Hans Schuman
PERFORMS WITH: Metta Quintet
About the Artist
Born in Lansing, Michigan, Hans Schuman began playing drums at the age of 13 while growing up in Tucson, Arizona.After high school, Hans enrolled at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. Upon receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Professional Music from Berklee in 1990, he moved to New York City where he went on to play with distinguished, world renowned artists such as Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Reed, Wynton Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Antonio Hart, Christian McBride, Don Braden, Stefon Harris, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Joshua Redman among many others.
In 1994, with proceeds from the reluctant sale of an inherited Steinway Grand Piano, Schuman founded JazzReach Performing Arts & Education Association, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of jazz music.
With little more than a set of drums, a deep passion for the art form and an inherent desire to share it with young people, Schuman established JazzReach on the premise that:
1.) Music and the arts are essential to a well-rounded education
2.) All young people are entitled access to arts education and high quality arts experiences
3.), A more culturally informed, aware and engaged society is richer, more vital society
Since the premiere of JazzReach’s debut educational program in 1997, Schuman, functioning in multiple administrative and artistic roles, has successfully positioned JazzReach as one of our nation’s leading arts organization’s dedicated to the promotion of jazz and through its educational programs, has triumphantly served over a quarter million young people nationwide in partnership with some of our country’s most distinguished performing arts presenters.
Schuman is also the founding member of JazzReach’s official resident ensemble, METTA QUINTET. The group, featuring some of today’s most notable, emerging jazz stars, released its critically acclaimed debut recording, Going to Meet The Man (Koch) in 2002 which featured eight commissioned works by fast-rising jazz stars Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Larry Goldings and George Colligan. All works were inspired by short stories by celebrated American author, James Baldwin. In July 2006, Sunnyside Records released METTA QUINTET'S second critically praised CD SUBWAY SONGS, which features eight all-original commissioned compositions inspired by the many dynamic facets of the New York City Subway experience.
In early 2012, METTA QUINTET released the critically lauded Big Drum / Small World, a recording of newly commissioned compositions by composers from five different countries that promotes and celebrates the globalization and ever broadening sound and definition of jazz.
Schuman is a proud endorser of Gretsch Drums Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Brushes and Mallets, Evans Drum Heads and both, Protechtor / Gator and Calzone Cases.
