Biography

Thomas Moeckel

Guitarist, trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer and arranger

Tony Scott , Glenn Ferris, Benny Golson, Oscar Klein, Charly Antolini, Alain Jeanmarie, Jacky Terrasson, Sangoma Everett, Dany Doriz, Duffy Jackson, Georges Arvanitas, Eddie Jones, Oliver Jackson, Mighty Flea Connors, Reggie Johnson, Eugen Cicero, Franco Ambrosetti, Shirley Bassey, Kirk Lightsey, Jan Harrington, Othella Dallas, Jean "Toots" Thielemans, Herbie Mann, Aladàr Pege, Don Friedman, Herb Geller, Alvin Queen a.o.

Ronnie Cuber, Adam Holzman, Ken Werner, Lincoln Goines, Steve Ferrone, Daniel Humair, Riccardo Del Fra, Tony Scott, Paulo Fresu, Flavio Boltro, Enrico Rava, Bill Holman, Jean "Toots" Thielemans, Sal Nistico a.o.

Winner of Chrysler Jazz Polls" 1999 and 2000

• Thomy Moeckel is to me the new european musician who has mastered his instruments guitar, flugelhorn and trumpet. He has mastered technically and musicianwise all the aspects of music. His open mind ans searching heart will also enable him to be not only a great european but true musician of many worlds of music that are avaible to today's young musician. Classical, Folk, Blues and most important of all, Jazz which is the american black musician's heritage, I can Charlie Parker smile when Thomy plays in the true tradition of Jazz, the only true american artform.
  Tony Scott

• Some musicians of great talent who deserve international recognition come from countries not too supportive or conductive to the artist potential. Thomy Moeckel, from Switzerland is one of these musicians. He is not only one of the finest and most professional ones I know, but in addition of these qualities, he's got soul.
  Glenn Ferris (Lead-trombonist, DonEllis orchestra)

• When I first came to Europe and heart Thomy Moeckel, he impressed me as one of the finest Jazz artist that I had heard. Now five years later, after working with him many times, I respect him and admire him even more, not only as a guitar and flugelhorn solist, but also as a arranger and composer.
  Larry McGuire (lead-trumpeter, Clare Fischer orchestra)

• There are all the answers you were asking for!
  Jim Hall (introducing Thomas Moeckel after a duet-performance during a guitarworkshop)

• Dear Thomas,
  I want to apologize for having had your CDs here, but being so busy that I was unable to listen to them. While in Europe I received about 20 CDs from different people and so it's difficult to chose the order in which you listen to them.
  
  Now I have to say, "Reward! Surprise! and deep delight" Your album, "Seasons" is a wonderful listening experience. Not only are you interesting harmonically, but you have special ways with your melodicity of writing melodies to those harmonies. Ensemble sounds were orchestrationally very good. Individual players - outstanding! And you are unbelievable! Trumpet, guitar, vocal , writing - what a joy!
  
  Your trumpet improvising is thoughtful and is not a display mechanism for technique. The same thing is true of your guitar improvising. And I loved little orchestrational things like starting a tune with a mute and then on the repeat of the theme playing it open with a tenor sax. This album was such a pleasure to hear that I could not stop it. You have succeeded in doing something exceptional , and I congratulate you for that.
  
  Again, my apologies for having taken so much time to respond. Most of the albums given to me are by people saying, "Notice me, notice me." Most take up too much time in a person's life to listen, but above all I want you to understand that I NOTICED YOU!!!
  
  My best to you and I hope we run into each other again.
  Clare Fischer (pianist, arranger and composer)