JOPO learned his first instrument (bass guitar) at the age of thirteeen under W. Lehmann and played in blues and jazz formations. At nineteen he changed to the alto saxophone, which from then on was to become his main instrument (under Ch. Baader, Swiss Jazz School, A. Scherrer). He plays his second instrument (bass clarinet) since 1981 (self-taught). Since 1975 he performs regularly with individual formations and projects, whereby, as leader or co-player, he is always able to contribute with his own compositions. Examples include: 'Volks-Jazz-Ensemble', 'Markus-Stauss-Quartett', 'JOPO-Lüscher-Duo' and in particular the 'City/6/tett'.
Since 1983 he gives instrumental instruction, workshops and directs the 'House-Orchestra' together with Roberto dos Santos at the Basel Music Workshop. He also cooperated in the development and running of this workshop.
In 1989 he composed 'Bericht eines Schiffbrüchigen' together with Ingeborg Poffet for quartet with Serena Wey also in 1989 and together with his wife, Ingeborg Poffet (accordion vocals, compsition), he formed 'Duo fatale'. They conduct all their projects for which they use their own exclusive compositions with tours in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and participation at international festivals (Leipzig, St.Petersburg, Münster, Jakarta, Singapore, Khartoum, and many more), various international radio and television productions (Izmir, Bologna, SWF, DRS, Moscow, Spain, Bandung, Jazz Swissmade, Bremerhaven, Odessa). He plays saxophones / clarinets in film music for films by D. Detwiler & R.Schneider ('Letzter Coiffeur vor der Wettsteinbrücke', a documentary). 'Duo fatal' became 'Trio fatale Vision' after formation with Avant-garde, Ethno, classical, and rock musicians under the title 'Duo fatale meets international guests'. Since 1989 Duo fatale plus painter Heinz Schäublin received a financial award from the Alexander Clavel Foundation Riehen - Jardin lumière 1992; 2.Preis 'Kunstkredit Basel', 'NachtMachtPlatz' (1990) a multimedia formation with live performances 'fatale vision' at the international festivals of Smolensk (Russia), Pärnu (Estonia), Stuttgart, Singapore and exhibitions in Berowergut Riehen (Casa Obscura - Musica Magica 1994), in the exhibition room 'Klingenthal' (Sojourner´s Gallery 1998) and the old barracks at the 'Musikfestwochen Winterthur' (Sojourner´s Gallery 2000).
Since 1991 and the formation of 'JAISH' JOPO and Ingeborg Poffet regularly play together on site with various Indian musicians, mainly with Prakash Shejwal pakhavaj and Milind Sheorey bansouri (both from Bombay) with concerts in India (Bombay), Switzerland and Germany.
Since 1999 'Duo fatale meets percussion' with Barni Palm former percussionist of the group 'Brainticket', who returned to Switzerland after eighteen years residency in India. Concerts include: 'Musikfestwochen Winterthur' 1999, 'Jazz à Mulhouse' 2000, 'Gundeldinger Kunsthalle' 2000 (Basel). Since 1999 'KABA-QuARTett' with the musician Johannes Frisch from Karlsruhe (contrabass) and Michael Ströder (drums). Concerts at: 'Jubi' Karlsruhe, Parterre, Sudhaus, Music Workshop Basel (live recordings for Radio DRS March 2000). In 1997 he conducted and participated in the MKS-Vernetzungs-Orchester 'Frontières...' with Ingeborg Poffet.
In 1998 he conducted and participated in the Disabled Orchestra sound collages with Ingeborg Poffet.
In 1990, 1993 and 1997 he organised and participated in the international XOPF-Festivals in Basel.
Since 1990 he is manager of XOPF-Association X.I.E.A.M.S. (Label XOPF-Records) and from 1999 until 2003 he delegated the single members of Swissperform. In 1999, 2000 and 2001 he conducted and participated in the disabled orchestra 'Sound-Export with the Mega-Ram-Orchester' with performances at the Gundeldinger Casino in Basel, 'Wildwuchs-Festival' 2001 and in 'Parterre' in Basel.
In 2000 he was soloist and musician in the 'Klangkörper' Swiss pavilion Expo 2000 in Hanover.
2002 Fresh'nDJ, Duo fatale meets DJ GRU (Sergei Klein) form Odessa/Ukraine, concert nt/Areal Basel.
2002 wood'nt Performance on the railway tracks of the nt/Areals with J.-J. Futterer cb, JOPO bcl, Ingeborg Poffet (electronics) and Christian Hefel (chainsaw).
2002 Marguerite-QuARTett with JOPO, Stefan Baumann (cello), Andi Isler (dr), 'Konzert 101'. 'Tonkünstlerfest' Zug/Baar, live recording by DRS 2
2003 '4hoch3' with Peter Kleindienst (guitar), Georges Bloch (vocals), JOPO (bcl, as, vocals) Ingeborg Poffet (accordion, vocals); Six concerts in Switzerland Germany and France.
2003 femme fatale composition, conducting and concept with I. Poffet, multimedia spectacle Open Air in front of the 'Orangerie' / 'Sarasinpark' in Riehen.
2003 El JIM V. with JOPO and Murat Coskun oriental percussion; concert in Switzerland.
Since 2004 Aisha Fatalisha with I.Poffet, Jbara guimberie, guitar, darbuka, vocals, Hassan Tber fl, darbuka, vocals Youssef El Mejjad keyboard, darbuka, vocals; Concerts in Morocco.
Work list
Fundamental Rhythm (1980)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and tenor saxophone
Duration: 3' 30" Manuscript
Magic Dance (1981)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and tenor saxophone
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Sweet Line (1982)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and tenor saxophone
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Ein Spaziergang über den City-Ring (1983)
Instrumentation: for viola, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, bass and percussion
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Gezeitenswing (1984)
Instrumentation: for three alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, trombone, piano, bass, percussion and percussion
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Wake up bullshit and sleep well (1984)
Instrumentation: for soprano saxophone, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, trombone, piano, bass, drums and percussion
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Pascale (1985)
Instrumentation: for bass clarinet and tenor saxophone
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
The People's talking [sic!] (1986)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, keyboard, bass and drums
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
Wenn Dir hören und sehen aufgeht (1988)
Slide show
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, keyboard, drum machine, playback tapes and slides
Duration: 52' 00" Manuscript
Zeitgeist (1988)
Instrumentation: for three alto saxophones, bass and drums
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Night's for silence lovers (1988)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, two tenor saxophones, bass and percussion
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Rosi's Highlife Disco Stomp (1988)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trombone, accordion, guitar, bass and drums
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Timeles [sic!] (1988)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, two tenor saxophones, bass and drums
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
The Douse (1988)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and percussion
Duration: 3' 30" Manuscript
One for Pascalenette (1988)
Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, bass and drums
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
The fullmoon ballroom dessert [sic!] (1988)
Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, bass and drums
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Thrill (1989)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, guitar, bass and drums
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
The story over the Draw to the music [sic!] (1989)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass and drums
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Bericht eines Schiffbrüchigen (1989)
Instrumentation: for accordion, saxophone, trombone and percussion
Texts: Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
A music-theatrical-project with the actress Serena Wey.
Duration: 75' 00" Manuscript
Industrial Championship (1989)
Instrumentation: for two trumpets, trombone, the alto saxophones, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, two tenor saxophones, piano, two double-bass, two drummers and two percussionists
Duration: 26' 00" Manuscript
Apollon's [sic!] Garden - the fatale-Fethyie-house (1989)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion and voice
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Sunday-Waltz (1989)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and accordion
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Steps into Apollon's [sic!] Garden (1990)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and accordion
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Spots & Spotlights (1991)
Instrumentation: for alto and tenor saxophones, trombone, accordion, voice, bass and percussion
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Townsteps (1991)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trombone, accordion, voice, bass and drums
Duration: 22' 00" Manuscript
Trupti-Mupti (Therva) (1992)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, pakhavaj and tanpura
Co-production with Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Message for the craws [sic!] (Chautaal) (1992)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, pakhavaj and panpura
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Sundrawn Shaddows [sic!] (1992)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, pakhavaj and tanpura
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
In and Out (1992)
Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, accordion and voice
Duration: 4' 30" Manuscript
Desert Song (1993)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, pakhavaj, and tanpura
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Durga (1993)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, two voices, pakhavaj and tanpura
Duration: 19' 00" Manuscript
Spirits (1993)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, pakhavaj and tanpura
Duration: 19' 00" Manuscript
Common speakings (1993)
Instrumentation: for saxophone, clarinet, accordion, voice, bass and percussion
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Sunday Waltz II (1994)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and accordion
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
When the heartbeat went up to nine... (1994)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion and voice
Duration: 4' 30" Manuscript
Spirits (1994)
Instrumentation: for three voices, accordion, alto saxophone, pakhavaj and tanpura
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 25' 00" Manuscript
Bathroom Melody (1994)
Instrumentation: for saxophone, clarinet, accordion, voice, bass and percussion
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Casa Obscura (1994)
Musical-sculptural room installation
Instrumentation: for eight loud speakers distributed in a room
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 70' 00" Manuscript
IDEE ALL (1994)
Musical experience-rooms
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, bass, prepared piano, accordion, three voices, percussion instruments, electronic, electronic tape, video and slide projection
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 55' 00" Manuscript
Jungle Style (1995)
Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, accordion and voice
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
No sugar no salt (1994)
Instrumentation: for three voices and clapping
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Personality (Matta Taal) (1996)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, sanangi, tanpura and pakavaj
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Suresh's Party (Rudra Taal) (1996)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, sanangi, tanpura and akhavaj
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Flying home (Aadi Taal) (1996)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion, voice, sanangi, tanpura and pakhavaj
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Blauhelme im Röstigraben (1996)
A crisis-scenario for Switzerland in three acts
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, accordion, voice, electronic, playback tapes and slide projections
Dramatic multimedia performance from the 'Tag des Flüchtlings' (day of the refugees) in 1996. A co-production with the 'Schweizerischen Flüchtlingshilfe' (Swiss Refugee Help).
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 75' 00" Manuscript
La Companie [sic!] des dances [sic!] (1997)
Instrumentation: for alto sax, bass clarinet, guitar, trombone, violin, viola, two voices, bass, drums, djembe, percussion
Duration: 27' 00" Manuscript
Sojourner's Gallery (1998)
Visual-acoustic installation
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, six voices, piano, prepared piano, gongs, violin, bass, rototoms and playback
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 36' 00" Manuscript
Crossroads (1998)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion and voice
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
The Vocal-Journey-Suite (1999)
Instrumentation: for mixed a-cappella choir
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Millenium Communication (1999)
Instrumentation: for soprano, clarinet, accordion, voice, bass and percussion
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Chandrika (2000)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, accordion and voice
Duration: 7' 30" Manuscript
The blue-metallic-bridge (2001)
Instrumentation: for soprano saxophone
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Fresh-Suite Odessa (2001)
Instrumentation: for accordion, voice, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet and electronic
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 35' 00" Manuscript
Adamis-Jam, op. 132 (2001)
Instrumentation: for voice, acc, asax, bcl, perc, didgeridoo, electronics
Collaborative composition between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Incroyable-Bâle-Suite (2001)
Instrumentation: for 2 voices, 2 clarinets, sx quartet, db, acc, gtr, perc
Collaborative composition between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 85' 00" Manuscript
Fresh Suite Palazzo, op. 138 (2001)
Instrumentation: for sx, cl, acc, song and electronics
Duration: 88' 00" Manuscript
Fresh'nDJ@nt#1, op. 139 (2002)
Instrumentation: for 2 sax, bcl, acc, song, electronics and DJ
Duration: 53' 00" Manuscript
Fresh'nDJ@nt#2, op. 14 (2002)
Instrumentation: for 2 sax, bcl, acc, song, electronics and DJ
Duration: 58' 00" Manuscript
femme fatale (2003)
Scenic multi-media performance with dance, son et lumière and chain saw
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, accordion, voice, vibraphone, violin, violoncello, 2 double-bass, female dancer, sculptor and slide projection
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 75' 00" Manuscript
4hoch3 (2003)
Instrumentation: for four voices, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, guitar, accordion
Duration: 23' 00" Manuscript
Das macht Spass (2003)
Instrumentation: for four voices, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, guitar and accordion
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Fiction-Suite-Palazzo (2004)
an eletro-acoustic radio play about time
Instrumentation: for accordion, voice, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, live electronics, sampler, drum machine tapes
For travellers and those who stay at home.
Co-production between Ingeborg Poffet & JOPO.
Duration: 77' 00" Manuscript
Inner Forces (2004)
Instrumentation: for violin, viola and cello
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
Indian Book (2006)
Instrumentation: for saxophone (Eb & Bb), optional voice and accordion