Sebastian Schunke
Biography Sebastian Schunke
Sebastian Schunke was born in 1973 and began learning classical piano when he was six. His main influences in the early stages were Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin and Debussy. At the age of 12 he began studying Latin jazz as well, being influenced initially by Eddie Palmieri and later by Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chick Corea and Danilo Perez. In 1996 aged 22 Sebastian Schunke made the move to New York, where he experienced for the first time the tremendous energy and spirit of the city. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin.
Sebastian dived into the New York Latin Jazz scene. His compositions caught the attention of renowned musicians like John Benitez, Antonio Sanchez, Richie Flores, Dafnis Prieto, Yosvany Terry and Peter Brainin, with whom he recorded his debut CD Symbiosis in New York (Pimienta/Universal 2003). Electronic and singing Elements as well as strings getting embodied in the musical concept and lead to the recording of the second Album mouvement in 2004 (Timba/BMG) with a large orchestral ensemble featuring international renown artists like Felipe Cabrera on bass; Mario Morejon on trumpet, Lukmil Perez on drums. In 2007 Sebastian released his third CD "Vida Pura" featuring the Cuban singer Olvido. Finally, it was a great honor for Sebastian to record his fourth CD "Back in New York" with Paquito d Rivera, Antonio Sanchez, John Benitez, Pernell Saturnino and Anders Nilsson, which was released in 2008. Since 2002 Sebastian Schunke is performing his music with different Projects with great succes ll over the wolrd. He played on festivals and in renowned clubs in Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Laos, China, USA, Malta, Turkey, the Netherlands, Latvia, Luxemburg, Italy and Germany. It was a great honor for Sebastian to accompany the German President in 2004 as the official cultural embassador on his trip to Africa.
Besides playing and composing Sebastian is teaching at the Conservatory of Music "Hanns Eisler", Berlin and the Humboldt- University, Berlin. in 2004, 2006 and 2008 he received the Berlin Jazz Award and he received several international Top Ten nominations for the CDs. ..
