AVO SESSION Basel – a festival makes history
1986 – the Rheinknie Session is born
Basel, May 1986: The first Rheinknie Session was born. Five sold out concerts thrilled music fans from northwestern Switzerland with artists like Oscar Peterson, Albert Collins and Koko Taylor. The founders of this successful concert series were Enrico Bonometti, Matthias Müller and Stephan Werthmüller. The three music lovers from the region had already made a name for themselves by organizing jazz, blues and rock concerts.
1988 – breakthrough with international star Miles Davis
The national breakthrough came when jazz legend Miles Davis performed at the festival in 1988. Music lovers from all over Switzerland came to Basel and experts in the music scene discovered the festival. Claude Nobs, one of the founders of the Montreux Jazz Festival, was so enthusiastic about the festival that he immediately decided to become a patron.
1995 – the festival presents music styles from jazz to funk
The music festival, which had first focussed on blues, jazz and gospel, opened itself up to other music styles in 1995. With a new mix, including world music, soul and funk as well as internationally successful artists, the festival started to appeal more and to a younger audience and also gained in prestige.
1998 – the Rheinknie Session becomes AVO SESSION Basel
AVO Cigars became the new Presenting Sponsor of the music festival in 1998, which was then renamed AVO SESSION Basel. With a new name, the festival also had a new, more international focus. At the same time, the festival management began to combine first class performers with exclusive social events to create an incomparable music experience.
1999 – the first TV broadcasts on SF and 3sat
Swiss TV became the official media partner of the AVO SESSION Basel in1999 and when it started to record all of the concerts. The TV broadcasts on SF2 and 3sat established the Basel music festival’s media presence in other German-speaking countries.
2001 – a terrorist attack shocks the world
The attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001 shocked the world and had an effect on the attendance levels at the AVO SESSION Basel. In spite of the integration of pop music in the programme with international star Chris de Burgh the festival only reached 75% capacity.
2005 – 20 years of success as a music festival
After 20 years, the AVO SESSION Basel had established itself as a European festival. The festival won the International Sponsoring Award presented by FASPO in the culture category. Major headliners took the stage that year: Seal, Status Quo, Vaya Con Dios, Simply Red and a-ha.
2006 – Eurovision broadcasts Sir Elton John
The live broadcast of Elton John’s concert throughout Europe marked the international television breakthrough of the AVO SESSION Basel. Swiss TV records all of the concerts and many are broadcasted on all five continents. Swiss radio DRS also regularly broadcasts the concerts. In 2007, the first of a projected series of DVDs was released, featuring Solomon Burke’s performance in 2003. Soon after, another DVD was released featuring Jethro Tull.
2010 – the AVO SESSION Basel celebrates its jubilee
After 25 years, the AVO SESSION Basel is more successful than ever, repeatedly bringing the world’s biggest stars to Basel. Around 20,000 music lovers flock to Basel each year to enjoy the first class programme and the intimate club atmosphere. Thanks to the long-term commitment of our sponsors and a generous patronage committee, the future of the festival is secure. Nothing stands in the way of 25 more years full of magical music moments.
Dr. Reto Cina, CEO Oettinger Davidoff GroupBeatrice Stirnimann, CEO AVO SESSION Basel
