deutsch | français | italiano | english

Martin Lechner & Band

The musicians

Martin Lechner	Vocals
Dave Feusi	Saxophone
Oliver Keller	Guitar
Roland Köppel	Keyboards
Patrick Sommer	Double bass
Andy Schnyder	Drums

Martin Lechner, born in Konstanz, Germany Info

Martin Lechner is the latest great voice of soul jazz. He only started singing a few years ago, at first just for his own enjoyment – fresh, modest and free from all pretence. Lechner, who has never taken a singing lesson in his life, was born to sing. His smoky tones, impeccable timing and clear phrasing simply come naturally to him. His amiable and relaxed manner imbue his music with soulful calm reminiscent of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra or Marvin Gaye.

Dave Feusi, born in 1965 in Richterswil (canton of Zurich), Switzerland Info

Dave Feusi started playing the clarinet at a very early age but moved to the saxophone when he was 12. Following an intensive start to his musical education, the young Feusi opted for a professional music career and attended the Konservatorium Zürich from 1985 to 1991.
While there, he formed the Swiss Big Band Eruption, which went on to perform at such jazz festivals as Montreux, Willisau and Lichtensteig. These festivals gave Feusi an opportunity to showcase some of his own arrangements and compositions.
From 1990 to 1993, he amassed orchestral experience at the Zurich Opera House, the Tonhalle Zürich and in further Swiss orchestras including the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, the Paul Sachser Orchestra and Collegium Musicum. Despite tempting offers from the classical music scene, he followed his heart and went to study jazz in Boston, Massachusetts at the Berklee College of Music from 1993 to 1996 under George Garzone and Bill Pierce.
He joined Fatbag in 1994, and they were named Hip Hop Act of the Year at the Boston Music Awards in 1995 and 1996. In 1997, he started his own project with musicians from New York City under the name CIA (Circle of Interactive Art).
Since returning to Switzerland in 1998, Feusi has been involved in various national and international projects. Chief among these are the Clients, Funky Brotherhood, the ContempArabic Jazz Ensemble, the James Brown Tribute Show, Grand Mother’s Funck, Final Source, Philipp Fankhauser, Close to Mars, BLIGG and the Martin Lechner Band.

Oliver Keller, born in 1976 in Zurich, Switzerland Info

Oliver Keller started playing the organ when he was nine years old. He changed to the electric bass at the age of 11 and took up the electric guitar a short while later. After working hard to learn by himself, he enrolled at the Lucerne Jazz School in 1994, graduating summa cum laude after four years of study under Roberto Bosshard and Christy Doran.
Keller’s roots are in rock and blues, but he had no problems crossing over into swinging straight-ahead jazz at 18, and from there he found his way into pop, funk and fusion. He is a highly skilled guitarist thanks to a number of studio jobs and tours and remains open to new influences all the time. Keller has been a permanent member of the Pepe Lienhard Band for several years.
In more than ten years as a professional musician, he has taken some exciting jobs, including three European tours with Udo Jürgens and two tours of Germany with Marshall & Alexander.

Roland Köppel, born in 1975 in Basel, Switzerland Info

Roland Köppel has been playing the piano since 1984. He studied at the Basel Jazz School under Vince Benedetti and others. During his studies, he was an active participant in several jazz workshops held by the New York bebop pianist Barry Harris, whose teaching concept played a key role in his development.
Köppel is quite rightly regarded as one of the most versatile pianists on the Swiss music scene. He has made a name for himself not only as a jazz pianist, but also on keyboards and Hammond organ in a variety of styles. He performs both solo and as a member or leader of numerous bands.

Patrick Sommer, born in 1976 in Zurich, Switzerland Info

Patrick Sommer studied the double bass and electric bass at the Swiss Jazz School in Berne and in Los Angeles. He lives in Zurich and works as a freelance musician. Sommer’s concert schedule is always packed with appearances in Switzerland and abroad, and he also plays and composes for theatre and dance productions.

Andreas “Andy” Schnyder, born in 1968 Info

Andy Schnyder took up the drums in 1983. He studied with the Drummers Collective in New York and at the Drumschool Basel, at the Basel Jazz School and under Alain Tissot and Norbert Pfammatter of the Lucerne Jazz School. Besides the drums, he taught himself to play the classical guitar between 1980 and 1986.
Schnyder stands out through his versatility and affinity for different styles. He has succeeded in combining his broad repertoire of musical influences to create his own unique sound. Well established on the music scene, Schnyder is very much in demand as an instrumentalist for all kinds of live and studio projects.