Initially called Mambassa Collective, the project was born in 2018 thanks to the impetus of Cedric Blaser with the intention of creating a project that would bring together musicians from several formations (Saraka, Jacob Hannes, ABC).
The first compositions, influenced by Nigerian afrobeat and European disco-music, emerged from collective jam sessions and are built around repetitive loops, sung parts, incisive wind themes and long stretches of improvisation. The group went on to play a number of venues and festivals in Switzerland. Unfortunately, the pandemic halted the project’s momentum and the initial intention of recording an EP.
After a 2-year hiatus and a change of configuration, the band resumed its activity with a series of concerts in summer 2022 (Les Georges Festival in Fribourg, Buskers Festival and La Straordinaria in Lugano, Tartare de Miettes Festival in Les Bois, Hors Tribu Festival in Môtiers) and introduces a more developed sound and a strong identity, condensing the multiple musical influences of its members.
The band navigates and intertwines different sound universes, honoring its members’ influences and rhythmic heritages, through compositions strongly connected to the harmonic language of jazz whilst integrating vocals and lyrical elements that echo the tradition of Italian chanson.
During its summer tour in 2023 (CH/IT), the band rebaptises itself LAYENA to embrace the new identity of the project, and steps in the studio in December of that same year to record its first album.
Cedric Blaser – Guitar/Voice
Leonardo Degli Antoni – Drums
Jonas Hutter – Percussions
Emilio Giovanoli – Bass
Livia Marras – Keyboards
Daniel Hernandez – Keyboards
Josephine Nagorsnik – Trombone
Victor Decamp – Trombone
Thierry Marro – Saxophone
Marina Iten – Saxophone
Andrew Baker – Saxophone