Sunni Leilani with John Swana & Chuck Staab

We will be extending a warm Sound Lounge welcome to Sunni Leilani, John Swana and Chuck Staab on Thursday 17th October.

Sunni Leilani is a folk musician who collects, shares, documents, testifies and communicates with indigenous peoples. From her experiences and travels, she drew the double album “Ancient Love Story ”, co-written with the American jazz musician John Swana, who accompanies her on stage. She has been on her ongoing Ancient Love Story Tour & Journey since March 2020. A journey on the rivers of music and love.

John Swana was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia where he took up the trumpet at the age of 11. Later on he learned the Valve Trombone, and the EVI (Electric Valve Instrument). He was drawn to jazz at the age of 17 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie, and the interest developed into a passion while he was in college. Swana has recorded and/or performed with: Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Chris McBride, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, Benny Golson, Kenny Barron, Shirley Scott, Joey DeFrancesco, Mickey Roker, Jimmy Cobb, Tito Puente, John Scofield, Lockjaw Davis, Clark Terry, Tom Harrell, Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Stanley Turrentine, Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, Uri Caine, Peter Bernstein, and Ralph Bowen.

Chuck Staab is a drummer, composer, and educator originally from Ocean City, NJ. He attended Princeton University where he studied with Dr. Anthony Branker, Zakir Hussain, and Paul Lansky. He has studied privately with Jeff Ballard and Ralph Peterson Jr. Since 2008 he has toured extensively with Universal Music recording artist Melody Gardot as drummer and musical director. He has performed and recorded with Federico Aubele, Arum Rae, Denison Witmer, Pierre Aderne, and Phil Roy. He continues to perform and record internationally.