Lea Maria Fries Cleo

Lea Maria Fries, born in 1989 in Switzerland, began her musical journey initially with piano lessons, later turning to singing at the age of 14. She then earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Performance at the Lucerne School of Music from 2009 to 2014, specializing in jazz singing with internationally renowned professors such as Susanne Abbuehl, Lauren Newton, and Hans Feigenwinter. In 2010, she was the only Swiss participant and the youngest to reach the semifinals of the international jazz singing competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival, with Quincy Jones on the jury. In search of alternative sounds and inspiration, in 2014 she moved to Berlin, where she spent four years exploring textures, compositions, and self-discovery. She later moved to France. Today, she lives and works both in Paris and Switzerland. Early in her career, Fries was a respected sidewoman in various bands and musical styles, collaborating with artists such as Dutronc & Dutronc, Eric Legnini, Julien Herné, Macha Gharibian, Empire Of Sound, or Louis Matute. Her musical style draws influences from jazz, pop, rock, electronic music, and black music, with a particular appreciation for the freedom of improvisation. She blends these diverse influences as a performer, bandleader, composer, and lyricist in her bands et.nu and her jazz quartet 22° Halo, as well as in other projects. As a co-writer, she has contributed to projects such as “For A Word” by Gauthier Toux, “Large Ensemble” by Louis Matute, and the trio of Macha Gharibian. With her versatile voice and strong sense of rhythm, groove, and phrasing, she excels in various musical contexts, shining on stage.

Project "JAZZ METROPOLITAN AREA 2026" for Reteventi Cultura Veneto 2026

with Lea Maria Fries - vocals
Gauthier Toux - piano
Lukas Traxel - double bass
Antoine Paganotti - drums

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