Samuel Blaser

Winner of the 2019 “Prix du Musicien européen” from the Académie du Jazz in Paris , as well as the 2021 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll (“Rising Star Trombone”), Samuel Blaser is a 21st-century trombonist. Born in 1981 in the town of La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, he emerged professionally after graduating from conservatory in 2002. During the next five years, he developed associations with the Vienna Art Orchestra and the European Radio Big Band, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, pursued graduate studies at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music, State University of New York, and recorded his first album as a leader, the Samuel Blaser Quartet’s 7th Heaven (Between The Lines). After living 16 years abroad in New York and Berlin, he has been back in his hometown since December 2021.

The foundations of Blaser’s art are the breadth of his influences, his technical fluency, and the clarity with which he applies these assets. He grew up learning classical and Swiss folk music as well as jazz, and his projects include jazz-informed investigations of operatic, rock, and blues music. He understands that growth is relational and has sought out and sustained relationships with veteran musicians such as Pierre Favre, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ducret, Paul Motian, Oliver Lake, and Daniel Humair—each of whom has helped him to develop his own sense of identity.

He exercises the full range of the trombone’s possibilities, including fluid melodic statements, emphatic rhythmic punctuations, earthy interjections, and abstract sound effects—all with a clear sense of purpose. He approaches each endeavor as a leader and collaborator with a defined goal in mind and an understanding of what each musical situation requires from him. Blaser’s responsiveness is never more evident than in his solo performances, which use his bold sound to draw out the qualities of both architectural and environmental settings.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all musicians to suspend touring. However, Blaser’s response illustrated another aspect of his resourcefulness: while he was off the road, he set up a label called Blaser Music that issued 20 albums. He also created a sub-label called SONGS that releases music from other musicians, starting with Russ Lossing. As soon as Europe began to reopen, he returned to the stage playing concerts with his own groups and as a sideman for Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, and Marc Ducret.
Born and raised in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Blaser lived in New York City for many years before relocating to Berlin, where he currently resides. He began trombone lessons at the age of 9, and his early interests ranged from Swiss folk music to American R&B and jazz. He entered the local conservatory at 14 and graduated in 2002 after being awarded prizes in both the jazz and classical spheres, including the 2000 Benny Golson Prize. Participation in the heralded Vienna Art Orchestra and European Radio Big Band eventually led to a Fullbright Scholarship, facilitating studies in the United States at the SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Music. A year later, Samuel won the J.J. Johnson Prize in 2006.

In his relatively short career, Blaser has worked with Swiss percussion legend Pierre Favre, pianist Hal Galper, drummer John Hollenbeck, saxophonist Michael Blake and François Houle's 5+1 group; he has worked closely with Grammy Award winning producer Robert Sadin and most recently with Billy Mintz.

2015 will see Blaser touring with two trios: one with guitarist Marc Ducret featuring Danish drummer Peter Bruun and the other with French pianist Benoit Delbecq and American drummer Gerry Hemingway. As of November, Blaser is back on the road with his original quartet to promote his new album Spring Rain (Whirlwind Recordings) an homage to Jimmy Giuffre, with Russ Lossing on piano, Drew Gress on bass and drummer Gerald Cleaver.
Born and raised in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Blaser lived in New York City for considerable time before relocating to Berlin, where he currently resides. 2013 will be a busy year for the trombonist, as he tours with two new trios: one that, in addition to Ducret, will also feature Danish drummer Peter Bruun; and a second with French pianist Benoit Delbecq and American drummer Gerry Hemingway. Blaser will also reunite his Consort in Motion (Kind of Blue, 2011) group with pianist Russ Lossing, Belgian reed player Joachim Badenhorst, bassist Drew Gress and Hemingway, replacing the late Paul Motian from the recording. Between recording and touring with his own groups and collaborating in other leaders' ensembles, Blaser's career continues on an upward trajectory that seems to have no end in sight.