For more than 4 decades, Stephan Kurmann has been one of the best-known bassists in Switzerland, an integral part of the jazz scene in Europe and for 2 decades also in his second home and current main place of residence, Brazil.

Born on 29.4.1958 in Basel. Started playing electric bass self-taught at the age of 12, switched to double bass after 2 years, had his first lessons with Peter Bockius and soon played in a variety of local jazz formations, began his professional career in 1978 and accompanied many jazz legends such as Chet Baker, Wild Bill Davison, Mal Waldron, Harald Mabern, Lee Konitz, Kirk Lightsey, Steve Grossman and many more. He has played and toured with international formations throughout Europe, Brazil, Asia, Australia, the USA, Cuba, South Africa and Madagascar in clubs and at festivals. In 1987 he graduated from the “Swiss Jazz School Bern”, was a member of the symphony orchestra “basel sinfonietta” and founded the “Stephan Kurmann Strings” with Andy Scherrer on saxophone, Doug Hammond (later Makaya Ntshoko and Julio Barreto) on drums and a string quartet. This formation has continued to develop and expand over almost 30 years, attracting great attention in the press and at many concerts and creating 5 CDs. In this context, he also invented a pickup for string instruments, “the Kurmann Soundpost”.