Founded in 1987 by Vera Brandes in Cologne, Germany, INTUITION RECORDS was originally part of the VeraBra Music Group. The label aimed to establish a name unencumbered by associations with mainstream genres. From the start, INTUITION scouted for music that blended jazz, world music, and new experimental soundscapes—releasing genre-transcending works beyond typical jazz boundaries. In 2000, the label merged with Wergo under the Schott Music & Media GmbH umbrella, and by 2002 its headquarters moved from Cologne to Mainz. As part of Schott, Intuition expanded its vision, founding sublabels like European Jazz Legends, Intuition Documentary and INTUITION Master Series (vinyl) to develop niche yet artistically ambitious catalogues.

Now based in Mainz and under the Schott Music umbrella, INTUITION remains one of Europe’s most respected independent labels in jazz and world music. With over three decades of releases, the label continues to spotlight artists of deep individuality and integrity—reinforcing its identity as a curator of music that speaks across cultures and generations.

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Vision and Aesthetic

The name INTUITION reflects the label’s aesthetic approach: to trust artistic instinct, to support visionary creators, and to invite listeners into immersive soundscapes. Over the decades, INTUITION’s catalogue has embraced acoustic jazz, chamber music, fusion, electro-acoustic experimentation, and global music traditions. The common thread among all releases is a sense of integrity, openness, and musical depth. In contrast to trend-driven releases, INTUITION has consistently offered albums that mature over time — music that rewards attentive listening and bridges tradition with innovation.

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Key Artists and Collaborations

From its early days, INTUITION attracted some of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. Among the earliest landmark releases was Charlie Mariano’s Alvorada — a seminal work blending jazz saxophone with South Indian Carnatic music influences. This established a core value of the label: embracing global perspectives within a jazz-informed framework.

The catalogue includes recordings by a wide range of influential and genre-crossing artists, including:

• Rabih Abou-Khalil – Lebanese oud virtuoso known for his groundbreaking fusion of Arabic music with jazz, collaborating with Glen Velez, Michel Godard, and Jarrod Cagwin on several Intuition releases.
• Abdullah Ibrahim – South African pianist and composer whose deeply spiritual and politically resonant music connects African heritage with jazz traditions. His 2013 release Mukashi (Once Upon A Time) is a standout in the catalogue.
• Eddie Palmieri – Palmieri was a Grammy-winning pianist, composer and bandleader known for fusing Afro Cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he became one of the most influential figures in Latin jazz, inspiring generations of musicians worldwide.
• Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia – A cornerstone of the British jazz-rock fusion scene, blending expressive saxophone work with electric textures.
• Oregon – A legendary American group known for merging world music with chamber jazz, featuring Paul McCandless, Ralph Towner, and Glen Moore.
• WDR Big Band Köln feat. Joe Zawinul – A rare and powerful collaboration capturing the genius of the Weather Report co-founder in a European big band context.
• Silke Eberhard, Florian Ross, Michael Riessler, Nils Wogram, Joachim Kühn, and Rolf Kühn – artists who have each contributed innovative, contemporary European jazz projects to the label’s growing legacy.
• David Helbock’s Random/Control – A piano-driven trio that challenges the borders between jazz tradition and experimental fun, pushing the boundaries of form and instrumentation.
• Jazz Bigband Graz feat. Theo Bleckmann – large-ensemble avant-garde works combining voice, electronics, and extended composition.

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Phases of Evolution

1987–2000: veraBra Roots and Jazz Expansion

In its first phase, Intuition positioned itself as a haven for innovative European jazz and world music. Under Vera Brandes‘ leadership, the label released critically acclaimed albums by artists like Charlie Mariano, Steps Ahead, Stephan Micus, Eddie Palmieri, David Friedman, and Rabih Abou-Khalil, many of whom were involved in bridging jazz with classical and non-Western music traditions.
Cooperations with numerous international labels has also been expanded, such as american clavé, NYC Records, B&W, Go Jazz, ellipsis arts and the Relaxation Company.

2000–2002: Integration with Schott Music

In 2000, INTUITION became part of Schott Music & Media, merging with the well-known classical label Wergo. This allowed Intuition to expand its operations while preserving its curatorial independence. By 2002, the headquarters moved to Mainz, where it remains today.

The connection to Schott Music enabled deeper connections to the classical and contemporary music world, bringing a more structured publishing infrastructure and broader international reach.

2002–Today: Refinement, Diversity, and Documentary Branches

In the years since, Intuition has sharpened its focus on genre-blending music that highlights not only technical skill, but also deep emotional narratives. It has introduced sub-labels like:

• European Jazz Legends – featuring historically significant artists such as Albert Mangelsdorff, John Taylor, and Günter Sommer.
• INTUITION Documentary – offering spoken-word and audio documentary productions, further emphasizing the label’s multidisciplinary engagement.
• INTUITION Master Series – A collector’s dream for lovers of jazz, classical & world music, the Master Series brings legendary recordings back to life on 180gr vinyl.

At the same time, the label continues to publish modern jazz and fusion projects that reflect today’s cross-cultural musical landscape