Manu Koch

Born in Baar, Switzerland, Koch studied classical piano from age 6 and tenor saxophone at age 18 while also taking courses at the Jazz School Lucerne. In 1993 he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he graduated four years later. During his Boston years he became an in-demand freelancer performing with various bands and projects ranging from jazz, funk and hip-hop to music from Brazil, Mali, Trinidad and Haiti. Manu Koch relocated to New York in May 2000 where he still lives today.

His Swiss upbringing, a home base in the US for 25 years, and having resided in Brazil, India and China (Hong Kong) for extended amounts of time have formed his perception of the world and sense of sound as much as his work with over 100 artists, bands and projects throughout his professional career.

Some of his most significant sideman work includes collaborations with Angélique Kidjo (US Oyaya! touring band from 2004-2006), Santana’s musical director and former Miles Davis bassist Benny Rietveld (various projects since 2005), Romanian vocalist Teodora Enache, Nigerian talking drum master and vocalist Kofo The Wonderman (band member since 2007), Israeli flutist Mattan Klein (various projects since the late 90’s), Indian guitarist Prasanna, urban folk/jazz artist KJ Denhert, Cape Verdean vocalist Fantcha, French-Moroccan vocalist Malika Zarra, the New York Gypsy All-Stars (touring the US, Brazil, Europe and Asia from 2011-2016), and participated on 15 album productions by blues/soul artist Tomás Doncker for True Groove Records from 2012 - 2017.

Since the release of his debut album Triple Life in 2011 Manu's focus has shifted to Filtron M, his free-form project composed of a multi-national network of musicians and a platform to showcase his compositions and productions. While appearing in New York frequently as Filtron M since late 2012 Manu had the initial members divided into units as introduced on the EP Mandatory Underground (2014). The album Astoria Roots Live (2017) featured the unit of the same name live at the Iridium in New York and at Moods in Zürich with featured guests. Besides several performances in Switzerland, Filtron M also appeared at Soirée Suisse in Washington DC and at the Jazzmandu Festival in Nepal. On the new album Transit Net, set for worldwide digital release on November 26th 2021, Manu is joined by 21 musicians of 14 nationalities and expands on what Filtron M sounds and looks like.

As a professional Manu Koch has worked with Mahmoud Ahmed, James Chance, Cindy Blackman, Selamino, Lionel Loueke, Grégoire Maret, Gino Sitson, Yacouba Sissoko, Kaïssa, Joca Perpignan, Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen, Portinho, Vanderlei Pereira, Bob Moses, Mark Simmons, Charles Haynes, Adam Deitch, Magos Herrera, Mendes Brothers and Sekouba Bambino to name a few.

He also appeared in concert with top international artists such as Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Roy Hargrove, Mino Cinelu, Lonnie Plaxico, Graham Haynes, Duduka da Fonseca, Donny McCaslin, Miguel Zenon, Emeline Michel, Vusi Mahlasela and Hüsnü Şenlendirici. Show less