JOHN SHAPELY OCTET & TONI BYRD

John Shapely ~ Saxophone, Justin Golding ~ Alto Saxophone, Frank Briscoe ~ Trumpet, Timmy Markey ~ Trombone, Jordan Thorne ~ Baritone Saxophone, Dallas McCorkendale ~ Keys, Chris Enghauser ~ Bass, Lee Roberts ~ Drums, Toni Byrd ~ Vocals

Since its inception in South Florida in 1994, the John Shapley Octet has grown in popularity among mainstream jazz listeners. The band plays swinging classic jazz arrangements and compositions by Shapley, Bill Dobbins, Rob Lussier, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Quincy Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Pell, Oliver Nelson, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Yellowjackets and others. With it’s beautiful solos and horn section passages, the band has been featured in South Florida at the 1995 Hollywood Jazz Festival, 1996 Riverwalk Sunday Jazz Brunch series, the 2001 Greater Florida Jazz and Swing Club and maintains an active performing schedule in jazz clubs and concert venues in Atlanta, Georgia and throughout the southeast. It is well known for the production of the show  The Essence of Ellington featuring classic transcriptions of genius jazz composer Duke Ellington. In 2003 the John Shapley Octet released two CD’s entitled John Shapley Octet:Essence of Ellington and John Shapley: Jazz Ensembles which attracted attention and  has been sold to listeners all over the United States, Canada, Europe and South America. In 2006 the band relocated it’s home base to Atlanta, Georgia where it continues an active performing and touring schedule. The John Shapley Octet is currently available for bookings in public and private concert venues.