Samuel's Biography

Samuel Blaser: A 21st-Century Trombone Revolutionary

Winner of the prestigious 2019 "Prix du Musicien européen" from the Académie du Jazz in Paris and the 2021 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll ("Rising Star Trombone"), Samuel Blaser is redefining what it means to be a trombonist in today's musical landscape. Born in 1981 in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, this dynamic artist burst onto the professional scene after graduating from conservatory in 2002, quickly making waves across continents.

During his formative years, Blaser forged powerful connections with the Vienna Art Orchestra and the European Radio Big Band, earned a coveted Fulbright Scholarship, and pursued graduate studies at Purchase College Conservatory of Music in New York. His debut album as a leader, the Samuel Blaser Quartet's 7th Heaven (Between The Lines), marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. After 16 transformative years living between New York and Berlin, absorbing the pulse of two of the world's most vibrant music scenes, he returned to his Swiss roots in December 2021, bringing with him a wealth of international experience.

A Musical Alchemist

The secret to Blaser's magnetic artistry lies in his fearless embrace of musical diversity. Raised on a rich diet of classical music, Swiss folk traditions, and jazz, he has evolved into a genre-bending innovator who fearlessly explores operatic grandeur, rock intensity, and blues authenticity. His musical philosophy centers on growth through collaboration, leading him to forge meaningful relationships with legendary figures including Pierre Favre, Michel Portal, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ducret, Paul Motian, Oliver Lake, Wallace Roney, Russ Lossing, and Daniel Humair—each master contributing to his evolving artistic identity.

Blaser wields his trombone like a sonic chameleon, seamlessly transitioning from liquid melodic passages to explosive rhythmic punctuations, from earthy gut-level expressions to otherworldly sound explorations—all delivered with laser-focused intentionality. Whether leading his own ensembles or collaborating with others, he approaches each musical encounter with strategic vision and intuitive understanding of what the moment demands. His solo performances are particularly electrifying, using his bold, commanding sound to unlock the hidden musical potential of both architectural spaces and natural environments.

Entrepreneurial Visionary

When global circumstances temporarily silenced live music, Blaser channeled his creative energy into an ambitious entrepreneurial venture. He launched Blaser Music, a label that has already released an impressive catalog of 20 albums, establishing himself not just as a performer but as a tastemaker and cultural curator. His sub-label SONGS extends this vision further, providing a platform for other innovative musicians, beginning with the acclaimed Russ Lossing.

Today, Blaser continues to electrify audiences across Europe, performing with his own groundbreaking ensembles while also bringing his distinctive voice to collaborations with jazz luminaries Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, and Marc Ducret. Through Blaser Music, he's not just making music—he's shaping the future of jazz, one bold release at a time.

Samuel Blaser is a XO Sophisticated Brass Artist.