From Latin Beats to Jazz Streets: NUNA’s Global Sound
- Martina Knecht
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 24
On 23 February 2025, NUNA kicked off Zurich Jam Session at L200. A review by Martina Knecht.
This February, NUNA took the stage in Zurich to kick off the Zurich Jam Session, setting the tone for an electrifying jam session ahead. This local band, formed by Oscar Velásquez (sax & clarinet), Alessandro Pittini (guitar), Benjamin Kissola Gonçalves (bass), and Freddy Benitez (drums), brought a fresh sound to the stage, blending influences from Latin American, jazz, African, and Flamenco music into a cohesive, genre-defying experience.
NUNA was created by these four musicians, who each bring a wealth of experience from their diverse cultural backgrounds and musical expertise. Together, they create music that combines elements from their home countries, cultural roots, and academic training. The result is a unique sound that is rich in tradition yet forward-thinking in its execution.
Oscar Velásquez, the Colombian saxophonist and clarinetist, blends traditional Latin American melodies with classical music and jazz, creating a deeply textured and intricate sound. Alessandro Pittini, the Swiss guitarist of Italian descent, adds a distinct flavour by weaving together jazz harmonies and improvisations with the passionate rhythms of Flamenco—a genre he immersed himself in during his time in Madrid. On bass, Benjamin Kissola Gonçalves—born to Congolese and Angolan heritage, and raised in Brazil and Switzerland—delves into the rhythmic core of African and Brazilian music, crafting unique textures and grooves that redefine traditional foundations. Meanwhile, Freddy Benitez, hailing from Colombia and Ecuador, brings his expertise in Afro-Latin rhythms, driving the band's dynamic energy with his infectious grooves and intricate percussion patterns.
NUNA lineup (from left): Oscar Velásquez (sax, clarinet), Alessandro Pittini (guitar), Benjamin Kissola Gonçalves (bass), Freddy Benitez (drums)
What makes NUNA stand out is their ability to seamlessly blend these diverse musical traditions, creating a sound that feels both grounded in history and excitingly new. Each performance is an exploration of rhythm, melody, and culture—an invitation to experience a sonic journey through Latin jazz and beyond.
NUNA kicked off the Zurich Jam Session with a powerful performance, bringing their exhilarating fusion of Latin, jazz, and world music to life. With their groundbreaking style and exceptional musicianship, they captivated the audience and inspired fellow musicians to push their boundaries through spontaneous improvisation. The jam session reached a new level when Oscar Velásquez, Aldo Pittini, Rodrigo Botter Maio, and Oscar Amortegui joined in with their saxophones, creating an electrifying moment as the rich, powerful sound of the combined brass merged with the guitar, bass, harmonica, piano, drums, and percussion.
NUNA are Oscar Velásquez on sax & clarinet, Alessandro Pittini on guitar, Benjamin Kissola Gonçalves on bass, and Freddy Benitez on drums.
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