Christian Schonberg

As child, all that Christian knew was Music. A Profusion of music. Christian sang before he could talk, when he was 3 years of age. Then he entered his first competition ever. Consequentially came the music school for 7 years followed by the Boys Choir for 10 years.

Christian spent a great number of years in music school with as series of strict piano teachers. He always found the will and fortitude to keep going. The love of music within him has been always the dominant power in his life. He realised this quite early (that music was his calling) and this has materialised itself by attending the Tallinn Georg Ots Music High School (Estonia), where he specialised in choral conducting. The fascination with classical music styles of Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt (to name but a few) remain etched in his brain and serves until this very day as his inspiration source when he goes about to arrange a piece of music.

After college Christian has been admitted to the Tallinn Theatre and Music Academy (Estonia). The following 2 years in the academy helped Christian realise that having to perform exactly what’s written – or as Leonard Bernstein called it: “Exact Music” - is not his heart’s true calling. He needed a place for improvising. He needed a place for his own interpretation and take on pieces of music. He needed his musical freedom.

That led to Christian being exposed to the music of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, after one of his acquaintances bought a CD with their music. The rest followed. Christian listened to it by “coincidence”. Then he was hooked. Sinatra’s “Sunny side of the Street” was the angler. His fascination with Vocal Jazz grew after listening to the works of Nat “King” Cole, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and the likes.

After that, going to the jazz department of Tartu University was a natural step. Christian’s impressed a Teacher at the jazz department with his natural born ability to improvise. He chorally sang a tune he just heard & played with the chords, after Listening to Chet Baker. This quickly led to listening to Chet Baker, Nancy Wilson, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Kurt Elling & Gregory Porter.

Christian started appearing with various with jazz combos all over Europe, ranging from sitting in jam sessions in little clubs in Amsterdam, to performing around Europe in the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Latvia, Lithuania, France and Finland to Big band concerts in Amsterdam and Estonia. Christian has a number of upcoming concerts in Japan coming up.

Was fortunate enough to take part in “IASJ” Meeting (International Association of Schools of Jazz) led by famous sax player Dave Liebman in the summer of 2013. This in turn yielded musical connections with up and coming European musicians.

Christian was invited to continue his studies both at the Amsterdam and Hague Conservatories. He chose for Amsterdam, where he’s completing his Bachelor degree, and planning to continue and pursue a Masters in Performance Degree in 2017. Christian is also on the brink of commencing a music teacher career.

Christian Schönberg becomes alive when singing and performing. Nothing makes him happier then to dress up for the occasion, go to and on stage, perform songs and lift people spirits up. He simply loves singing to people.

Awards

Competitions, Awards, And Other Noteworthy Events: • 2015 December - Darmon Meader Workshop (Amsterdam) • 2014 December – Finalist @ International competition for jazz vocalists - Klaipeda (Lithuania) • 2014 January - Ronald Douglas Workshop (Amsterdam) • 2013 summer – “IASJ” Meeting International Association Schools of Jazz (Aarhus, Denmark) • 2012 December - Kurt Elling Master Class (Talinn, Estonia)