Pianist Gary Schunk / Photo by John Osler

Award-winning pianist and composer, Gary Schunk, has been one of Detroit’s premiere Jazz artists for more than four decades. He brings his talents to the Dirty Dog this week from Wednesday 2/15 thru Saturday, 2/18.

What Schunk brings to the music is a complete package of skills and abilities that come together to make a flawless and enriching performance. These include his playing ability that allows him to have the tools to express his creative, musical ideas in interesting and artful ways. He is able to communicate the emotional and structural aspects of the music to the audience – thus enhancing their live musical experience. That’s what seasoned, true artists can do.

He is a creative improviser due partly to his Classical and Jazz music theory training and his composition talents. He is also equally proficient in many different styles of music from Blues and Bebop to Soul, Fusion and Electronic. He performs and records with his Electric Jazz Trio as well as an acoustic one and plays both electric and acoustic keyboards as well as organ, and synthesizers.

The Gary Schunk Trio at the Dirty Dog / Photo by John Osler

Based primarily in his hometown of Detroit, the Classically trained Schunk received his B.A. in Piano Performance from Michigan State University in 1975. He then studied privately with the celebrated European classical pianist, Gyorgy Sandor. He also studied organ, piano, and choral music at the Palestrina Institute of Ecclesiastical Music, in Detroit, from 1965 to 1970.

Well versed in many genres, he has not only been featured with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, but has played at every Detroit Jazz Festival since its inception in 1980!

In an interview conducted by broadcaster Nkenge Zola, the late Detroit trumpet master, Marcus Belgrave, said that “Gary Schunk is probably one of the greatest pianists around, because he can do it all. He’s really studied the music, and every aspect of it; he doesn’t shirk any responsibilities of the music….he keeps me on my toes”.

Gary Schunk performing on the Dirty Dog’s Steinway Grand / photo by John Osler

Schunk has several Jazz recordings out that feature many of his own compositions. His latest album, Kayak, is on Detroit Music Factory records, and features bassist, Ray Parker, and acclaimed drummer/composer Peter Erskine.

Over the course of his career, Gary has toured, played and/or recorded with a diverse list of top name artists including Joe Williams, Earl Klugh, Kenny Burrell, Anita O’Day, Sonny Stitt, Donna Summer, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, George Clinton and the Funkadelic and many more. As an in-demand studio musician he’s plays a multitude of genres from Gospel, Country, Funk and Motown to Broadway Theater, Classical, Film music and more.

Treat yourself to a musically rich evening of piano Jazz with the Gary Schunk Trio, performing through Saturday, February 18 at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe. For more information and reservations, call 313-882-5299.

Detroit Public Radio mainstay, Judy Adams, is a trained pianist, composer and musicologist who hosts a Jazz and contemporary music show on CJAM 99.1FM and guest hosts on WRCJ 90.9FM.