Irakere, Cuban Jazz Ensemble

This original 1989 silkscreen by Niklaus Troxler was created to promote a live performance by the Cuban jazz ensemble Irakere at the Willisau Jazz Festival in Switzerland. By the late nineteen eighties, Troxler had already established himself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary poster design, particularly within the world of jazz graphics. His work is defined by an intuitive understanding of rhythm, movement, and sound translated directly into visual form. Here, bold black brushlike figures evoke musicians in motion, their bodies reduced to expressive silhouettes that feel improvised yet precise. The scattered accents of red, yellow, and green punctuate the composition like musical notes, reinforcing the energy and syncopation of Irakere’s Afro Cuban jazz sound. The hand drawn quality and open white space give the poster a sense of immediacy, as if the performance is unfolding in real time. Printed as a silkscreen, this poster exemplifies Troxler’s mastery of the medium and his ability to merge graphic design with musical expression. Works from this period are highly collectible and represent a defining chapter in Swiss poster history, as well as a high point in late twentieth century jazz design. Size: 50.25" x 35.5" Artist: Niklaus Troxler Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Light border wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.