Darius Moglia & Focusyear Band 25

The eighth edition of Focusyear, a year-long program for an international ensemble of nine students, regularly mentored by renowned masters of the international jazz band scene, brings together a truly international ensemble of remarkable musicians! Darius brings with him two Scandinavian guitarists, Swede Albin Ormegard and Dane Mads Oldenskov, who form an original rhythm section alongside Australian bassist Alistair Peel and Italian drummer Fabrizio Doberti. On wind instruments, French alto and soprano saxophonist Darius Moglia and Austrian trumpeter Lorenz Widauer bring lightness and texture to the ensemble.
Despite their young age, these musicians demonstrate remarkable maturity in their ability to improvise, collaborate, and interact. During their year at JazzCampus Basel, they benefit from the mentorship of an impressive roster of world-renowned artists, including Immanuel Wilkins, Kendrick Scott, Gilad Hekselman, Anders Jormin, Jorge Rossy, Linda May Han Oh, Guillermo Klein, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and more.
Each musician is a virtuoso in their own right, driven by undeniable passion, talent, and curiosity that allows them to embark on profound musical journeys together.
A rising figure on the French jazz scene, talented saxophonist Darius Moglia is also a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and electronic music producer. After classical training at the Conservatoire de Paris (CRR), he turned to jazz through a jam session with his father and brother. He graduated from the CNSMDP in jazz music at 17, where he had the opportunity to take masterclasses with masters such as Joe Sanders, Gerald Clayton, Melissa Aldana, and more. There, he learned arranging, including how to write for big bands with François Théberge. He participates in various musical projects, including large ensembles, contemporary music (Opéra-Comique in 2018 for Donnerstag aus Licht, Stockhausen), Brazilian music, pop, and jazz fusion. He is currently often seen at the club, with Etienne Mbappé and François Constantin, with whom he celebrated the 40th anniversary of Le Baiser Salé live on French jazz radio (TSF jazz) in January 2024.