Tumaini Sango Trio – Jazz Trio

Tumaini Sango (b. 2001) is a classical and jazz pianist from Allendale, Michigan. He took his first piano lessons at the age of six. Fast forward to the present, Tumaini has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for music through performances, recordings, and teaching.

Tumaini's performances have been recognized in festivals and piano competitions throughout the Midwest. Most recently, he was a finalist in the 2025 Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Previous accolades include being a finalist in the 2022 Robert B. Beardsley Memorial Piano Prize Competition and winning two piano concerto competitions in 2018 (St. Cecilia Philharmonic & Grand Rapids Youth Symphony), earning him two performances of Beethoven's 2^nd Piano Concerto at St. Cecilia Music Center and Devos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A seasoned accompanist, Tumaini has worked with a wide variety of wind, brass, string, and voice students for festivals, collegiate juries, and recitals. Additionally, he has accompanied musical productions, ballet classes, and improv-comedy shows. Tumaini regularly plays in weddings & local churches and has given presentations at assisted living centers, elementary schools, and homeschool cooperatives. Most notably, Tumaini performed and arranged a version of the National Anthem sung at Grand Valley State University’s Convocation and Commencement ceremonies.

In June 2023, Tumaini released his first jazz album entitled “2755” with the Sango Quartet, a group he formed with colleagues from Grand Valley State University. In October 2025, Tumaini released his second jazz album “KASE” with his organ quartet called the KASE Quartet. This self-titled record was made in collaboration with his colleagues from Bowling Green State University.

Tumaini completed his undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University in December 2022 with a B.M. in Piano Performance and a minor in Political Science, studying with Dr. Helen Marlais and Prof. Michael Drost. Tumaini graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Master’s in Piano Performance and Jazz Studies in May 2026, studying with Dr. Robert Satterlee and Prof. Ariel Kasler. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Musical Arts (Piano Performance & Pedagogy) at the University of Oklahoma, where he studies with Dr. Igor Lipinski.

Tumaini’s parents immigrated to the United States from Kenya. He was born in the U.S., along with his two younger sisters. His name is given from the language Swahili, and it means “Hope” in English. Tumaini currently resides in Norman, Oklahoma. To learn more about Tumaini, feel free to visit his website or his YouTube channel.