svosve provides new impulses and challenges our listening behaviour.