Dani Felber Big Band, 2024

Singers: Alicia Olatuja (New York, USA), Matt Dusk (Toronta, Canada)
Rhythem Section: Terry Brewer (Baltimore, USA) Emerson Villani (Sao Paolo, Brasil) Richie Goods (New York, USA) Eddie Metz Jr. (Orlando USA)
Trumpets: Andrea Tofanelli (Torre de Lago Puccini, Italy) Fabio Bau (Verona, Italy) Philipp Staud (München, Germany) Rich Laughlin (Minneapolis, USA)
Trombones: Lukas Jochner (Ulm, Germany) Oswaldo Garcia (Venezuela) Franco Casanova (Venezuela)
Saxes: Alex Han (New York, USA) Rene Riebli (Stalden, Swiss) Pius Baumgartner (Samedan, Swiss) Paolo Favini (Milano, Italy) Dario Cecchini (Florenz, Italy)

Dani Felber has been on stage for 45 years!

– He has 12 recordings under his name, self-produced.
– The CD “A Portrait of Dani” sold over 65,000 copies in Switzerland.
– Concerts in the USA, Africa, England, and throughout Europe.
– The Dani Felber Big Band has been around for 25 years.
– 50 original Big Band compositions.
– Approximately 600 original Big Band arrangements.
– Recipient of the Award of the International Association of Jazz Educators, New York in 1998.
– Chrysler Jazz Winner at Montreux in 2000.
– Swiss Jazz Award at Ascona in 2010.
– Inducted into the Big Band Hall of Fame in Florida, USA in 2011.
– Recipient of the Rotary Cultural Award in 2012.
– He has his own Member Club (Jazz Club) in his own event venue VILLA FELBER.
– Performed with the following stars on stage: Judith Hill, Tony Lindsay, James Morrison, Candy Dulfer, Gregor Meyle, Pegasus, Nik West, Gipsy Kings, Johnny Logan, Naturally 7, Ida Nielsen, Incognito, Eric Marienthal, Clark Terry, Be Ignacio, Roberto Blanco, Barbara Morrison, Albert Hammond, Till Brönner, The Italian Tenors, Bill Ramsey, Paul Kuhn, Hazy Osterwald, DJ Antoine, Sina, Michael von der Heide, Phillip Fankhauser and others.

2025
The anniversary year, 25 years of the Dani Felber Big Band, is celebrated with a Swiss tour featuring singers Tony Lindsay, Stefano Langone, and Alicia Olatuja. Numerous TV and radio stations report on the event, and it is featured on the cover of Akzent, Telejazz, and Jazztime magazine. He composes and produces the song “I Fall in Love Again,” with lyrics by Tony Lindsay. Dani calls his new program with his small band “Jazz Party.” He arranges jazz standards with party and rock song motifs to bring jazz to a wider audience. He shares the stage with Mitch Winehouse (Amy Winehouse’s father), Kurt Elling, and once again with Judith Hill and Tash Neal. He performs additional full moon concerts at his home and 15 sold-out Christmas concerts (1600 attendees). The airlines Swiss and Edelweiss include his music (21 original compositions) in their in-flight entertainment programs. Revox is re-releasing its 2014 Big Band recording as studio tapes.

2024
With the band Incognito, Naturally 7, Cyrille Aimee, Gipsy Kings, Nik West, Tony Lindsay, Dani Felber takes the stage in his club. His song “Ready for Fredy,” where Felber himself also raps, is online. For the Groppenfasnachtsumzug parade, he and his Villa team are building a float. 4000 unsold “Dani Felber” CDs adorn his float. Felber himself is on the float live with singer Reggie Saunders. Over 10,000 spectators cheer on the Villa Felber team. He performs on stage with the Cuba Quartet by Jorge Luis Pacheco, singer Teneia from New Orleans, and at one of his Full Moon concerts, he is surprised by New York rock guitarist Tash Neal (Lenny Kravitz, Slash) who is in the audience and spontaneously joins him on stage to play. 12 consecutive Dani Felber Big Band concerts with Alicia Olatuja and Matt Dusk at Villa Felber are part of the traditional Christmas concerts (1300 guests!).

2023
Dani Felber on stage with stars like Gregor Meyle, Tony Lindsay (11 grammys) or for the third time with Judith Hill (duett partner from miachel jackson and prince ). His arrangement „Rock meets Jazz“ plays dani on swiss television „SRF bi de Lüt“. With his orchestra he played at the james bond gala in the bürgenstock hotel. His eventvilla called villa felber, is honored with the title „most beautiful eventlocation in switzerland“ with a (9.2) points award from „swiss portal eventlocation“. Over 1’100 guest’s visited the christmas concert‘s in his villa felber. Dani plays with his small-band, tony lindsay, lisa doby and the italian tenors. The magazine „who is who“ put dani in the top 100 Thurgau Personalities for 8 time‘s in a row.

2022
Dani plays the trumpet-part on “Sunset in Duby“ from DJ Antoine and he is asked to play as a guest soloist with Judith Hill (duet partner of Michael Jackson and Prince). He played at the international Week of Music in Grenchen, with his Big Band and Johnny Logan (3 times Eurovision Song Contest Winner). He is on stage as a solo artist with Ida Nielsen (bassist Prince), Pegasus, Puppini Sisters, Ona Onabule, Chien Chien Lu and Adam Ben Ezra in his club. The Villa Felber opens the Felber Loft and the portal „Eventlokale“ honors his villa as one of the most beautiful event-locations in switzerland. He plays on board with Lisa Doby
on a river trip on the „Rhein“ with the travel agency “Mittelthurgau“ and the duo also stands on stage at Porto Sofie summer-festival and at the „Jazz-Meile“ in Kreuzlingen. He appears on the Magazin „Best of Thurgau“ with an interview on two pages. On his last full-moon concert of the year, he played without any form of electricity and only candle-light, due to the rising prices. For the 7th time, he is chosen to be in the 100 Thurgau in Who is Who….

2021
Dani reaches 22,000 followers on Instagram. He accompanies with his 10-member band Johnny Logan (3-times Eurovison Song Contest Winner) and he`s on stage with Phillip Fankhauser, and Naturally 7. He gives many concerts with the singer Lisa Doby in croatia and switzerland only in a duo. The Playbacks are all pruduced of him self. All of his 10 Christmas Concerts in Villa Felber, with his smalband and singers Martin Lechner und Lisa Doby, are sold out. His full moon concerts at his home with various guest soloists are also becoming increasingly popular..

He continues to entertain his members and fans digitally with video greetings, interviews with for example Julia Roberts, or as an actor alongside James Bond and many other creative, entertaining contributions. He deals with the topic „The healing power of music“ and produced a new meditation CD with Vadim Tschenze. About 150 concerts are missing from his agenda this year because of the pandemic…

2020
The new program «Soul Train» was supposed to be performed at the Langenthal Jazz Festival. But the global corona pandemic also hit Dani Felber very badly. Over 140 concerts, including in the USA – a concert week in Atlanta with his quartet or the 20-day big band tour through Germany, have been cancelled. Dani Felber is also shooting a solo video «Beautiful Dance without dancers» in the middle of Lake Constance, which draws attention to the artists Covid situation. He entertains his members and fans very creatively with regular video greetings. He only does the traditional Christmas concerts in his villa as a trio. Dani Felber produces high quality half playbacks and gives concerts with the two singers Lisa Doby and Myra Maud. 11 sold out concerts with a protection concept take place in December. He also makes sound recording with the 2 singers.

2019
Dani Felber accompanies Roberto Blanco with his Big Band at the Red Fox Festival in Berlin and at the Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz. The Swiss Tagesschau reports in «10before10». As a soloist, Felber is invited to concerts at major festivals in Italy, Germany and Switzerland by US star bassist Nik West.

He will play a concert in Zurich with the legendary US singer Barbara Morrison. For a planned appearance in Time Square in New York, he flies to America for an interview and a promotional video shoot. A new homepage with the new look (bald head) and suits from Liluca will be created. In his club he is on stage with Candy Dulfer. At the big «Fete des Vignerons», which only takes place every 25 years, he gives concerts with his band and accompanies the Brazilian singer Be Ignacio at several concerts in Switzerland. His VILLA FELBER has been named the fourth most beautiful location in Switzerland by Eventlokal for the second time already. He has over 10,000 followers on Instagram…

2018
On Switzerland`s national day, Dani Felber is invited to a concert with his band in the General Consulate of Switzerland in Frankfurt. As a soloist, he played the first time on the largest sailing boat from the fashion producer Marc Cain which was launched on Lake Constance. With his big band he gives concerts in his VILLA FELBER al 10 sold out Christmas Concerts. The band includes US bassist Richie Goods (Alicia Keys) and US drummer Lil John Roberts (Janet Jackson). In his club he is on stage with James Morrison, Rose Ann Diamalanta (Prince), Nicki Parrot, Gunhild Carling and Thomas Gansch. Accordionist Marcel Loeffler invited him to «Le Printemps des Bretelles» festival in Strasbourg as a soloist. His VILLA FELBER is named the fourth most beautiful event location in Switzerland by the Eventlokal.

2017
Dani Felber developed his own trumpet model with the HAAG Company in Weinfelden. For the promotion of this Swiss Made instrument, Felber is dropped on the narrow ridge of the Matterhorn summit (4478m) in a suit, by a helicopter spectacularly on a winch to play a trumpet solo.

With the pianist Jura Waida he plays further benefit concerts for Johann Daelher in Africa on the Ivory Coast. He is recording a swinging Christmas album with his big band. In the USA he celebrates a great success with his big band explosion. He raised an incredible 2.8 million US dollars at the Wegmans Hillside Donation Gala in Rochester.

The Donatsch winery takes Felber as a godfather for Unique 2015. Felber is twice on stage with Albert Hammond (360 million records sold) and is producing a joint demo video in his club. Felber is nominated for the Swiss Prix Walo in the category Big Band and plays a concert with Bill Ramsey at the Jazzmeile in Kreuzlingen. In Bethlehem (Jordan) Dani Felber plays the ZDF Christmas Gala with the children from the Brass of Peace project, wich is moderated by Markus Lanz and sings among others by Peter Maffay.

2016
The self-published CD «A Portrait of Dani» is sold over 65,000 times in Switzerland. In his property on Lake Constance, the VILLA FELBER, his Jazz Cellar is opened with a large number of national and international celerities. Big names like: Candy Dulfer, Till Brönner, Thomas Quasthoff, Be Ignacio, Richard Galliano and more. The concerts are for the exclusive Felber Member Club, which is limited to 99 members. Dani Felber is invited by Swiss Radio SRF2 for a one-hour broadcast in honor of Pepe Lienhards 70th birthday. This was broadcast twice. He arranges a one-hour Brazilian show for his big band, wich is performed twice in Baden Baden Germany, with the singer Be Ignacio. DJ Antoine hires Dani Felber with his trumpet to plya 2 songs on his CD « Provocateur ». Dani is elected by the magazin Leader in the Who`s who of Eastern Switzerland – 150 personalities from St.
Gallen, Thurgau and the two parts of Appenzell.

2015
New CD « A Portrait of Dani» with 21 original compositions, recorded by his various formations. With his quartet, Dani Felber provides the musical framework during the boat trips on the Rhine and Danube. Dani Felber is touring Switzerland for the third time with his big band explosion – highlight is the analouge recording «Live at Langenthal». Together with Johann Daehler, Dani Felber organizes an ambulance for the Ivory Coast, which was financed with ist own benefit concerts. Dani Felber moves with his family to Ermatingen on Lake Constance, where he can develop artistically and commercially. For the third time now, Dani Felber has been voted one oft he 100 most important Thurgauers «Who is who». He and his quartet will play two concerts at Hampton Court Palace in London for Prince Michael of Kent.

2014
Dani Felber is playing again as a soloist in the Yamaha All Star Trumpet Band, among others in Salzburg at the «Woodstock Festival der Blasmusik» in Front of 20,000 spectators. In the summer Felber travels to Tiassale on the Ivory Coast with his wife Claudia to play 5 benefit concerts to expand a hospital. The people in Africa occupy and fascinate him, he also plays 3 benefit concerts in Switzerland for the benefit of the project by Ruedi Leuppi an Johann Daehler. The second successful tor with the Dani Felber Big Band Explosion takes place in October, 10 concerts from Unterfahrt jazz club in Munich to the Jazz Days in Langenthal, where the concert is recorded live on tape. At the turn of the year, the Dani Felber Big Band is invited to BMW-World in Munich.

2013
For the 50th anniversary of the legendary Dracula Club in St. Moritz, Dani Felber is invited by Christian J. Jenny and Rolf Sachs with his Band and plays until early hours in the morning. With his newly founded Big Band Explosion he makes his first successful tour through Switzerland. In July 2013 he visits the composer and arranger Sammy Nestico in San Diego to learn from the master himself and to discuss joint projects. In Hollywood he meets sound engineer Tommy Vicari (Prince) at the legendary Capitol Studios, LA, to discuss the next recordings.

„One of the sincerest pleasure I`ve had in over 60 years in the music profession was to listen to the music played by the Dani Felber Big Band Explosion. Dani is the Heart and Soul of the Orchestra and has a consuming interest in quality. He stands as a constant reminder of what this art form can and should reflect. A spirit and enthusiasm that is inspirational. » Sammy Nestico
«Over the years, I have the privileged to mix some of the world`s preeminenet big bands! Quincy Jones, Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwind and Chri Walden. Now I Can add Dani Felber to this elite list. Keeping the big band tradition alive and swinging.» Tommy Vicari

2012
In April Dani Felber is awarded the „Rotary Culture Prize“ and he has the cover story for the European wind magazin „Eurowind“. With his 30-piece orchestra he plays the opening evening at the „Takto Festival“ in Solothurn. In Frankfurt he is invited as a soloist at the Swiss General Consule in his residence, or as the main act at the Big Band Festival in Dietikon with guest soloist Bill Ramsey and Brad Leali. In cooperation with the Swiss Radio DRS2 and the label „Musique Suisse“ he is producing a new big band CD in honor of Frank Foster. There are top musician from the USA such as Butch Miles, Eric Marienthal, Andrea Tofanelli and Carmen Bradford. He is playing a first concert with his newly founded big band «Dani Felber Big Band Explosion» in the Hotel Waldaus in Sils. The CD
«Thank you Fos» is recorded in Winterthur and mixed in Hollywood by the well-know
«great» Tommy Vicari in Los Angeles, another milestone for Felber.

He and his orchestra are booked for 11 concerts across Switzerland for the 150th anniversary of the bank „UBS“ and he will write all the arrangements as well. His own Book „Swing, Blues and Jazz“ is ready. Dani Felber is now also represented on Facebook with a fan page. For the second time Felber is invited to the program « Jazz Collection » by the Swiss Radio DRS2, the subject is the trumpeter Warren Vache.

The saddest moment of the year is when Dani plays the trumpet of his late friend Hazy Osterwald in the Hofkirche in Lucerne for the last time. With the Osterwald composition „Its time to say goodbye“. A very moving moment.

2011
For the 10th anniversary of the big band, Dani Felber founded another orchestra, big band and strings with 25 top musicians from 12 nations. With this formation he produces the studio album «Thats my Life». His own compositions and well-known pop songs arranged by him become a musical highlight. Celebrities like James Last, Paul Kuhn, Till Brönner, Kurt Felix support the large and very expensive project with their names.

Dani Felber is invited as a talk guest to the radio studio DRS2 for the program Jazz Collection, an hour-long program about the trumpeter Harry James. The Zurich Festival engaged with Dani Felber for a swing concert in the large station hall. For several years Dani has played as a soloist with Beat Antenen in various productions such as «Top of Switzerland» or «Arena Ostschweiz» in Switzerland and Germany. For the second time Dani Felber Big Band is playing at the renowed Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz. Highlight the jam session with the Manhattan Transfers in the Miles Davis Lounge. Dani can prove his skills as a trumpeter. An unforgettable night.

2010
Dani Felber wins the Swiss Jazz Award, which is presented to him and his Big Band at the Ascona Jazz Festival. His music runs daily on the Swiss Jazz Radio and has received a broad, positive response. He is invited to Germany as a trumpet soloist. Under the name «Yamaha Trumpet Summit» he is on stage together with various greats such as Till Brönner, Rüdiger Baldauf, Andrea Tofanelli, Frank Brodahl, Hanspeter Salentin. The Concert is a great success.

He appears with his big band on TV show « Always on Sunday» on SWR. He is invited to Berlin for a big band workshop «German Youth Makes Music». A special goosebumps highlight is the Schwing und Älplerfest in Frauenfeld, which is broadcast live on Swiss television. Dani writes the opening fanfare and an arrangement with Swiss songs in swing style and performs this live with his big band at the ceremony in the stadium infront of 50,000 people.

2009
Dani is very much influenced by his collaboration with Frank Foster. The friendship with this great musician is another milestone in Danis career. The result is the swing CD «more than just friends», through which jazz and swing fans also become aware of the Dani Felber Big Band. In the sold-out KKL in Lucerne, he plays with his big band at the World Band Festival. Another book goes on sale in America «The Bible of Big Band» by Richard Grudens. It contains a large report about Dani Felber and his Big Band.

2008
Dani Felbers compositions are published and sold in Germany. This is followed by other artist accompaniments with his Big Band such as Roberto Blanco and Maya Brunner at the farewell party of «Radio Beromünster». The Dani Felber Big Band will kick off the 1st Big Band Festival in Dietikon. For the youth competition on this occasion, Dani Felber is appointmend to the Jury as chairman.

2007
The CD „sweet breeze“ plays on over 50 US radio stations. Dani is also considered a brilliant soloist and he receives an invitation to France to play at the famous jazz club « New Morning » in Paris. He performs with the singer Lisa Doby and other soloists. In Germany he continues to successfully accompany the well-known German rock star Inga Rumpf from Hamburg with his Big Band.

2006
With the composition Bundespresseballwalzer 2005, Dani proves that he is a talented composer and arranger. Now he is producing his dance CD „sweet breeze“ in the studio, composed by Felber himself. In Germany the media writes „Dani Felber, considered the great band leader of the generation, to be compared with James Last, Max Greger and Paul Kuhn“.

2005
A Swiss name, Dani Felber, makes the German government dance. The Bundespresseball in Berlin, which is considered the No.1 social event in Germany, also hires the charismatic bandleader for the commissioned composition „Bundespresseball Walzer“. Now Dani is a spught-after man in Germany. This is followed by a 2-week tour of Germany with his orchestra. The Trend Opening Tour by Wella Company.

Dani Felber plays at the Federal Press Ball in Berlin 7 times in a row with his band.

2004
For the 100th birthday of Glenn Miller the book „Chattanooga Choo Choo“ by Richard Grudens is published in America. There is also a big report about the young Swiss Big Band Leader Dani Felber an his Big Band. Al Porcino, the lead trumpeter of Frank Sinatra, That Jones, Count Basie and many others, brings Dani Felber as a guest soloist for an exciting concert in the famous „Unterfahrt“ jazz club in Munich.

2003
The Glenn Miller Band hires Dani as a trumpeter for a few gigs. Dani gets to know Hazy Osterwald, one of his great role models. A great friendship develops between the two musicians with an age difference of 50 years. Dani plays a few concert series with the big band as well as with his quartet and invites Hazy as a guest soloist with the vibraphone.
Unfortunately, his health does not allow him to perform much longer. Hazy will play the very last concert with Dani and his quartet on August 12, 2005 in the Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina. It is a special and touching moment for the young musician to musically accompany the great musician at his last concert.

2002
He plays the first big engagements with his own big band under his name. For example the „Tissot Swiss Inter Cup“ an international world rangelist dance tournament, which is broadcast for one hour on SF DRS. Dani writes the arrangements himself. Other galas will follow, such as the New Years Eve gala in the five-star Hotel Suvretta House in St. Moritz. At EXPO 02 in Fribourg, Dani represents the two cantons of Appenzell and Fribourg and is conducting a large big band project.

2001
For the final concert at the jazz school in Bern, Dani founded his own professional big band under his name and produced the first studio CD «Music was my first love». Not only jazz tracks can be heard on this CD, it rather shows the diversity of the young band leader, which also opens up the market for him in the gala business.

2000
During his studies he always had the opportunity to work as a trumpeter in big bands, for example at the Generation Festival. Under the direction of Peter Herbolzheimer, Dani play with Dusko Goykovich, Adrian Mears, Roman Schwaller, Don Friedman, Mario Gonzi and others in the band. Also with his quartet with guest soloists such Roman Schwaller or Bobby Shew. With the Swiss Jazz School Big Band he wins the Chrysler Jazz Award in Montreux.

1999
With the Amateur Big Band 14U he records the CD „one for you“ and gives concerts with the director of the Swiss Jazz School George Robert.

1998
The USA tour with the Swiss Jazz School Big Band and Clark Terry will also be a major, formative milestone in Danis musical developement. Highlights are the concerts in Birdland, New York, Blues Alley, Washington and the Award of the International Association of Jazz Educators, which is presented at the IAJE in New York. Dani is gaining his first experience as the band leader of the amateur big band „one for you“.

1997
The small „Prix Walo“ is presented to him and his band „Jazz Dependence“ in the jazz category. As a member oft he well-known Swiss Jazz School Big Band, Dani will gain experience at jazz festivals in Montreux, Cully, Bergamo and New York over the next few years. The collaboration with countless stars of the international jazz scene (Bob Mintzer, John Lewis, Johnny Griffin, Jimmy Heath, Phil Woods, Franco Ambrosetti, NY Voices and many others) shaped his further musical career.

1996
During his studies he founded the band „Jazz Dependence“ with fellow students. He plays with this sextet in various hotels and clubs.

1995
After completing his apprenticeship, Dani Felber begins his studies at the University of Music in Bern, Jazz department, where he graduated in 2001.

1993
Dani Felber earned his first real money as a musician as a trumpeter in the dance and entertainment band „TOSANOS“ in which he played for 2 years.

1989
He starts a 4-year apprenticeship as a structural architect because his parents are not yet able to support the desire to become a professional musician. During this time he learns how to plan and build a project from the ground up, which he can later use for his big band and orchestra work.

1988
He gained orchestral brass experience in the National Youth Brass Band.

1987
This is followed by the first big band experience as a member of the big band „One for You“.

1986
At the age of 14 Dani founded his first band, «Hot Flippers». A school band that often plays on village and school events.

1985
His parents enable him to take classical trumpet lessons with Eisuke Yamamoto. A defining moment for his career is the movie «The Glenn Miller Story». After this movie it is clear to Dani: I will become a band leader!

1984
On the England tour with the Liberty Brass Band Dani sniffed international „artist air“ for the first time, especially during a piece where he was allowed to stand in front of the band as a soloist. This experience will shape his future.

1980
A familiy friend gives Dani a cornet, which nobody knew back then: this gift is the beginning of a great musical career! Driven by success in playing the flute, Dani begins to practice daily and he gets pushed by his mother (brass music conductor). She enables Dani to perform infront of an audience in the various brass music associations that she has conducted.

1979
At the age of 7, Dani Felber won the „Je Ka Mi“ competition in the „Bodansaal“ in Romanshorn. The first press comment appears in „Das gelbe Heft“: Little Daniel was the greatest!

1978
At the age of 6, Dani started playing the flute.

1972
Dani Felber sees light for the first time on February 10th in Münsterlingen TG, Switzerland.