MoonMot emerged at the 10th edition of the Jazzwerkstatt Bern festival in 2017, when Dee Byrne and Cath Roberts of LUME were invited by Jazzwerkstatt artistic directors Marc Stucki and Benedikt Reising to perform as part of a CH/UK collaborative project. As artist-run platforms for improvised and original music, LUME and Jazzwerkstatt Bern share a lot of common ground, including a focus on the creation of new work and new ensembles. After the initial concert in Bern, LUME organised the return leg of the exchange: a slot supporting The Thing at London Jazz Festival 2017. In March 2019 under its new name MoonMot, the sextet reconvened for a six date Swiss tour including a performance at the BeJazz Transnational competition in Bern. While on tour they recorded their debut album, showcasing compositions from all six band members. In February and March 2020 the band tours the UK and Europe to support the release of ‘Going Down The Well’ on Swiss-based Unit Records.
Line-up:
Dee Byrne (alto saxophone/electronics)
Simon Petermann (trombone/electronics)
Cath Roberts (baritone saxophone)
Oli Kuster (Fender Rhodes/electronics)
Seth Bennett (double bass)
Johnny Hunter (drums)