Franco Ambrosetti
Contemporary Jazz


Main image

Swiss trumpeter and flugelhorn player, born December 10, 1941 in Lugano, Switzerland.
Son of Flavio Ambrosetti. Basic musical studies in Lugano, started his musical career in 1961, made his American debut 1967 as a member of his father's group, performing at Monterey Jazz Festival. In Europe he has appeared in radio and TV and has toured nearly all European countries. He also toured in the U.S. with the The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band; he plays regularly in clubs in New York City such as the Blue Note, and Sweet Basil. In 1966 Ambrosetti won first prize at the international jazz competition held in Vienna under the direction of Friedrich Gulda.
From 1963 to 1970 he played with his father's quintet (including George Gruntz and Daniel Humair). The group continues today, mainly as a quartet with Franco as bandleader.
In his longtime cooperation with George Gruntz, he has learned to compose in a creative way. He has composed scores for movies and TV movies, for example Die Reise, directed by Markus Inhof (1986)
Together with his father, pianist George Gruntz and drummer Daniel Humair, he formed a successful all-star big band The Band in 1972, now called the The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band with whom he performs regularly.

ALBUMS


Franco Ambrosetti
Nora
2022, SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Enja Records,
Franco Ambrosetti
Nora
2022
Franco Ambrosetti
The Nearness Of You
2018, CD, Album, Unit Records (2)
Franco Ambrosetti
Cheers
2017, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Post Bop
Franco Ambrosetti
After The Rain
2015, CD, Album, Enja Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Post Bop
Franco Ambrosetti / Andy Scherrer / Roman Schwaller / Hans Kennel / Thomas Grünwald / Daniel Bourquin
Swiss Radio Days Jazz Live Trio Concert Series Vol.39
2014, CD, Album, TCB Records (2)
Franco Ambrosetti
Cycladic Moods
2012, CD, Album, Enja Records,
Franco Ambrosetti, Sandro Schneebeli
Lugano Concert /Live a Estival
2012, 2xCD, Comp + DVD-V, Comp, RSI Radiotelevisione Svizzera,
Enrico Intra, Franco Ambrosetti
Live In Milan, Duo, Trio, Quartet
2009, CD, Album, Albore Jazz
Franco Ambrosetti + Uri Caine Trio
The Wind
2007, CD, Album, Enja Records
Alessandro Carabelli Group Feat. Franco Ambrosetti
Aphrodite
2006, CD, Album, Nagel Heyer Records
Franco Ambrosetti
Liquid Gardens
2006, CD, Album, Enja Records, Enja Records
Franco Ambrosetti & Emil Viklický Trio
14. dubna 2004 / Nová Galerie
2005, CD, Album, Multisonic, Multisonic, ,
Post Bop
Franco Ambrosetti
European Legacy
2003, CD, Album, Enja Records
Chico Freeman & Franco Ambrosetti Meet Reto Weber Percussion Orchestra
Face To Face (Jazzfest Berlin '99)
2000, CD, Double Moon Records
Franco Ambrosetti
Grazie Italia
2000, CD, Album, Enja Records
Franco Ambrosetti
Light Breeze
1998, CD, Album, Enja Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Salvatore Tranchini, Jerry Bergonzi, Franco Ambrosetti
Radio Suite
1998, CD, Album, Red Record
The George Gruntz Trio , Special Guest: Franco Ambrosetti
Mock-Lo-Motion
1995, CD, Album, TCB Records (2)
Franco Ambrosetti
Live At The Blue Note
1993, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Franco Ambrosetti
Gin And Pentatonic
1992
Jazz Class Orchestra Guest: Franco Ambrosetti Guest: Franco D'Andrea
Sound And Colours
1991, CD, Album, Ducale Jazz
Franco Ambrosetti
Music For Symphony And Jazz Band
1991, CD-ROM, Album, Enja Records,
Franco Ambrosetti
Music For Symphony And Jazz Band
1991,
George Gruntz / Franco Ambrosetti / Radio Bigband Leipzig
Living Transition
1988, LP, AMIGA,
Big Band/Contemporary Jazz
Alfredo Golino Special Guest Franco Ambrosetti
First Flight
1988, LP, Album, Gat, Dire (2)
Franco Ambrosetti, Eddie Daniels, Hugo Heredia, Ferdinand Povel, Leszek Zadlo, Sahib Shihab With The Jazz Live Trio*
Euro-American Fusions
1988, LP, Album, TCB Records (2)
Franco Ambrosetti
Movies Too
1988, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Soundtrack
Franco Ambrosetti
Movies
1987,
Franco Ambrosetti
Tentets
1985
Franco Ambrosetti, Michael Brecker, John Clark (2), Kenny Kirkland, Buster Williams, Daniel Humair
Wings
1984
Swiss Jazz Quintet Feat. Franco Ambrosetti
Imagination
1982, LP, Album, Jazz Publications
Franco Ambrosetti
Heart Bop
1981
Dado Moroni, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Franco Ambrosetti, Tullio De Piscopo
Bluesology
1981
Flavio* E Franco Ambrosetti
Flavio E Franco Ambrosetti
1981
Franco Ambrosetti & Don Sebesky
Franco Ambrosetti & Don Sebesky
1980
Franco Ambrosetti
Close Encounter
1979, LP, Enja Records
Franco Ambrosetti, George Gruntz, Daniel Humair, Ron Mathewson
Franco Ambrosetti Qt
1976, LP, PDU
Franco Ambrosetti
Jazz A Confronto 11
1974, LP, Album, Horo Records
Franco Ambrosetti
The Jazz Live Situation
1973
Franco Ambrosetti Featuring Giorgio Azzolini
A Jazz Portrait Of Franco Ambrosetti
1965
Franco Ambrosetti & Strings
Sweet Caress
2024, CD, Album, Enja Records
Franco Ambrosetti Quintet
Long Waves
2019, CD, Album, Unit Records (2)
Franco Ambrosetti & Michele Bozza Quintet
Locomotion
2007, CD, Album, Sound Hills Records
The Winners
The Winners Live At The Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich
2000, CD, TCB Records (2),
Ivo Antognini Jazz Project
Inspiration
1997, CD, Album, Gramon
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band
Blues 'N Dues Et Cetera
1991, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Big Band
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band
Live At The "Quartier Latin" Berlin
1981, 2xLP, Album, MPS Records, ,
Big Band
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band
GG-CJB
1979
Franco Ambrosetti Quartet
Steppenwolf
1975, LP, Album, PDU
The Band
The Alpine Power Plant
1972, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Big Band
Swiss All Stars
Swiss All Stars
1964
Civica Jazz Band
Italian Jazz Graffiti
2002, 2xCD, Soul Note,

APPEARANCES +


Mina
The Beatles Songbook
2022
Franco Ambrosetti Band*
Lost Within You
2021, CD, Album, Unit Records (2), ,
Contemporary Jazz/Post Bop
Mina
Cassiopea (Italian Songbook)
2020, CD Trifold Digipack, ,
Chanson/Vocal
Mina
Paradiso (Lucio Battisti Songbook)
2018, 2x CD, ,
Chanson
Jasper Van't Hof, Reto Weber
Featuring
2017, CD, Album, HGBS BLUE RECORDS
Bruno Spoerri
Langstrasse Zwischen 12 Und 12 (Long Street Between 12 & 12)
2016, ,
Soundtrack/Soul-Jazz/Experimental/Psychedelic
Mina
Caramella
2014, ,
Ballad/Vocal
Latin Colours Jazz Orchestra
Quando M'innamoro In Samba
2013, CD, Incipit,
Paolo Fresu
Cinquant'Anni Suonati - 3
2012, CD, Album, Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso S.p.A., ,
Fusion/Contemporary Jazz
Various
Time In Jazz - Della Musica E Dei Luoghi - Paolo Fresu , Berchidda E ...
2011, CD, Comp, Musica Jazz
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band*
Matterhorn Matters
2010, CD, Album, Musiques Suisses, Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund, DRS 2
Mina
Una Caramella E Una Piccola Strenna
2010, Box, Comp, Dlx + CD, Album, RE + CD, EP, PDU, Sony Music
Mina
Canzoni Intramontabili
2009, Box, Comp, RM + 35xCD, Album, Comp, RM, Sorrisi E Canzoni TV, EMI, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore Spa, Corriere Della Sera, PDU, ,
Vocal/Soul-Jazz/Acoustic/Ballad/Beat/Bossa Nova/Easy Listening/Latin Jazz/Lounge/Pop Rock/Soft Rock/Samba/Rock & Roll/Chanson/Swing/Folk/Canzone Napoletana/Disco
Mina
Straniera (Riassunti D'Amore)
2009, CD, Comp, PDU, Sony Music, ,
Europop/Vocal/Ballad
Mina
Per Quando Ti Amo (Riassunti D'Amore)
2009, CD, Comp, PDU, Sony Music, ,
Chanson/Ballad/Vocal
Mina
Mina Con Archi (Riassunti D'Amore)
2009, CD, Comp, PDU, Sony Music
Miroslav Vitous Group W/ Michel Portal
Remembering Weather Report
2009, CD, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Quincy Jones
The 75th Birthday Celebration
2009, Blu-ray, ,
Fusion/Big Band/Contemporary Jazz/Jazz-Funk/Rhythm & Blues
Idea6
Remix 3
2008, 12", Dejavu
Daniel Pezzotti
Daniel Pezzotti’S Cellobration
2008, CD, Album, TCB Records (2)
Various
Italian Trumpet Summit - A Night In Berchidda 1
2008, CD, Comp, La Nuova Sardegna
Various
Italian Trumpet Summit - A Night In Berchidda 2
2008, CD, Comp, La Nuova Sardegna,
Franco Cerri And His European Jazz Stars featuring Lars Gullin with Flavio Ambrosetti, Pierre Favre, Michael Geier*, George Gruntz
Franco Cerri And His European Jazz Stars
2008
George Gruntz
Radio Days
2007, 10xCD + Box, TCB Records (2), ,
Contemporary Jazz
Various
Alpen Jazz Festival 2007 Feldafing
2007, CD, Comp, ACT (4), ,
Contemporary Jazz/Avant-garde Jazz
Giulio Visibelli
Via Maestra
2007, CD, Album, dig, Music Center
Jazz Fantasy
Between
2007, CD, Splasc(h) Records
Idea6
Stepp in' Out
2007, 2x Vinyl, ,
Soul-Jazz/Contemporary Jazz/Jazz-Funk/Neo Soul/Post Bop/Cool Jazz
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band*
Tiger By The Tail
2006, CD, Album, TCB Records (2), NOVARTIS, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Melch Däniker Trio
The Monday Session
2006, CD, Album, Jazz Elite Special
Joe Henderson
In 'N' Around
2005, CD, Comp, Musica Jazz
Jazz Fantasy
Every Breath We Take
2005, CD, Album, Splasc(h) Records
Eric van Aro
Friends
2005, CD, Album, Eraki
Mina
Bula Bula
2005
Mina
L'Allieva
2005
Various
Alpentöne - Ein Querschnitt Durch Das Festival '03
2004, CD, Album, Musiques Suisses, Migros-Kulturprozent, ,
Avant-garde Jazz/Contemporary Jazz/Folk
Various
Iseo Jazz Dieci Anni Di Jazz Italiano
2003, CD, CDpM LION, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Mina
Napoli Primo, Secondo E Terzo Estratto
2003, CD, Album, RE + CD, Album, RE + CD, Single + Box, , PDU, Sony Music
Civica Jazz Band, Ensemble Orchestra Sinfonica Guido Cantelli
Omaggio A Mina - e.Biscom
2003, CD, Album, Promo, S/Edition + Box, Not On Label
Daniel Erismann Trio
Volare
2003, CD, Album, Altrisuoni
Various
Midnight Sessions
2002, 10", Comp, Woopie Music, ,
Hard Bop/Modal/Vocal
George Gruntz
Renaissance Man
2002, CD, Album, TCB Records (2), ,
Contemporary Jazz
Mina
Certe Cose Si Fanno / Oggi Sono Io
2002, CD, Single, GSU, PDU, Sony Music
Mina
Veleno
2002
Mina
Sconcerto
2001, ,
Vocal/Ballad
Massimo Moriconi
D'Improvviso
2001, ,
Jazz-Rock/Big Band
Kenny Barron
Third Eye
2000, CD, Comp, Musica Jazz, High Tide, ,
Post Bop/Contemporary Jazz
Antonio Faraò
Black Inside
1999
Jazz Fantasy
Undiscovered Hit's
1998, CD, Philology
Fritz Renold & The Bostonian Friends
Starlight
1998, CD, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Mina
Nostalgias
1998
Various
Jazz Meets Europe
1997, CD, Comp, MPS Records, Motor Music GMBH, SABA
Michele Bozza
Around
1997, CD, Red Record,
Daniel Humair
Quatre Fois Trois
1997
Various
Switzerjazz
1996, CD, Album, TCB Records (2), Swiss Radio International, Radio DRS
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band*
The MPS Years
1996, CD, Comp, MPS Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Paul Heller
Kaleidoscope
1996, CD, Album, Mons Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Claudio Angeleri
Jazz Files
1996, CD, Album, CDpM LION
Flavio Ambrosetti
Anniversary
1996, 2xCD, Comp, Enja Records,
Antonio Faraò Quartet
Expose
1996, CD, Dischi Della Quercia
Mina
Napoli
1996, ,
Chanson/Canzone Napoletana/Vocal
Mina
Cremona
1996, ,
Chanson/Ballad
Mina
Natale 1996
1996
Mina
Pappa Di Latte Vol. 1/2
1995, 2x CD, ,
Vocal/Chanson
Mina
Canarino Mannaro Vol. 1/2
1994
Mina
Mazzini Canta Battisti
1994, ,
Vocal/Ballad/Schlager
Mina
Mina Canta I Beatles
1993
Peter Jacques (2) / DRS Big Band
Peter Jacques / DRS Big Band
1992, CD, JMP Records, ,
Big Band/Swing
Sfogliare Albi
Tempo Per
1992, CD, Album, YVP Music
Big Band De Lausanne, Marvin Stamm
En Concert à Chorus Et Au Festival de L'Amr: Spring Song
1992, CD, Album, TCB Records (2), ,
Big Band
Mina
Sorelle Lumière
1992
Massimiliano Pani
L'Occasione
1991, CD,
Mina
Caterpillar
1991, 2x Vinyl Gatefold, ,
Chanson/Ballad/Easy Listening
Mario Lavezzi
Voci
1991
New Emily Jazz Orchestra
Eurojazz Is The Question
1990, LP, Album, Splasc(h) Records
George Gruntz Trio*
Serious Fun
1990
Mina
Ti Conosco Mascherina
1990, 2x Vinyl Gatefold, ,
Vocal/Ballad/Europop
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band*
First Prize
1989
Mina
Uiallalla
1989, ,
Soft Rock/Chanson/Ballad/Easy Listening
Various
The Jazz Sampler
1988, CD, Smplr, Enja Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band '87*
Happening Now!
1988, CD, Album, hat ART, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Big Band
Various
Kimus #1
1988, CD, Comp, Ltd, Num, hat ART, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Experimental
Landesjugend Big-Band Rheinland-Pfalz
Paris - Chicago - Valletta
1988, LP, Album, Landesjugend Big-Band Rheinland-Pfalz
Daniel Humair
Surrounded 1964/87
1987
Various
Jazz Performances
1985, LP, Gat, Dire (2)
Dino Betti Van Der Noot
Here Comes Springtime
1985, CD, ,
Big Band/Contemporary Jazz
Various
100 Joor VKB
1984, LP, Comp, S/Edition, Megaphone Records (5)
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band*
The First Ten Years
1982, LP, Comp, Ltd, S/Edition, MPS Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Free Jazz/Fusion/Big Band
Marco Zappa Ensemble
Allegri Ma Non Troppo
1981, LP, Album, Phonag Records,
Peter Herbolzheimer All Star Big Band
Jazz Gala Concert '79
1979, 2xLP, Album, Rare Bid, ,
Fusion/Big Band
Franco Ambrosetti Quintet With Bennie Wallace
Close Encounter
1979, Vinyl, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Fusion
Trumpetmachine Directed By George Gruntz
For Flying Out Proud
1978,
The Band (7) Directed By George Gruntz
Live At The Schauspielhaus
1976, ,
Big Band/Contemporary Jazz
Various
Jazz A Confronto 17 - Jac's Anthology
1975, LP, Album, Horo Records
Various
Jazz Meets The World
1975, 2x Vinyl, ,
Free Jazz/Free Improvisation
Various
From Europe With Jazz
1972, LP, Album, Gat, MPS Records, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Various
11. Mednarodni International Jazz Festival Ljubljana '70
1971, LP, Album, Mono, Helidon
Various
Zurich Jazz Festival 1970
1971, ,
Swing/Modal/Dixieland/Jazz-Rock/Avant-garde Jazz/Free Jazz
Flavio Ambrosetti
Jazz Stars
1968
Various
Jazz In Basel 1967
1967, LP, Comp, Turicaphon, ,
Bop/Free Jazz/Avant-garde Jazz/Big Band/Swing/Ragtime/Dixieland
George Gruntz
Drums And Folklore: From Sticksland With Love
1967,
Eurojazz-Orchester Leitung: Friedrich Gulda
Internationaler Wettbewerb Für Modernen Jazz - Wien 1966 (Schlusskonzert Der Preisträger)
1966, LP, Album, Amadeo, ,
Big Band
Franco Tonani
Night In Fonorama
1964
Giorgio Azzolini
Tribute To Someone
1964
Orchestra King Zérand
Blue Magnolia
7", Bang!! Bang!!, Bang!! Bang!!
Phil Stöckli & Friends
Meyer Lustenberger Special Edition 2008
CD, S/Edition, Not On Label
Peter Herbolzheimer All Star Big Band
Jazz Gala Concert Vol.1
CD, Album, Rare Bid, ,
Big Band
Davide Buzzi
RADIAZIONI SONORE ARTIFICIALI NON COERENTI
2021, CD, Album, II°, Pyramide
Various
Jazz VII Swiss Music
2018, CD, Comp, Promo, Prohelvetia
Various
Dive Into Jazz
2011, 18xCD, Comp, Süddeutsche Zeitung Jazz,
Various
Montecarlo - Nu Jazz Cool, Lounge & Jazz
2011, CD, Comp, Mixed, Halidon, ,
House/Contemporary Jazz/Jazz-Funk/Acid Jazz
Various
Fakes & Covers
2011, CD, Comp, Süddeutsche Zeitung Jazz, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Various
Relaxin'
2010, CD, Pap, Red Record,
Various
Jazz Magazine Vol. 66
2008, CD, Comp, New Sounds 2000,
Various
Ballads Take Five
2006, CD, Comp, Enja Records
Various
Jazz Magazine Vol. 44
2006, CD, Comp, New Sounds 2000,
Various
Mediterranean Jazz
2005, CD, Comp, Jazz & Τζαζ
Various
Skye & Gryphon For Après-Midi Grand Cru
2004, CD, Comp, Skye Records, ,
Hard Bop
Various
Where The Music Lives (A Preview Of Enja Releases Autumn 1997)
1997, CD, Comp, Promo, Enja Records
Various
Dinner Jazz Love Songs
1997, CD, Comp, Jazz FM Records,
Various
Dire Tempo Jazz
1995, ,
Bossa Nova/Smooth Jazz/Jazz-Funk/Contemporary Jazz/Big Band
Various
Generazioni - Jazz Della Svizzera Italiana
1988, 2xLP, Comp, Gat, RTSI