Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman & Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim
Two acclaimed NYC-based artists with Bay Area roots return west for an intimate quartet performance featuring Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman on piano and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim on vocals. Despite the genre hint of "classical," this promises to be a sophisticated jazz evening showcasing two rising stars who've earned recognition on the highest stages.
Gabriel, a Steinway & Sons teacher and Manhattan School of Music graduate, brings a repertoire that honors jazz piano masters like Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington with what sources describe as performances that are "both soulful and hard-hitting." The Brooklyn-based pianist has appeared twice at Carnegie Hall and performs regularly at top NYC venues including The Django, Ornithology, and Zinc Bar. He also incorporates storytelling into his performances and composes across genres including gospel, reggae, hip-hop, and Latin traditions.
Joining him is award-winning vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, winner of the 2021 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz Competition. The first-generation American with German and Mozambican heritage blends global musical influences with sophisticated jazz traditions, emphasizing healing and collective identity in her powerful vocal performances. Gabriel and Tawanda have previously toured together internationally, including performances in Norway and Iceland.
The quartet will likely include Gabriel's identical twin brother Eytan on bass (a Juilliard graduate who's performed at venues from Blue Note NYC to SFJAZZ) and saxophonist Langston Hughes II, described as "one of the most compelling young voices in jazz today" with a "soulful, expressive, and rhythmically driven" sound that creates "high-energy performances full of passion, beauty, and joy." Hughes has toured with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Expect a blend of original compositions, jazz standards, and innovative arrangements that showcase both the technical mastery and emotional depth these young artists bring to the tradition. With Gabriel's cross-genre influences and Tawanda's world music fusion approach, this performance promises sophisticated jazz with global touches and compelling storytelling elements.