The ACF DC is thrilled to welcome yvonne moriel :: sweetlife with their fresh and vibrant sounds. Experience an energetic mix of jazz, dub, and electronics as Yvonne Moriel and her sweetlife quartet present their debut album.
The music of sweetlife blends various influences: jazz is combined with dub effects and electronics, while free-jazz-inspired improvisational sections meet complex rhythmic patterns and beats influenced by modern jazz and hip-hop. The quartet constantly explores sound expansion and pushes the boundaries of traditional instrumentation and composition concepts, drawing inspiration from the innovative spirit of jazz and the experimental, open-minded jazz scene of today.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The quartet formed in 2022 and was immediately selected by Austrian Music Export as one of the country's most promising young jazz bands. They were introduced to an industry audience at Kickjazz Festival at world renowned Porgy and Bess jazz club in Vienna and made their debut in front of an ecstatic crowd at International Jazzfestival Saalfelden. The ensemble is proud to be part of NASOM 2025/2026, representing Austria’s vibrant and forward-thinking jazz scene. In November 2024, yvonne moriel :: sweetlife released their first EP, followed by a debut album in 2025.
Yvonne Moriel (saxophone, flute), recently honored with the Austrian Jazz Award for Best Newcomer, studied both classical and jazz saxophone before rapidly establishing her distinctive voice on the European scene. As leader of the sweetlife quartet, she blends jazz, dub, and electronics into adventurous soundscapes. Moriel is also a member of acclaimed ensembles such as Shake Stew and Christian Muthspiel’s Orjazztra, has appeared monthly at Porgy & Bess in Vienna, and was commissioned to open the Main Stage at the International Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2026.
Stephanie Weninger (moog, keys) holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Piano and Instrumental & Vocal Pedagogy, and earned a full scholarship to Berklee’s Women’s Performance Program. Equally at home in concert halls and the studio, she has performed at Jazzfestival Saalfelden, Ronacher, Konzerthaus, and Berklee Performance Center, and contributed to ORF productions including Dancing Stars and Starmania. Her own Stephanie Weninger Quartet showcases her original compositions and improvisational flair.
Lorenz Widauer (trumpet), trained in classical trumpet in Innsbruck and Vienna before shifting to jazz trumpet under Lars Seniuk at MUK Vienna. As solo chair in big bands from Orjazztra Vienna to the Vienna Composers Bigband, and collaborator with ensembles ranging from Synchron Stage Vienna to pop acts like Laura Zotti, he brings both technical command and stylistic versatility. A recipient of the Hubert von Goisern Kulturpreis and the Joe Zawinul Award, Widauer leads projects in modern jazz and fusion, including his Mashed Peas collective.
Raphael Vorraber (drums) studied Jazz Drums performance and pedagogy at the Universities of Music and Arts in Graz and Vienna. Based in Vienna, he pursues odd-but-good rhythmic feels inspired by Otis Jackson Jr. and Elvin Jones. An in-demand collaborator in jazz, neo-soul, and hip-hop, his recent work “313” with Suluka premiered summer 2023. As a dedicated educator, he teaches masterclasses on hip-hop grooves and serves as a visiting artist at MDW and Johannes Brahms Music School.
ABOUT NASOM
The New Austrian Sound of Music – in short NASOM – is a biannual sponsorship program by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) promoting emerging Austrian and Austria-based musicians performing abroad.
The aim of NASOM is to offer support for international performances of promising young talents with the help of a global network of embassies, cultural forums and consulates over a period of two years. A further objective of NASOM is to draw more attention to the fact that Austrian music – beyond the traditional – is as vibrant, modern and culturally diverse as ever.
Every two years, the young artists accepted for this program are selected in cooperation with the organization mica – music austria and an expert commission. Participants of the sponsorship program are chosen from the genres classical, jazz, global, contemporary and pop/electronic music.
Image © sweetlife: Tobias Paal