The Unsung Sinatra: An Intimate House Concert in The Heights

The Unsung Sinatra: A House Concert in The Heights

Tomás Jonsson, Piano
Tomás Jonsson is a pianist and composer based in the Baltimore area, whose work bridges jazz improvisation, classical training, Latin American musical traditions, and the storytelling legacy of the Great American Songbook. Described as “extraordinarily talented” by Houston Public Media, he is known for an expressive style that combines an elegant touch, harmonic imagination, and a deep commitment to musical narrative. He is a 2026 Gilmore Piano Fellow.

Jonsson is a first-prize winner of both the Rubato International Jazz Piano Competition and the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, and a second-prize laureate of the UNISA International Jazz Piano Competition in South Africa. Following his Jacksonville win, he was featured at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

A collaborative artist with a particular affinity for vocal music, Jonsson has performed internationally with singer Dani Toralla at the 2025 and 2026 IGA Guatemala Jazz Festivals as part of their Brazilian jazz project Afina-Dos. His recordings include original releases with trumpeter Benny Benack III and three-time Juno Award–winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy. His mentors include Paul English, Brian Connelly, Dave Meder, and Richard Johnson.

Elijah Thiessen, Vocals
Known for his warm tone and inventive phrasing, Elijah Thiessen is a jazz vocalist, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist from Marshalltown, Iowa. He studies jazz voice at the University of North Texas with Rosana Eckert and Jennifer Barnes.

Thiessen has received seven DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards across multiple categories and has performed at major conferences, including the Jazz Education Network and the American Choral Directors Association. He has appeared with the UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band and currently performs with the UNT Jazz Singers and his jazz a cappella group, Surround Sound.

Gavin Moolchan, Drumset

Gavin Moolchan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After graduating from high school, Gavin studied with Sebastian Whittaker and Daniel Dufour, some of the most notable drummers in the area. He also began his career working as a freelance musician and private instructor covering a wide range of genres. While living in Houston, he has had the opportunity to perform and tour both nationally and internationally with some of Houston’s most respected musicians and groups such as David Caceres, Jalen Baker, Diunna Greenleaf, Stratus, Paul Cornish, and many others. Gavin is an alumnus of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program.

Join us for The Unsung Sinatra, an intimate evening celebrating lesser-known gems from Frank Sinatra’s repertoire. Featuring vocalist Elijah Thiessen and pianist Tomás Jonsson, this salon-style concert explores hidden corners of the Great American Songbook through expressive performances and storytelling.

The evening also celebrates the launch of their upcoming album, The Unsung Sinatra, a recording project dedicated to rediscovering overlooked songs associated with Sinatra and presenting them with fresh interpretations. Enjoy dinner, drinks, great company, and timeless music in a warm house-concert setting in Houston’s Heights neighborhood.

Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:45 PM | Performance begins at 7:15 PM
Location: 1322 Rutland St., Houston, TX 77008

Suggested Donation: $40 per person — proceeds support the musicians and the successful release of The Unsung Sinatra project.

The program will feature selections from the upcoming Unsung Sinatra album, as well as some fresh takes on timeless favorites. Songs performed may include:

I Guess I’ll Have to Dream the Rest
Maybe You’ll Be There
Why Try to Change Me Now?
Should I?
All I Need Is the Girl
Deep in a Dream
The French Foreign Legion

(Program subject to change.)

Frank Sinatra recorded hundreds of songs over the course of his legendary career. While many became timeless standards, a remarkable number of beautiful pieces from the American Songbook remain rarely heard today.

The Unsung Sinatra album is dedicated to rediscovering these overlooked songs. Through thoughtful arrangements and expressive performances, Elijah Thiessen and Tomás Jonsson aim to reveal the depth, poetry, and musical richness of Sinatra’s lesser-known repertoire while honoring the spirit of the original recordings.

The project celebrates the enduring legacy of the Great American Songbook while bringing these hidden gems to new audiences.

🎶 Inspiring Performances
Experience exceptional musicianship up close in an intimate salon-style setting.

🍽️ Potluck Gathering
Bring a dish or bottle to share and contribute to the evening’s communal spirit. Contributions are welcome but not required.

💬 A Personal Touch
Hear stories about Sinatra’s music, the album project, and the rediscovered songs behind the program.

🤝 Community and Connection
Enjoy conversation and connection with fellow music lovers and the artists in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

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