Almost at the same time as the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, George Gruntz, the second Swiss jazz representative with a worldwide reputation, has passed away.
George Gruntz, who celebrated his 80th birthday on June 24, 2012, passed away this Thursday after a long illness, as his son confirmed to Swiss radio and television SRF.
Gruntz was one of Switzerland's most internationally acclaimed jazz musicians. In 1958, Gruntz performed at the legendary Newport Festival - with Louis Armstrong, among others. From 1971, he led his own big band, The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. Gruntz was also a composer and musical director at the Zurich Schauspielhaus from 1970 to 1984 and director of the Berlin JazzFest from 1972 to 1994.
