About

Cinzia Catania

Cinzia Catania is a Swiss jazz vocalist, composer, and educator, celebrated for her vibrant performances and innovative compositions. Growing up in an artistic family, she discovered her passion for jazz early and studied under renowned mentors like Dena DeRose and Ed Partyka, earning degrees in jazz and composition.

With over 1,000 concerts across Europe, Asia, and America, Cinzia has performed at prestigious festivals like Da Jazz St. Moritz and Blue Balls Lucerne, and with top ensembles such as the Swiss Jazz Orchestra. She has released three acclaimed albums, blending technical skill with emotional depth.

In 2017, she won the Jazz Comp Graz competition, and in 2024, she was selected to compose for the Subway Jazz Orchestra in Cologne. Cinzia continues to push the boundaries of jazz, making her a prominent figure in the international jazz scene.

Biography

Singer and composer, Cinzia Catania, half Swiss – half Sicilian, grew up in Switzerland in a very artistic environment.  She started her musical education playing the classical flute at a young age but always loved to sing whenever she had the opportunity.

After participating in the project «Jazzaar», Cinzia discovered her love of Jazz and began taking vocal lessons while she continued to play her flute. She found herself singing and playing in a Jazz orchestra, various ensembles, projects and eventually formed her own band, which performed around Switzerland.

After receiving her matura diploma with an emphasis in the arts, the dream of becoming a professional singer had intensified; she then decided to move to the Netherlands where she studied Jazz voice for one year with many inspiring educators such as Mark GrossAlex SipiaginDon Braden and Dena De Rose just to mention a few. Cinzia then followed her teacher and mentor, the American jazz vocalist and pianist Dena De Rose, to Austria where she continued her studies in the Jazz institute at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Graz. Among other teachers, she studied with Mary Frances Lubahn, Annette Giesriegl, Ed PartykaEd Neumeister and Stjepko Gut. After receiving her Bachelor diploma (summa cum laude), she moved back to Switzerland to earn her Masters Degree in Music Pedagogy at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, which she completed 2016. She then earned a second Masters Degree in  Composition (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts) in 2018.

The many styles that Jazz embodies fascinate her and she not only incorporates that into her song writing, but is also active in many different projects exploring music in all its facets.

Her sound is crystalline, yet warm and smooth; she is feathery and rhythmical in her Bossa Nova and strong and passionate when singing in Sicilian.

She has been performing all around Europe and also USA and Lebanon.

Albums: 

Come To Light (2016, Unit Records)

Anatomy Of Melancholy (2018, QFTF)

Swim It Away (2023)

Competitions:

Winner of the Jazz Comp Graz 2017 

Generations Frauenfeld 2028

European Jazz Composers Köln 2024

PROJECTS

Cinzia Catania Collective

“Cinzia Catania’s voice is unique—crystal clear yet warm and smooth. Her music captivates; it’s impossible not to listen. She boldly draws from various genres, paired with catchy lyrics and the right attitude. Her songs stick with you. Of course, everyone in jazz is combining styles, but not with this voice, this drive, confidence, sound, and such a band! Cinzia clearly indicates where she wants to position herself and her music. With a lot of courage to take risks, this young singer is making her mark, doing many things differently and simply better than many of her peers.” (Label QFTF)

The music of Swiss singer and composer Cinzia Catania is distinctive and recognizable. Together with her band, which she founded in early 2015, she works to create a connection between jazz and modern musical languages. The four musicians met at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, where they all completed part of their studies. They explore the possibilities of modern jazz, incorporating various musical styles into their compositions. As a result, the music is colorful, spicy, cross-genre, and contemporary. Elements from jazz, pop, and Sicilian folk music are used, with improvisation playing a central role along with the use of loops. Odd time signatures dance around catchy and touching melodies, creating an exciting and unmistakable blend where different musical elements come together to form a new language.

The great American composer and arranger Maria Schneider praised Cinzia Catania exuberantly: “You have found your own language with your compositions and your own voice with your singing.”

“The 30-year-old Swiss composer and singer demonstrates remarkable individuality, as evidenced by her new album ‘Anatomy Of Melancholy.'”

“From Queen to Royalty: Swiss jazz musician Cinzia Catania (30) is taking off.”

Lineup
Cinzia Catania (Vocals)
Lukas V. Gernet (Piano, Rhodes)
Rafael Jerjen (Double Bass)
Sämi Büttiker (Drums)

“Internationally, the 30-year-old Cinzia Catania, who lives in Zurich, drew attention to herself a year ago when she won first prize and the audience award at the ‘Jazz Comp Graz’ composition competition. The praise from Maria Schneider carries equal weight, as the multiple Grammy-winning Maria Schneider has been a standard of excellence in her field for years. She is the queen of large orchestral music, and her endorsement elevates the Swiss jazz musician.” (AZ Dec 2018)

Lineup
Cinzia Catania (Vocals, Composition)
BKJO

 

Electronic project with Nici Struchen

Style: Elements of Deep House, Techno, and Electropop

Lineup
Cinzia Catania (Vocals & Keys)
Nici Struchen (Drums & FX)
Claudio Berger (Bass & FX)

The duo, consisting of Montenegrin guitarist Pippo Corvino and Swiss singer and composer Cinzia Catania, met in 2010 at the University of Arts in Graz, where both completed their bachelor’s degree at the Jazz Institute.

In the first weeks of their studies, they began playing together and quickly realized they shared the same musical language. The desire for collaboration soon followed, leading to many rehearsals, musical experiments, and concerts.

The duo has performed their compositions and arrangements at the most significant festivals and jazz clubs in Graz and the surrounding area.

Their first album, Come To Light, was released under the Unit Records label in January 2016.

Their music is distinctive and innovative, working on a fusion of jazz and modern musical languages. They incorporate elements from jazz, pop, Balkan folk music, and electronic music. The use of loops weaves throughout the album, while odd time signatures dance around catchy and touching melodies. This creates an exciting and unique blend where different cultures merge.

Lineup Cinzia Catania (Vocals, Composition)
Pippo Corvino (Guitar, Composition)

Discography Come To Light (Unit Records, 2016)

 

In the duo Cinzia Catania & Daniel Messina, Cinzia Catania expresses another passion of hers: Brazilian music. She sings it with a light, warm, velvety tone and incredible rhythmic precision.

Lineup
Cinzia Catania (Vocals)
Daniel Messina (Guitar, Vocals)
Alberto Garcia Navarro (Percussion)

 

Lineup
Cinzia Catania (Vocals)
Toni Amadeus Bechtold (Tenor Sax)
Nidal Abou Samra (Tenor Sax)
Ziad El Ahmadieh (Oud)
David Heizmann (Guitar)
Mario Ineichen (Bass)
Florian Hoesl (Drums)


http://druckmittel.org/

The repertoire of Manziluna, the four-member band from Sicily, consists of original compositions influenced by Sicilian music, which also incorporates many Arabic elements.

This traditional folk music is blended with jazz, classical music, rock, and electronic elements. The lyrics are in Sicilian or English, but in most pieces, the voice is used instrumentally.

Cinzia Catania accompanied the band during the years 2013 and 2014.

Lineup
Fabrizio Brusca (Guitar)
Cinzia Catania (Vocals)
Calogero Genco (Alto and Soprano Saxophone)
Carmelo Graceffa (Drums)
Leonardo Grimaudo (Guitar)

Discography
L’intrigo (Cantina Records, 2014)

Cinzia Catania

With different possible formations.

The songs tell stories from life; beautiful furniture, anger attacks, bacon, witches or weird superiors… and to do that the band help themselves pretty unabashedly with whatever style it needs. 
The name “DRUCKMITTEL” (Pressure-Device) is a leftover from a time when the bandleader Florian Hoesl thought it would help the commercial success to copy the Jazz-Punk scene from Berlin around 2010. Here bands had to be called “Johnny La Marama”, “Der Rote Bereich” or “Erdmann 3000”. 

Times change, bands change and copying has helped only to duplicate so far. What was, is and will be, are strong melodies, extended solos and the sound, which became more and more important throughout the years: full and open with extreme dynamics. This band plays at the limits and will explode in the right moments. Virtuosity is an attribute, not a necessity. 

The sometimes rather direct, vivid and sarcastic announcements will give the audience pictorial and partly dubious manuals of how to take the music: with humor and impartiality. 

Due to Hoesl’s musical idols from his early youth like Queen or Frank Zappa it is no surprise that at some point vocals would be part of the band. The singer Cinza Catania has not the typical role of the front woman though, but is often used as an instrument and therefore has accompanying function as well. 

Also the guitar player’s mostly self-made effects add to the characteristic sound of the band. With long-time member Toni Bechtold on the saxophone, David Heizmann on guitar, Mario Ineichen on bass and Cinzia Catania, Hoesl has once again gathered a group that is “willing  to join the circus”.

Spielt mit ansteckender Leidenschaft, grosser Virtuosität und viel Gefühl Welt-Musik, die einlädt zum Zuhören, Tanzen und Geniessen. 

Die Musiker:Innen begeistern mit berührendem Gesang, interessanten Arrangements, virtuosen Solos und mitreissenden Rhythmen das Publikum.

Azul empfiehlt sich für ihren privaten Anlass, Konzerte auf Kleinbühnen und Openairs.

Live

23

May 2025

Lange Nacht der Kirchen, Erlinsbach

May 23: Lange Nacht der Kirchen, Erlinsbach

May 27: Widder Bar Zürich

May 29: Gewerbehalle Luzern

 

Tour in Lebanon Lucerne Beirut Connection:

June 24: Yardbird – Ghazir, Jounieh

June 25: Salon Beyrouth, Beirut

June 26: Rumman “Stereo Kawalis”, Tripoli

June 27: Iris Domain, Bhamdoun

June 28: Faris & Lucia Guest House, Byblos

Tour Lucerne Beirut Connection:

Gewerbehalle Luzern Jam Opener

Widder Bar, Zürich

Kirche Erlinsbach

Sudhaus, Basel

Alhambra, Genf

Reformierte Kirche, Sursee

Bar 59, Luzern

Mad Cat, Aarau

2025

Madeleine Luzern

Widder Bar, Zürich

Album Release Tour (CH)  Lucerne Beirut Connection

Ausblick 2024

Vela Basel

Butcher Street Pub Aarau

Niente Jazz Zug

Hotel Restaurant

Hammer Eigenthal (Silvester)

August and September 2024

Tour im Libanon, mit Lucerne Beirut Connection

Wagnermuseum Luzern mit Druckmittel

Musig i de Altstadt Aarau, mit Blaufinger

First Friday Biel, Place du Bourg

UnvermeidBAR Baden

Waxy Bar (Zukunft) Zürich

KiFF Aarau

Roxy (Klang Kosmos) Winterthur

June and July 2024

KiFF Aarau, Album Release mit Blaufinger

Bio-Marché Zofingen, mit Azul

Hidén Harlekin Zug mit Lukas Gernet

Switzerland

Festival Da Jazz St. Moritz

Langnau Jazz Nights (BKJO)

Moods Zurich (BKJO)

Moods Zurich with the Zurich Jazz Orchestra

Künstlerhaus Boswil

Alpentöne Festival Altdorf (with Peter Schärli)

Casino Frauenfeld Generations 2018

Bierhübeli Bern with the Swiss Jazz Orchestra

KiFF Aarau Saal

KiFF Aarau Season Opening Jazzclub Aarau

Jazzclub Aarau Alte Reithalle

Jazzclub Sarnen

Jazz Nights Zug

Jazz in Baden

Musig i de Altstadt Aarau

Alte Reithalle Aarau

Theater Tuchlaube Aarau

Isebähnli Baden

Wagnermuseum Lucerne

Lez Faux Nez Lausanne

Chrutwäje Aarau

Musik Haag Weinfelden BKJO

Barfussbar Zurich

Schwanbar Aarau

PianoIn Bar Aarau

Odeon Brugg

Festival Guggisberg (Azul)

Artune Art Gallery Frick

Rapperswil Art Gallery

Bühne Fasson Lachen

Hotel Hauser St. Moritz

Musikcontainer Uster UNESCO Jazz-Day, DKSJ Project

Mehrspur Zurich, DKSJ Project

Chorus Lausanne, DKSJ Project

Schloss Köniz Bern, DKSJ Project

Bird’s Eye Basel, DKSJ

Blue Balls Festival, Seebühne

Esse Musicbar Winterthur

Commihalle Zurich

Mahogany Hall Bern

Neubad Lucerne – New Music Days

Schloss Lenzburg “Ganz Ohr” Ladies First, Interview

Ref. Church Wallisellen

Liechtensteiniade, Poolbar-Festival Feldkirch

Theatertage Lenzburg

“Musig ide Altstadt” Aarau

Barfussbar Zurich

Casino Bad Ragaz

Seedammplaza Pfäffikon

Schür Lucerne as part of IMS 2019

Eichhof Lucerne

Sound & Sandwich Bern

Bio-Marché Zofingen

Kornhaus Aarwangen

Moudi-Bar Zurich

Stadtfest Brugg

Mittagsmusik at Gleis 1 Brugg

Baronessa Lenzburg

Leopold Lenzburg

Krone Aarau

Waldmeier Aarau

El Barrio Lucerne

Milchhüsli Cafe Basel

Jazzkantine Lucerne

Hotel Europe Lucerne

Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne

Metzgerhalle Lucerne

Jenseits im Viadukt Zurich

ONO Bern

Bärechäller Aarburg

Restaurant Bären Birrwil

Bärenmatte Suhr, conductor IBA Choir

Isegass Bar Lenzburg

KUK Aarau, with Jazzaar

Art&Cigar Aarau & Lenzburg

Pandabar Basel

Nientebar Zug

Gewürzmühle Zug (Niente Jazz)

Variobar Olten

Hotel Nomad Basel

Dorfgaden Altendorf SZ

Gaskessel Bern

Weinhof Lucerne

Biberburg Hirschthal

Inmusic Pianolounge Aarau

Takatuka Däniken

Kunstevent Maurer AG Buchs

Kinobar Leuzinger Rapperswil-Jona

Lorzensaal Cham ZG

Alte Fabrik Rapperswil

Jazzmusik in Sarnen (Elliott’s Cafe Bar Lungern)

Melody Festival Aarau

Bar im Stall Aarau

Mutterschiff Openair

Sender Zurich

Burghalde Lenzburg

Maxim Theater Zurich

Lichterfest Lenzburg

ArtCigar Seon

FHNW Brugg/Windisch

3G A7, Rombach

Kleine Freiheit Zurich

Buvette Lucerne

Hotel Hauser St. Moritz

Sächsi Stubenkonzerte Aarau

Soundfarm Studios Kriens

Jazzclub Oberengstringen

Flössi Aarau

Hüttentanz miniFestival

Liz&Chrege Aarau

Reformed Church Community House Baden

Landi Vinelz

Gleis 21 Dietikon ZH

Reformed Church Engelberg

Hotel Hammer Eigental

Bettstattbar Lucerne

Mauz Music-Club Einsiedeln

Kongresshaus Zurich

Muhen Multipurpose Hall

Zulauf Schinznach Dorf

Zumikon Community Hall Klassik Nuevo Festival Zürichsee

Zoo Basel

Bank Leerau Schöftland

Sousol Lucerne

AHA Aarau

Gewerbehalle Lucerne

Church Community Küsnacht

Bar 58 Lucerne

Hidén Harlekin Zug

Kreuz Aarau

Restaurant Vela Basel

Alte Reithalle Aarau with the Big Band Aarau

Spain

Gran Canaria, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium Las Palmas, with the Perinké Big Band

Lebanon

Salon Beyrouth, Beirut

Metro al Madina, Beirut

Sharqy foundation, Saida

Onomatopeia, Beirut

Now, Beirut

The Woodfactory, Baabdat

Faris & Lucia Guest House, Byblos

Artist House, Hammana

Iris Domain, Bhamdoun

Austria

Sargfabrik Vienna

Stockwerk Jazz Club Graz

Royal Garden Jazz Club Graz

Altes Kino Landeck (Tyrol)

Café Traxlmayr Linz

Kultur am Land Bach Tyrol

Wist Café Moxx Graz

KUG Redoute

Orpheum Extra Graz

Jazzwerkstatt 2012

Generalihof 2013

Graz Jazz Night 2014

Theatercafé Graz

Wist Graz, with Julia Maier’s New Shore Orchestra

Italy

Festival of Contemporary Music 2014, Palermo IT

Semi-Final European Jazz Contest Rome 2012, Cinzia Catania 5tet

Romania

Seven Black Spots Tour in Bucharest, Cinzia Catania Band (Clubul Taranului etc.)

Netherlands

Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour Groningen 2014, with Manziluna

Noorderzon, with Manziluna

Atelier Il Sole in Cantina, Cinzia Catania Band

Café Peter Pan, Cinzia Catania Band

Germany

HR-BigBand Frankfurt, Jazzfest of the HfMDK, Grand Hall Frankfurt

Philipps-University Marburg, HR-Big Band feat. Joseph Bowie

Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, HR-Big Band feat. Joseph Bowie

Schlosskeller Emmendingen BKJO

Club Subway Cologne (Germany) with the Subway Jazz Orchestra

Slovenia

Prulcek Ljubljana

Videos

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