Shivananda -

Shivananda was a Swiss jazz-rock band behind the 1977–79 Gnome Records titles Cross Now and Headlines, followed by the 1983 CSST release Comeback.

Members: Kurt Baebi (keyboards), Roberto Biagini (saxophone), Peter Keiser (bass), Walter Keiser (drums), Carlo Milan (guitar, percussion), Chico Hablas (guitar), Larry Schneider (saxophone)

Background

Shivananda formed in Zürich under keyboardist Kurt Baebi (b. October 25, 1943; Lucerne), who studied piano, notation and composition at Jazzschule Luzern. The group won first place at the 1973 National Jazz Festival in Augst. Shivananda also appeared at the 23rd International Jazz Festival in Zürich in September on a live television broadcast.

In 1974, saxophonist Roberto Biagini joined Shivananda, which played national and international dates with bassist Bruno Brandenberger and drummers Felix Haug, Herbie Hartmann, Figi Honegger, and Allen Blairman. Carlo Milan joined Shivananda later that year as guitarist-percussionist.

By 1975, Shivananda welcomed the Keiser twins: bassist Peter and drummer Walter. The twins were born on April 1, 1954, to Swiss yodeler Marthely Mumenthaler. They played in the entertainment orchestra of Swiss Radio DRS under Hans Moeckel and interacted with saxophonist Victor Burghardt. As a quintet, Shivananda extended their continental itinerary.

Shivananda appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1976 and played on an ORTF live broadcast from Paris. The group also appeared on Südwestfunk from Baden. Shivananda entered Powerplay Studio in Horgen on March 1, 1977, to record the first album for Gnome Music with producer Kurt Weil.

Discography:

Cross Now (1977)
Headlines (1979)
Comeback (1983)

Sources

Kurt Baebi — Shivananda: Baebi’s dedicated band history gives the 1973 formation, Augst win and Zürich television appearance; Biagini, Brandenberger and the rotating drummers in 1974; the Keiser twins and Milan in 1975; and the Montreux, ORTF and Südwestfunk appearances. (Kurt Baebi)
Mx3 — Kurt Baebi: supports Baebi’s October 25, 1943 Lucerne birth and studies in piano, notation and composition at Jazzschule Luzern. (MX3)
NiRo Music — Keiser Twins: identifies Peter and Walter as the 1954-born bass-and-drums twins, describes their Swiss Radio DRS orchestra period under Hans Moeckel and names Victor Burghardt among the experienced musicians from whom they learned. (NiRo Music)
Mumenthaler-Pfyl discography: gives April 1, 1954 as the twins’ birth date and places them in the Keiser family of singer Marthely Mumenthaler. (Bio Discographie)
Hans Philippi jazz archive: lists Shivananda on the September 10–15, 1973 program for the 23rd International Jazz Festival at the Corso in Zürich. (JAZZdocumentation)
Cross Now session data: gives Powerplay Studio in Horgen, March 1–3, 1977, the five-man Baebi/Biagini/Milan/Keiser/Keiser lineup, Gnome Music and producer Kurt Weil. (Metason Music)