Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Shep Shepherd was born Berisford Shepherd on January 19, 1917 in Honduras while his mother was enroute from the West Indies to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arriving in the city she first settled and raised him in a Jewish neighborhood before moving to a Black neighborhood.

An early fascination with marching bands he drummed on tables and chairs until his mother bought him a toy drum to save wear and tear on the furniture. He attended the Jules E. Mastbaum Area Conservatory and Vocational School where he trained as a percussionist on timpani, vibraphone, xylophone, snare and bass drums. Students were required to have a secondary instrument, and he chose the trombone.

Initially hoping for a career in the Philadelphia Orchestra, he shifted his interest to jazz. He formed a friendship with drummer Jimmy Crawford, who was able to help his career in New York City. During the Thirties performed with Jimmy Gorham’s band in Philadelphia. In 1941, Benny Carter contacted Shep and he moved to New York City, where he also worked with Artie Shaw the same year. He became heavily in demand and the phrase “Get Shep!” became a phrase among area musicians.

Four years in the Army saw him serving in the entertainment corps, and working there he played trombone and improved his skills as a composer and arranger. He met Billy Butlet and in 1952 after his discharge he began working with Butler as part of Bill Doggett’s group. In 1956, Shepherd helped write Doggett’s signature song, Honky Tonk. He left Doggett’s group in 1959 and returned to New York City where he worked in pit orchestras for Broadway shows, and as a music copyist and arranger.

When the nationwide tour of the Broadway show Here’s Love ended, Shepherd found himself in San Francisco, California and he became a freelance musician there. He continued to play drums through the Sixties and Seventies working with Patti Page, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, The Ward Singers, Earl Bostic, Buck Clayton, Odetta, Cab Calloway, Sy Oliver, Big Maybelle, and Erskine Hawkins. At 80 years old, he switched his primary focus from drums to trombone, and with organist Art Harris and drummer Robert Labbe formed the group Blues Fuse.

Drummer, trombonist, vocalist and composer Shep Shepherd, who is listed in The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz and Who’s Who Among Black Americans, transitioned on November 25, 2018 at the age of 101.

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DENNIS ROWLAND & HOPE MORGAN

FIRE! Hope Morgan meets Dennis Rowland

What do you get when you pair legendary male vocalist Dennis Rowland from the Count Basie Orchestra with a female vocalist for whom the City of Austin declared Hope Morgan Day and its Jazz Players and Critics Poll named Best Female Jazz Vocalist? The answer is an afternoon of sensational vocal jazz, filled with energy, scatting, smiles, personality and musicality.

  • Tier 1 Table Seats – $39
  • Tier 2 Table Seats – $37
  • High Top Seats ~ Tier 2 Seats – $37
  • East Row Seats ~ Tier 3 Seats – $32
  • West Row Seats ~ Tier 3 Seats – $32

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Lucien Leopold Harrigan, professionally known as Jon Lucien was born on January 8, 1942 in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands but was raised in St. Thomas. His father was a musician whose main instrument was a three-coursed Latin guitar-like chordophone known as a Tres. As a teenager, he played bass in his father’s band.

During the 1960s he moved to New York City and while performing at a party, he was discovered by an executive from RCA. He released his debut album (I Am Now in 1970 with a mix of pop and jazz standards. His sophomore album, Rashida, contained only songs written by Lucien, with Lady Love receiving radio airplay, and Dave Grusin receiving a Grammy Award nomination for his arrangements. He went on to record two albums for Columbia and made guest appearances on Yesterday’s Dreams by Alphonso Johnson and Mr. Gone by Weather Report.

After his daughter drowned in 1980 Jon spent much of the decade struggling with drug addiction. He returned to music in the Nineties with the albums Listen Love and Mother Nature’s Son. When a second daughter died tragically in the crash of TWA Flight 800, Lucien dedicated his album Endless Love to her.

Vocalist and composer Jon Lucien transitioned from respiratory failure in Orlando, Florida on August 18, 2007.

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NICOLE HENRY

Since her debut, Nicole Henry has established herself among the jazz world’s most acclaimed performers, possessing a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and powerful emotional resonance.

Her passionate, soulful voice and heartfelt charisma have earned her a Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance,” and four Top-10 U.S. Billboard, Jazz Week and HMV Japan jazz albums. Heralded by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Japan Times, El Pais, Jazz Times, Essence and more, Ms. Henry tells real stories through peerless interpretations of repertoire from the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues and originals.

She has captivated audiences in over 20 countries, headlining at venues in cities including New York, Tokyo, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston, San Francisco and Miami at such venues as Blue Note; Jazz at Lincoln Center; Blues, Alley, The Smith Center; Kravis Center; Jazz St. Louis, Feinstein’s; Madrid Jazz Festival; and more.

She has also recorded with some of today’s musical greats including Kirk Whalum, Julian Lage, John Clayton, and Gerald Clayton and has performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Pasadena Pops and Michael Feinstein. Based on her various career accomplishments and active commitment to supporting non-profits such as Miami Music Project (Board Member), YoungArts and Miami Children’s Initiative (past Board Member), proclamations from the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County have named “Nicole Henry Days” in 2011, 2016 and 2017. Ms. Henry has also served two terms on the Board of the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs).

Band Members:
Nicole Henry – vocals
Pete Wallace – piano
David Chiverton – drums
TBA – bass

Thursday $25-35
Set 1 seating times: 630 / 645 / 7
Set 2 seating times: 830 / 845 / 9

Friday & Saturday $35-45
Set 1 seating times: 630 / 645 / 7
Set 2 seating times: 830 / 845 / 9
Set 3 seating times: 1015 / 1030 / 1045

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RENÉ MARIE & FROST STUDIO JAZZ BAND

American jazz singer René Marie possesses one of the most unique voices in her genre. Her devotion to social issues and ability to engage an audience with her moving stories, clever humor, and profound compositions are unmatched. Come experience her magic alongside Frost Studio Jazz Band.

Etienne Charles, conductor | Austin Muthyala, assistant conductor

 

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