Alex Bugnon, a Swiss-born pianist, composer, and bandleader from Caux near Montreux, has been a dynamic force in contemporary jazz for nearly three decades. Influenced early on by his uncle Donald Byrd, friend Herbie Hancock, and the Montreux Jazz Festival, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and Berklee College of Music before touring with major R&B artists like Patti Austin and Freddie Jackson. His 1989 debut Love Season launched him to prominence, reaching #2 on the R&B charts and earning multiple awards. Subsequent albums with Epic, RCA, and Narada/EMI—including 107 Degrees in the Shade, This Time Around, and Soul Purpose—cemented his place in smooth jazz and soul. Through his own Xela Records, Bugnon continues to produce acclaimed work and maintain a devoted global following, performing annually at Washington D.C.’s Blues Alley for over 20 years. Influenced by jazz greats from Herbie Hancock to Ahmad Jamal, he remains dedicated to his craft, composing and practicing daily.