Daily Dose Of Jazz…

David Joseph Shepherd was born February 7, 1929 in Walthamstow, London, England to Joseph Shepherd, a semi-professional piano player and gas company employee. He began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16 in 1945. He studied under a clarinetist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg, Germany after World War II. Upon his return to England in 1950 he played with Reg Rigden, Joe Daniels and his Hotshots, and Freddy Randall to the middle of the decade.

He played with Billie Holiday and Gerry Mulligan on their British tours. He played in New York City in 1956 with Ted Kotick, then returned to England to play with the Jazz Today Unit and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic. He also played with Mary Lou Williams several times during the 1950s.

The 1960s and 1970s saw Dave playing with Randall again and with Teddy Wilson, at the Montreux Jazz Festival and in South Africa. During this period he was heard a lot more with his quartet on BBC Radio 2’s Jimmy Young programme as well as Round Midnight, Breakfast Special, and Music While You Work.

Centered in the UK found him working regularly with trombone player Roy Williams, Len Skeat and many more. He was a frequent guest with his line up called The Dave Shepherd Quintet on BBC Radio 1’s Sounds of Jazz. He based his style on Benny Goodman and was praised for his accuracy and unfailing swing and a quality of musical elegance.

He performed with Peter Boizot’s Pizza Express All Stars Band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club from 1980 to 1999. He led several of his own bands and has done extensive work producing music for film and television. Shepherd continued to solo and make guest appearances until shortly before his death.

Clarinetist Dave Shepherd, who was described by fellow jazz musician Digby Fairweather as Britain’s greatest swing clarinettist since 1948, on December 15, 2016 in Hampshire, England.

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