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.

He was born on 29.4.1958 in Basel. He has accompanied many jazz legends such as Chet Baker, Mal Waldron, Lee Konitz, Steve Grossman, played and toured with international formations throughout Europe, Brazil, Asia, Australia, USA, South Africa, Madagascar in clubs and at festivals. In 1987 he 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 continuously expanded over almost 30 years and created 5 CDs. In this context, Stephan Kurmann also invented a pickup for string instruments, “the Kurmann Soundpost”.

His versatility as a sideman is documented on many CDs, among others with Dado Moroni, Adrian Mears, William Evans, Mark Soskin, Jorge Rossy, Gabriele Mirabassi, Ralph Moore, Gary Smulyan. Including many CDs with Brazilian musicians such as Aliéksey Vianna, Cléber Alves, Fabio Gouvêa, Magno Alexandre, produced in Switzerland as well as in Brazil.

In 1994, he founded the “bird’s eye jazz club” and was Artistic Director until 2022.