In 2008, Sebastian Schunke continues in position as a leading talent in the international Jazz scene with his new addictive CD „Back in New York“ and magnificent concerts in Laos, San Francisco, Colombia, China and Europe

After the international press had celebrated the CD „Vida Pura“ with great enthusiasm and the Sebastian Schunke Group had presented the CD to an enthusiastic crowd on several festivals, jazz clubs and concert halls  around the globe in 2007, Schunke did not hesitate to take the next step in 2008. 9 time Grammy Award Winner Paquito d´Rivera was thrilled by the compositional stile of Sebastian and was keen on recording Sebastian compositions. For Sebastian Schunke this honor and respect of one of the leading Jazz Personalities of the world confirms Sebastian´s exclusive qualities as a composer and pianist.

Besides Paquito several Grammy Award Winning musicians like Antonio Sanchez on drums and John Benitez on bass, good friends from his time in New York joined the band for the thrilling recording session as well as percussionist Pernell Saturnino and guitarist Anders Nilsson. The CD will be released in Octobre 2008 (connector 2008).

On this new release “Back in New York” his compositions are changing: he opens up the harmonic and the compositional structure of the songs. He keeps his music fresh and leads the music to a hip experimental world jazz – totally new and unpredictably – with Paquito´s clarinet singing in a spectacular manner – and the band gives a great brew underneath – modern, sensitive and energetic at the same time – a full enjoyment! The recording was enabled by his visionary producer and publisher Detlef Engelhard, Termidor Musikverlag.

Sebastian Schunke already toured with his band to Laos, Malta and San Francisco presenting the new tunes to an overwhelmed crowed. In Laos 1000 fans were blended and deeply touched by the brilliant performance of the Schunke group at the Vientiane Concert Hall.

After 2005, 2006 and 2007 the band played again great performances in Colombia and China. Thousands of Colombians and Chinese again freaked out at Festivals, Concert Halls and Clubs and were deeply touched by the energetic performances of the Schunke Group. In November the band will show the unique compositions in Sebastian´s home country Germany.

„…Schunke´s sound is as eclectic as it is unpredictable“
(That´s Shanghai Magazine, China),

“…Schunke keeps growing. He’s an extraordinary composer, arranger and performer…”
(Latinjazznet-Magazine, Canada)

„… that is what makes music so wonderful, frontiers are turned down and something totally new and fresh can be built up“
(Jazzdimensions, Germany).

“…the music is complex, sophisticated, and superbly crafted…”
(AllAboutJazz, New York)

We would love to see you at the concerts or just enjoy the new CD “Back in New York” (www.amazon.de). We hope that you will feel the same way as Paquito did

“This guy Sebastian Schunke is a very good composer and pianist, he is very good!”

Upcoming concerts:
06.11.2008 Jazztage Leverkusen, Topos, Leverkusen
21.11.2008 Stellwerk, Hamburg
22.11.2008 Pavillon, Hannover
28.11.2008 B-Flat Berlin
04.12. 2008 Dreiraum, Hannover