About the “3 Generations of Jazz Trio”
Leonieke
(Pronounced “lay-o-nee-ka”) When Dr. Lonnie Smith, one of the world’s most famous jazz organists of all time was shown a clip of Leonieke playing piano, he said, “you’ve been here before!” When told of her interest in organ, he sent her a Hammond organ as a gift - she was just 10 years old. By age 11, she would win an award from the International Women in Jazz, do an hour long feature over radio station WBGO, and be recorded by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder along with Miles Davis’ drummer, Jimmy Cobb. In the years to follow, Leonieke would go on to win a second International Women in Jazz award, the New Jersey Governor’s award and her most prestigious award to date, the Hot house Fan Decision Award for “Best Up and Coming Young Artist.” Leonieke has also become a guest lecturer of music and a TEDx speaker. In July 2022, Leonieke signed an agreement with the Hammond Organ Company becoming a Hammond Artist, a relationship that is bestowed upon very few. In February 2024, Leonieke performed as the pianist with the Russell Malone Quartet for a special 2 day celebration at Shanghai Jazz. She continues to be featured in numerous publications, and leads The 3 Generations of Jazz Trio you’ll hear tonight with legendary bassist Bill Crow. The group was recently featured in the Neal Minor documentary entitled “Bill Crow: Jazz Journeyman.” Leonieke is a frequent artist for the New Jersey Jazz Society and maintains an extensive performance schedule.
Bill Crow has enjoyed a long jazz career, playing as a member of bands led by Stan Getz, Claude Thornhill, Terry Gibbs, Marian McPartland, Jimmy McPartland, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Bob Brookmeyer and Clark Terry, J. J. Johnson, and has made individual appearances with Dave Lambert, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Art Baron and the Duke’s Men, and many more. He has recorded extensively with most of these bands, and with many others. He has also played for several hit Broadway shows, including The King and I, On the Twentieth Century, and 42ND Street. Bill has also written two books about jazz, “Jazz Anecdotes” and “From Birdland to Broadway,” both published by Oxford University Press.
Nick Scheuble has performed with Classical and Jazz Grammy winner, Wynton Marsalis, as well many of the world's greatest jazz musicians. He has remained Grammy-nominee, Chico Mendoza's percussionist for over 30 years. Recently completing a US Embassy tour of Uzbekistan (April & May 2022) and before that, Moldova (2019), Nick has also performed at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Village Gate, Café de Muze (Belgium), Aaron Davis Hall, John Harms Center, Mechanics Hall, and other noted venues throughout North America, Eastern and Western Europe and Central Asia.
Happy Hour from 4:30 - 6:00 with half price beers, select wines and dim sum offerings. No music charge, $25 food & drink minimum. Music begins at 7:00, reservations recommended.