The Scheuble Family in concert at the Watchung Arts Center

The Watchung Arts Center presents a special jazz performance, on Saturday, April 7 at 8 PM, featuring jazz piano prodigy Leonieke Scheuble and her vocalist sister Natasha, joined by their father, drummer Nick Scheuble, along with bassist Tim Givens. Leonieke has appeared previously at the WAC on several oocasions, most recently in the April 2017 "Let Us Entertain You" variety show; Nick Scheuble has also appeared at the WAC, as the drummer for Amani, and accompanying other jazz artists. Members of Amani will also be performing. The concert will be followed by a dessert reception with an opportunity to meet the performers.

Leonieke Scheuble (pronounced “Lay-o-nee-ka”) was just 10 years old when jazz great Dr. Lonnie Smith was shown a clip of her playing piano and gifted her with a Hammond organ. Three years later, she would go on to win “Best Up and Coming Young Artist” at the 2015 Hot House Fan Decision Awards. A recipient of the 2017 Governor’s Award for “Exceptional Promise in Music” as well as two International Women in Jazz awards, Leonieke is also a TED speaker. Her first of two CDs “Debut” (2013), was recorded by Rudy van Gelder and features Jimmy Cobb.

Natasha Scheuble, an Opera major in her junior year at SUNY Purchase, was a first violinist with the Northern New Jersey Youth Orchestra and a ballet student of Warren Lynch,-former principal dancer of the Boston Ballet. In late 2013, Natasha was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder and her rendition of “Cry Me a River” has been warmly received by its composer, Arthur Hamilton. Natasha went on to win the 2014 International Women in Jazz “Youth in Action” award as a vocalist. Aside from her Operatic roles in college, Natasha has been a featured jazz vocalist at many NY/NJ venues including Trumpets, Shanghai Jazz, DiMenna Center and Symphony Space. She has also sung at NJPAC and The Grand Ole Opry.

Since graduating from William Paterson University in 1991 with a degree in Jazz Studies and performance, drummer Nick Scheuble has performed and/or recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Ray Barretto, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Dave Valentin, Steve Turre, Jeanie Bryson, Chico Mendoza, David Berger, Peter Bernstein, The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, and Eric Alexander. Nick has 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 Europe.

Tim Givens relocated from California to New York in 1988. Among his musical associates over the years have been Lou Donaldson, Richie Cole, Curtis Fuller and Ray Bryant. His outstanding bass work has been featured on two of Cecilia Coleman’s earlier recordings: Images (by her quintet) and Pearl (by her trio). Tim can also be heard on several albums by the group known as New York Electric Piano, as well as on a recent CD by vocalist Tina May.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 ($20 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. Ticket may also be purchased by mail (include an email address with mail orders) or in person during WAC office hours.

The Watchung Arts Center, located at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung on the Watchung Circle, is a multi-disciplinary arts facility serving Watchung, the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area. To obtain more information about upcoming performances, classes and workshops, and monthly art exhibitions, please visit WatchungArts.org or call 908-753-0190.