When Dr. Lonnie Smith (one of the most famous jazz organists of all time) was shown a clip of Leonieke Scheuble playing piano, he told her, “You’ve been here before!” When told of her interest in playing organ, he sent her a Hammond organ as a gift. She was just 10 years old.
By age 11, she won an award from the International Women in Jazz and performed an hour-long segment on radio station WBGO. She was even recorded by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder and performing 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.
From April to June 2025, Leonieke led her band Leonieke & the New York Groove, representing the United States of America at the World’s Fair in Japan (OsakaEXPO 2025). In addition, she continues to be featured in numerous publications and leads a Jazz Trio with world-renowned bassist Bill Crow. Their group, the Three Generations of Jazz Trio was recently featured in the Neal Minor documentary entitled Bill Crow: Jazz Journeyman.
Leonieke is a highly sought-after artist among the finest New York Jazz musicians, and maintains an extensive performance schedule as both a sideman and bandleader.
