Leonieke (phonetically pronounced “lay-o-nee-ka")
When Dr. Lonnie Smith, (one of the 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 also became a TEDx speaker. Just the past July 2022, Leonieke signed an agreement with the Hammond organ company becoming a Hammond Artist!, a relationship that is bestowed upon very few.
Leonieke continues to be featured in numerous publications, and leads a jazz trio with the legendary bassist, Bill Crow. Their group, "The Generations of Jazz Trio," 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.
Tomoko Ohno was born in Tokyo and began piano studies at the age of 4. As a teenager, she began playing professionally in the Tokyo area jazz scene. After graduating from Rikkyo University in Law and Politics, Miss Ohno moved to the United States and entered the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where she studied with Harold Mabern and Rufus Reid. During this time she had the opportunity to perform with such artists as Jerome Richardson, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson and Joe Henderson. An established pianist in the jazz scene in NYC. She has been performing with Slide Hampton, Rufus Reid, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band, and is the main pianist for Diva Jazz Orchestra. Ms. Ohno has also released albums as a leader in Japan, U.S., and Argentina.
Nick Scheuble has performed with Classical and Jazz Grammy winner, Wynton Marsalis, as well many of the world's greatest jazz musicians. He is also Grammy nominee, Chico Mendoza's percussionist for over 25 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 America and Eastern and Western Europe and Central Asia.
Leslie J. “Chuggy” Carter is a noted American percussionist who was born and raised in Harlem, New York City. Early jobs in a rehearsal studio, as a roadie, and in a music store convinced Chuggy that a musical life would be his career. He was very fortunate to have had Papo Daddiego as his teacher and mentor. Chuggy’s drumming style is greatly influenced by Afro-Cuban and Brazilian traditions, as well as many other world rhythms. He has made contributions to many types of music, including soul, jazz, funk, gospel, salsa, samba, and rock ‘n’ roll. Chuggy has also worked on film and television scores. In addition to recording, live performances have taken Chuggy to England, France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Japan, Canada, The Bahamas and other Caribbean islands, and throughout the United States. He counts among his most memorable performances his shows with Donny Hathaway at Carnegie Hall during the Newport Jazz Festival, and those with Patti Labelle at the Metropolitan Opera House.