Ensemble Barynya
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building, Room 102
The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya - established in the year 1991 in New York City - is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, Russian Embassy in Washington D.C., and many other venues.
Any additional information for this event can be found at
2026-2027 Season
Ensemble Barynya
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building, Room 102
The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya - established in the year 1991 in New York City - is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, Russian Embassy in Washington D.C., and many other venues.
Additional information for this event can be found at .
Sachal Vasandani, jazz vocalist
with the John Toomey Trio
Monday, April 19, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center
"A bright young singer with charisma to spare." - the New York Times
Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of the most compelling artists on the scene today. ?Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands, and the vulnerability to present definitive takes of classic ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across lyrics, melodic changes and time signatures is always soulful, and he has come to be regarded as one of the eminent vocal improvisers of his generation.
Sachal's 2022 release with pianist Romain Collin, Still Life (Edition Records), reworked classic and modern songs interspersed with spellbinding and memorable originals. It features up-close and personal re-workings of classics by outstanding songwriters Billie Eilish, Paul Simon, Sam Smith, Peter Gabriel, and others, alongside unforgettable originals. The recording follows his 2021 release, Midnight Shelter, with Romain Collin also on Edition Records.
His 2018 release, Shadow Train (GSI), celebrates twin themes of romance and respect with an open spirit. Songs like Abbey Lincoln鈥檚 鈥淭hrow it Away鈥 highlight this: Sachal鈥檚 performance is equal parts virility and empathy. The Nat 鈥淜ing鈥 Cole classic, Unforgettable, is honored with a spare, haunting style, and is revered by listeners with millions of streams across platforms since its release.
Shadow Train is also a showcase of intuitive, organic musicianship at the highest level. Never stifled by tradition, Eric Harland (drums), Taylor Eigsti (piano), Nir Felder (guitar), Dayna Stephens (sax), and Reuben Rogers (bass), focus their collective energy, seducing and enlightening listeners at the same time.
Sachal鈥檚 groundbreaking 2015 release, Slow Motion Miracles, (produced by Steely Dan鈥檚 Michael Leonhart for Sony/OKeh), highlights his original compositions - fantastic melodies in a fresh style inflected with popular music. He has recorded three albums as a leader on the Mack Avenue label; his 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Hi-Fly was produced by John Clayton and features vocal legend Jon Hendricks.
Sachal has performed to enthusiastic audiences at all major festivals, theaters, and clubs across the world. He performs with artists of all styles, and has sung alongside musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Natalia LaFourcade and Michael Feinstein. He is also an in-demand lyricist and composer and has collaborated with artists across genres; his singing and writing was featured on Gerald Clayton鈥檚 Grammy-nominated album, Life Forum (2013).
A preeminent educator, Sachal bridges a strong technical foundation and disciplined, immersive jazz study with a fundamentally open spirit. Through his workshops, classes, and lessons at multiple institutions around the globe, he has honed a style of teaching that is as encouraging as it is thorough.
Additional information for this event can be found at .
Jazz Residency Schedule
Thursday, April 15
鈥 3:00 p.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 4:30 p.m. Open rehearsal with 黑料不打烊 Jazz Orchestra. Chandler Recital Hall
Friday, April 16
鈥 10:00 a.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 1:00 p.m. Open rehearsal with 黑料不打烊 Jazz Choir, Chandler Hall
Sunday, April 18
鈥 4:00 p.m. Concert, 黑料不打烊 Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo and Jazz Choir, Chandler Hall
Monday, April 19
鈥 1:00 p.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 7:30 p.m. Concert with John Toomey Trio, Chandler Hall
Ensemble Barynya
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building, Room 102
The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya - established in the year 1991 in New York City - is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, Russian Embassy in Washington D.C., and many other venues.
Additional information for this event can be found at .
Sachal Vasandani, jazz vocalist
with the John Toomey Trio
Monday, April 19, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center
"A bright young singer with charisma to spare." - the New York Times
Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of the most compelling artists on the scene today. ?Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands, and the vulnerability to present definitive takes of classic ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across lyrics, melodic changes and time signatures is always soulful, and he has come to be regarded as one of the eminent vocal improvisers of his generation.
Sachal's 2022 release with pianist Romain Collin, Still Life (Edition Records), reworked classic and modern songs interspersed with spellbinding and memorable originals. It features up-close and personal re-workings of classics by outstanding songwriters Billie Eilish, Paul Simon, Sam Smith, Peter Gabriel, and others, alongside unforgettable originals. The recording follows his 2021 release, Midnight Shelter, with Romain Collin also on Edition Records.
His 2018 release, Shadow Train (GSI), celebrates twin themes of romance and respect with an open spirit. Songs like Abbey Lincoln鈥檚 鈥淭hrow it Away鈥 highlight this: Sachal鈥檚 performance is equal parts virility and empathy. The Nat 鈥淜ing鈥 Cole classic, Unforgettable, is honored with a spare, haunting style, and is revered by listeners with millions of streams across platforms since its release.
Shadow Train is also a showcase of intuitive, organic musicianship at the highest level. Never stifled by tradition, Eric Harland (drums), Taylor Eigsti (piano), Nir Felder (guitar), Dayna Stephens (sax), and Reuben Rogers (bass), focus their collective energy, seducing and enlightening listeners at the same time.
Sachal鈥檚 groundbreaking 2015 release, Slow Motion Miracles, (produced by Steely Dan鈥檚 Michael Leonhart for Sony/OKeh), highlights his original compositions - fantastic melodies in a fresh style inflected with popular music. He has recorded three albums as a leader on the Mack Avenue label; his 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Hi-Fly was produced by John Clayton and features vocal legend Jon Hendricks.
Sachal has performed to enthusiastic audiences at all major festivals, theaters, and clubs across the world. He performs with artists of all styles, and has sung alongside musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Natalia LaFourcade and Michael Feinstein. He is also an in-demand lyricist and composer and has collaborated with artists across genres; his singing and writing was featured on Gerald Clayton鈥檚 Grammy-nominated album, Life Forum (2013).
A preeminent educator, Sachal bridges a strong technical foundation and disciplined, immersive jazz study with a fundamentally open spirit. Through his workshops, classes, and lessons at multiple institutions around the globe, he has honed a style of teaching that is as encouraging as it is thorough.
Additional information for this event can be found at .
Jazz Residency Schedule
Thursday, April 15
鈥 3:00 p.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 4:30 p.m. Open rehearsal with 黑料不打烊 Jazz Orchestra. Chandler Recital Hall
Friday, April 16
鈥 10:00 a.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 1:00 p.m. Open rehearsal with 黑料不打烊 Jazz Choir, Chandler Hall
Sunday, April 18
鈥 4:00 p.m. Concert, 黑料不打烊 Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo and Jazz Choir, Chandler Hall
Monday, April 19
鈥 1:00 p.m. Clinic, Diehn 1201
鈥 7:30 p.m. Concert with John Toomey Trio, Chandler Hall
About the F. Ludwig Diehn Concert Series
The F. Ludwig Diehn Concert Series is made possible by an endowment established by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and a generous gift from F. Ludwig Diehn. Concerts in this series bring significant classical and jazz musicians to Hampton Roads.
Explore F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music Programs
The Diehn School of Music consists of award-winning faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields.