Biography
Grammy Award®-winning clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Linus Wyrsch has firmly established himself as one of the busiest and most sought-after instrumentalists in New York City. The Swiss-born Berklee College of Music alumnus is a fixture at premier venues in New York and esteemed establishments along the East Coast. He has also performed across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, reaching audiences on a global scale. Alongside leading his own bands, Linus is in high demand as a side musician and collaborator among esteemed international artists, including Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats (Grammy Award® winner for Best Children's Album 2018), Martin Pizzarelli from the illustrious Pizzarelli family, and award-winning composer and vocalist Gizem Gokoglu, among numerous others.
With versatility spanning various genres from classical music to R&B and Pop, Linus Wyrsch specializes in swing and straight-ahead jazz from the Great American Songbook, Brazilian and Latin American music, as well as European chanson. Highly regarded for his breadth of repertoire, musical sensitivity, personalized accompaniments and hard-swingin’ style, he is a particular favorite among vocalists. His performances radiate joy and humor, inspired by his heroes’ lighthearted approach. Spontaneous surprises, infectious smiles, cleverly placed melodic quotes, musical dialogues with others, or even playful exchanges between his clarinet and tenor saxophone all contribute to the charismatic energy he brings to stages worldwide.
In addition to his international touring experience across four continents, Linus Wyrsch has performed in over half of the United States with various ensembles. He had the privilege to work at renowned establishments such as The United Nations, The Kennedy Center, Barclays Center, The Rockefeller Estate, Boston Symphony Hall, The Mann Center, as well as at embassies and consulates. Additionally, he has performed at prominent music festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Blue Note Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, and Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, as well as at clubs like Blues Alley, Birdland, Dizzy’s (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Blue Note New York, Mezzrow, City Winery, and B.B. King’s, to offer a mere glimpse. Linus has also played at notable events such as the Swiss National Day Celebrations and at countless other reputable institutions, museums, hotels, parks, theaters, halls, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, and libraries. Within the bustling expanse of New York City and its surrounding metropolitan area, it is indeed a rare occurrence to find a venue where he has not yet had the privilege of performing.
Linus Wyrsch has contributed to over 20 albums, spanning a diverse range of musical styles and collaborations. These include the dynamic 2016 duo concert release "Live at Villa Irniger", the Grammy Award®-winning "All the Sounds" by Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats, the pulsating “Cumbia Universal” by the Gregorio Uribe Big Band, and the soulful “Feeling the Love" by Alexia Gardner. He has made appearances in various publications and on TV and radio, including NBC's Universal Kids. His musical contributions encompass international productions, including soundtracks for films, TV, commercials, and theatrical performances. Recordings featuring his musicianship received airtime on stations in multiple countries. From 2009 until 2021, Linus produced and hosted the popular podcast “The Jazz Hole” for BTRToday, offering listeners a unique backstage pass to the jazz scene with insightful interviews featuring high-caliber guests.
Born in Switzerland in 1987, Linus’ passion for music ignited in his hometown of Küssnacht am Rigi, even before his hands could carry the weight of a clarinet. He delved into classical and jazz lessons under the tutelage of notable instructors Christa Schneider, Peter Wespi, and Roland von Flüe from the Jazz School Lucerne. Playing alongside his father, Urs Wyrsch, a semi-professional bassist, and renowned guests, Linus gained invaluable performing experience. With the encouragement of his family, teachers, and accomplished musicians Javon Jackson and Pius Baumgartner, Linus enrolled at Berklee College of Music in 2006, where he excelled as a clarinetist, earning a Berklee Achievement Scholarship and graduating summa cum laude in 2008. During his time in Boston, he began recording and performing extensively while learning from renowned teachers such as Frank Tiberi, the esteemed leader of the Woody Herman Orchestra.
Building upon those early experiences, Linus got to share the stage with Bossa Nova pioneers Cesar Camargo Mariano and Oscar Castro-Neves, film composers Alan Silvestri and Howard Shore, and jazz legends and former Benny Goodman guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Gene Bertoncini, fostering deep musical friendships. The list of esteemed artists from the realms of jazz, other music genres, and even television, with whom Linus has had the privilege of sharing music since then, is extensive and includes iconic musicians Paquito D’Rivera, John Pizzarelli, Larry Fuller, Andy McGhee, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, among others. Linus maintains regular involvement with a diverse range of musical groups, as can be seen on his busy calendar of performances. Additionally, Linus Wyrsch leads his own trio and quartet and co-leads acclaimed ensembles like the Power Swing Quartet, Butterfly Blue, and the Linus NYC Quartet with Gizem Gokoglu. His pursuit of a consistent presence in Europe involves regular tours, often accompanied by his influential father, bassist Urs Wyrsch.
Photo credit: Kevin Harkins
“With a depth of feeling that belies his disciplined classical technique, Wyrsch demonstrates why it’s past time for this expressive but long-overlooked instrument to return to the fore.”
“Linus sounds great and I really like the direction he is going into.”
“Linus is moving toward a formidable career.”
“You always make people happy.”
“During the period at Berklee College of Music as a student, I considered him to be a talented clarinetist and determined to achieve his mark as being the greatest, and I see without a doubt, he has arrived.”
“... a mean clarinet player.””