THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field
Presents
A Rome Neal Banana Puddin’ Jazz Production
Salutes
Leonieke
& The Midnight Special Quartet
Live at Theater for the New City
Monday, March 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20 General Admission
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions
Special Treat: Complimentary Banana Puddin’ for all attendees 🍌
Acclaimed Hammond organist Leonieke leads The Midnight Special Quartet in an electrifying performance celebrating the tradition and future of organ jazz.
The quartet features:
Leonieke – Hammond organ
Nick Scheuble – drums
Eric Person – saxophone
Bill DeVos – guitar
About Leonieke
Hammond organist Leonieke (pronounced lay-o-nee-ka) is one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary jazz.
Her musical journey began remarkably early. When legendary jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith saw a video of Leonieke playing piano, he remarked, “You’ve been here before!” Learning of her interest in the organ, Smith sent her a Hammond organ as a gift. Leonieke was just 10 years old.
By age 11, she had already:
Won an International Women in Jazz Award
Performed a one-hour feature on WBGO
Recorded with legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder
Played alongside Miles Davis drummer Jimmy Cobb
Leonieke went on to win additional honors including a second International Women in Jazz Award, the New Jersey Governor’s Award, and the Hot House Fan Decision Award for Best Up and Coming Young Artist. She is also a TEDx speaker and guest lecturer in music.
In 2022, Leonieke signed an agreement with Hammond/Suzuki, becoming an official Hammond Artist—a distinction awarded to only a select group of musicians worldwide.
From April to June 2025, Leonieke led her band “Leonieke & the New York Groove” representing the United States at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan (EXPO 2025).
She continues to perform extensively throughout New York and beyond as both a bandleader and sideman, and leads a trio with legendary bassist Bill Crow titled “The 3 Generations of Jazz Trio,” recently featured in the documentary Bill Crow: Jazz Journeyman.
About the Artists
Bill DeVos – Guitar
Acclaimed guitarist Bill (Bob) DeVos is widely respected for his sophisticated bebop style and blues-infused melodic lines. With more than 50 years of performance experience, DeVos has recorded and performed with organ-jazz legends including Trudy Pitts, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Sonny Stitt, Jimmy McGriff, Hank Crawford, and Charles Earland.
He has also worked with an extraordinary roster of jazz greats including Pepper Adams, Joey DeFrancesco, Billy Hart, Stanley Turrentine, Pat Martino, and Etta Jones. As a leader, his recordings for HighNote/Savant Records have received critical acclaim and strong national jazz radio airplay.
DeVos continues to perform internationally and has appeared at renowned venues including The Blue Note, Birdland, SMOKE, The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, and major jazz festivals worldwide.
Eric Person – Saxophone
Renowned saxophonist Eric Person has built a distinguished career performing and recording with legendary musicians including Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner, Chico Hamilton, John Hicks, and Houston Person.
A versatile artist, Person has also collaborated with boundary-pushing musicians such as Vernon Reid, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Will Calhoun, and Ben Harper. He leads several ensembles including the Eric Person Quartet, Trio-kinesis, Eric Person Big Band, and Person2Person.
Person is also a prolific composer with eleven albums as a bandleader, including his 2022 release Blue Vision.
Nick Scheuble – Drums
Drummer and percussionist Nick Scheuble has established a reputation as both a first-rate jazz drummer and accomplished Latin percussionist. His extensive career includes performances and recordings with an impressive list of artists across multiple genres, as well as collaborations with respected specialists in early New Orleans jazz.
Scheuble cites Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams among his primary drumming influences. A trained pianist as well, he also draws inspiration from artists such as Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Billie Holiday. These influences shape a musical approach that is both compositional and melodic, grounded in the rhythmic and conceptual traditions of bebop and post-bop.
Following his graduation in 1991, Scheuble launched a distinguished career as both a sideman and bandleader. Over the years he has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of artists including Wynton Marsalis, Ray Barretto, Dave Valentin, Chico Mendoza, David Berger, Peter Bernstein, Jim Rotondi, Bill Crow, Vince Giordano, Mike LeDonne, Hilton Ruiz, Jeanie Bryson, Tim Ries, Jimmy Bosch, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Braden, and Eric Alexander.
Scheuble has been recorded by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder and has performed at renowned venues including Birdland, Minton’s Playhouse, the Stanley Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center, The Village Gate, The Kitano, Café de Muze (Belgium), Aaron Davis Hall, Walter Reade Theatre, Mechanics Hall, and many other notable venues across North America, Europe, and Central Asia.
About Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz
Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz, produced by acclaimed director, actor, and vocalist Rome Neal, is celebrating 23 years as one of New York City’s most beloved jazz series.
An award-winning and long-running cultural event, Banana Puddin’ Jazz blends live music, community spirit, and audience interaction while honoring the rich legacy of Black theatre and jazz. Each show concludes with an open mic session, a Banana Puddin’ Jazz poem, and a serving of Rome Neal’s famous complimentary banana pudding for the audience.
Originally launched at the historic Nuyorican Poets Cafe in 2003, the series has become a cherished monthly gathering featuring world-renowned musicians, vocalists, poets, and special guests.
The program also presents the prestigious Rome Neal Shekere Award, which has honored numerous influential artists and cultural leaders—many of whom are now remembered as beloved ancestors of the jazz and arts community.
Through its unique blend of performance, storytelling, and hospitality, Banana Puddin’ Jazz continues to celebrate the living legacy of jazz while bringing artists and audiences together in a joyful, communal experience.
