Elina Duni joins the faculty at the Institut Jazz
11.11.2026
The Institut Jazz at the Basel Academy of Music FHNW is delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed singer and composer Elina Duni as its new Professor of Voice and Ensembles from November 1, 2026.
In her music, Elina Duni brings together the song traditions of Albania and the Balkans with the freedom and openness of jazz improvisation. With her distinctive voice, stylistic versatility and particular sensitivity for musical storytelling, she has established herself on the international stage.
Born into a family of artists in Tirana, Duni first performed on stage at the age of five. After studying classical piano in Geneva, she turned to jazz and founded the Elina Duni Quartet while studying at the Bern University of the Arts. Since 2012, she has released her music on ECM Records. Alongside her work as a solo artist, she has maintained a long-standing musical collaboration with British guitarist Rob Luft. Their latest album, Reaching for the Moon, was released in April 2026.
Duni received the Swiss Music Prize in 2017 and the Swiss Jazz Award in 2025. She has also served as a mentor at the Montreux Jazz Academy.
We look forward to working with Elina Duni and warmly welcome her to the Institut Jazz at the Basel Academy of Music FHNW!