At the Jazz Institute of Jazzcampus Basel, students and their artistic development are at the center of everything we do. The Jazzcampus is an internationally connected hub for contemporary music, where musicians from around the world come together to exchange ideas, collaborate and develop new perspectives. We understand jazz as an open musical practice that connects tradition with contemporary forms of expression and creates space for diverse influences, perspectives and ways of working. Creative curiosity and solid musical craftsmanship go hand in hand, forming the foundation for the development of an individual artistic voice.
Individual Mentoring by Internationally Active Faculty
Through ongoing exchange with faculty members, fellow students and international guests, students develop their own artistic voice, expand their musical skills and gain experience both on and off the stage. Individual mentoring, collaborative work and the close connection between studies and artistic practice shape everyday life at the Jazzcampus.
Around 40 internationally active faculty members work with more than 130 students from around the world. They bring diverse artistic perspectives, practical experience and a wide range of musical backgrounds into lessons, projects and ensembles.
Rehearsing, Performing and Recording Under One Roof
The Jazzcampus brings together spaces for teaching, rehearsing, performing and recording under one roof. Its in-house club, recording studios and a wide range of ensemble and concert formats allow students to continuously develop their work and share it within a vibrant musical community.
The modern building complex is located close to the Rhine and Basel’s historic old town. Its award-winning architecture was designed from the ground up around the needs of music, education and artistic practice, creating an open environment for exchange and collaboration.
Individual learning in a family-like atmosphere
Bachelor Studies
Repertoire, composition, interpretation: getting prepared for the Master's degree
Instrument/Voice or CompositionMusic Secondary Education II, JazzMaster Studies
Events
Our calendar of events is published in cooperation with the Musik-Akademie Basel.
Experience it liveImpressions
Basel Academy of Music is located in the same building as the Basel Music School, in the premises of the Basel Music Academy (MAB). All events are listed in an event calendar präsentiert.
We look forward to seeing you!
All events at the Institut Jazz
News & Stories
News
Neu am Institut Jazz: Kendrick Scott
Neu am Institut Jazz: Savannah Harris
@institutjazz
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History and people
Historical facts
The opening of the Jazzcampus in September 2014 marked a new chapter in the history of the Musik-Akademie Basel. Since then, the Jazzcampus has brought together the Institut Jazz of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW, the Musikschule Basel and the Jazzcampus Club under one roof, creating a shared space for education, artistic practice and cultural exchange.
The story of the Jazzcampus began in 1986 with the founding of the Jazzcasino by Bernhard Ley at the Sommercasino Basel. What started with two teaching rooms and a small office in the basement gradually developed into a place where jazz education and musical exchange could flourish.
In 1991, the Jazz School Basel was officially recognized by the Cantonal School Agreement and the Swiss Association of Music Education (SMPV). In 1996, it relocated to Reinacherstrasse, supported in part by the Christoph Merian Foundation. In 2000, its professional degree program was integrated into the Academy of Music as the Department of Jazz at the Academy of Music Basel FHNW.
In 2008, the Jazz School became part of the Musikschule Jazz, while the Academy of Music Basel was integrated into the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). With the opening of the Jazzcampus Basel on Utengasse in the heart of Basel's Kleinbasel district, the Basel Academy of Music FHNW, the Musikschule Jazz, Focusyear, and the Jazzcampus Club association moved into their shared home in 2014.
Today, more than 200 students of the Musikschule Jazz and over 130 students of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW study and work at the Jazzcampus. Internationally active teachers and faculty members support them in their musical and artistic development.
Architecture and Location
The construction of the Jazzcampus was funded by the Habitat Foundation, while the expansion of the Musikschule Jazz was financed by the Levedo Foundation. Architects Buol & Zünd combined historic architecture with contemporary design to create a building complex conceived from the ground up to meet the needs of music, education and artistic practice. Under one roof, the Jazzcampus brings together spaces for teaching, rehearsing, performing and recording. Its in-house club, recording studios, as well as a wide range of ensemble and concert formats, enable students to continuously develop their work and present it in exchange with fellow musicians. Located close to the Rhine and Basel's historic Old Town, the Jazzcampus provides an open environment for exchange, collaboration and artistic practice.
Institut Jazz
FHNW Basel Academy of Music
Institut Jazz
Utengasse 15
CH - 4058 Basel