Alex Bugnon

Alex Bugnon was born on October 10, 1958, in Montreux, Switzerland, and grew up in Caux, a town near the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. This environment, coupled with an early friendship with Herbie Hancock and the influence of his uncle, legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, shaped his musical inclinations. Bugnon pursued formal music education at the Paris Conservatory and the Mozart Academy in Salzburg before moving to the United States at age 19 to attend Berklee College of Music. After completing his studies, he relocated to New York, where he began his career as a session musician, touring with artists such as Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Patti Austin, James Ingram, and Glenn Jones.

His recording career commenced in 1988 with his debut album, “Love Season,” released by Orpheus Records. This album quickly achieved success, reaching number 2 on the R&B charts and earning Bugnon Best New Artist honors. He continued to produce a series of successful albums, including “Head Over Heels” (1990), “107° In the Shade” (1991) with Epic Records, and “Tales From the Bright Side” (1995) under RCA. From 2000 to 2005, Bugnon released four albums with Narada Jazz: “…As Promised,” “Soul Purpose,” “Southern Living,” and “Free.” These albums contributed to his presence on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Jazz Albums charts, with “…As Promised” reaching number 9 on the Jazz Albums chart.

Bugnon later established his own label, Xela Records, through which he released “Going Home” (2010) and “Harlem” (2013). Throughout his career, he has maintained an active touring schedule, performing at various venues and festivals globally. He has also had a long-standing residency at Blues Alley for over 25 years. His compositions often blend elements of jazz, R&B, and soul, demonstrating his versatility as a musician and composer.