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Bob Sheppard

Some musicians’ careers are easily pigeonholed. Not so Bob Sheppard’s. For more than four decades, the multi-instrumentalist has played on countless sessions with an astounding crop of A-list jazz giants—among them Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Michael and Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Lyle Mays, John Beasley and Steps Ahead—and artists within several other genres. He’s also recorded and toured as a leader, contributed to hundreds of movie and TV soundtracks, served as an educator and more.

But what’s most astounding, perhaps, is that Bob Sheppard still has so much more he wants to do. “My career path was a product of taking intertwining roads, never really knowing where they would lead,” he says. “I continue to stay excited about future projects; the notion of slowing down does not appeal to me in the least.”

He’s been at it since he was a child. Music entered Sheppard’s life via his amateur saxophonist father and was nurtured via a culturally aware high school that brought in big band legends like Woody Herman, Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton for the enrichment of the students. Although he originally wanted to play the drums, by the fifth grade sax and woodwinds became Sheppard’s calling. He got his first alto saxophone in junior high school. “Practicing became my friend, a place to escape,” he says.

From the start, it was jazz that lured him. “When I was a kid, there was jazz all over TV and radio. The sound of jazz and swing music was still in large part the norm on the radio and TV. I really didn’t need to search jazz out; it was all around me. I really liked the idea of finding melodies and the freedom of exploring sounds on my horn. I was constantly noodling and experimenting. I never waited for my teacher to tell me what to practice. Playing along with all of the music I heard was a huge factor in how I learned to use my ear, identify harmony and develop acute relative pitch, and to play in tune.”

Sheppard began playing professionally while still living in the Philadelphia area, where he grew up. He continued while attending college, working various stage shows and even the circus, and soon found gigs accompanying giants of the business such as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr. and the 5th Dimension. A steady spot in the orchestra of Chuck Mangione provided vital learning experience.

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Album Review

Judy Whitmore: Come Fly with Me

Read "Come Fly  with Me" reviewed by Jack Bowers


When the multi-talented Judy Whitmore sings “Come Fly with Me," it is an invitation that is almost impossible to resist, especially as the lovely and charming vocalist is also a pilot who is licensed to fly anything from jets to seaplanes to hot air balloons. On her latest album, backed by a big band and twenty-six member string section with arrangements by Hollywood top gun Chris Walden, Whitmore beckons listeners to fly with her to romantic places around the world ...

3
Album Review

Adam Schroeder & Mark Masters celebrate Clark Terry: CT!

Read "CT!" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


In jazz, where the past intertwines with the present and the future, few figures were as influential as the legendary trumpeter Clark Terry. During his playing career, he developed a creative, bouncy style with an irrepressible rhythmic verve that was entirely his own. The album CT! with baritone saxophonist Adam Schroeder and arranger Mark Masters serves as a heartfelt homage to this jazz icon, presenting fresh and invigorating arrangements of 13 Clark Terry originals skillfully performed by a 12-piece ensemble. ...

36
Album Review

David Whitman: Ode To Joe

Read "Ode To Joe" reviewed by Jack Bowers


While West Coast drummer David Whitman's Ode to Joe [Henderson] is a rather brief one at less than thirty-three minutes, it is otherwise admirable for what is enclosed within its concise parameters. Whitman leads a well-schooled septet whose makeup is freshened by rotating tenor saxophonists Bob Sheppard and Rob Lockart and guitarists Bruce Forman and Chris Montgomery. Whitman and trumpeter Andrew Neesley share composer credits, and Neesley handles the arrangements, awakening warm memories of the Golden Age ...

5
Album Review

Jack Jones Featuring Joey DeFrancesco: ArtWork

Read "ArtWork" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


"Those who know, know" happens to be a soon-to-be-overused phrase to describe the hip, the “In," and “the very elite of aware." Now in his Mid-80s, Jack Jones has maintained a stellar, cross-media career, all on a foundation of a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Mel Torme, one not easily prone to hyperbole, called Jones, “the best pure singer in the business." Torme and others in the Vocal Pantheon knew. With ArtWork, Jones joins forces with the late multi-instrumentalist and ...

31
Album Review

Jack Jones Featuring Joey DeFrancesco: ArtWork

Read "ArtWork" reviewed by Jack Bowers


If a singer's reputation is so impressive that he or she is able to enlist a full orchestra (with bassist John Clayton conducting) and the late organ maestro Joey DeFrancesco as featured soloist, that is certainly enough to warrant attention. The singer in this instance is two-time Grammy winner Jack Jones, the orchestra an assemblage of some of the Los Angeles area's finest musicians, enlarged by a thirty-member string section. On one hand, Jones remains a smooth ...

7
Album Review

David Whitman: Ode To Joe

Read "Ode To Joe" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Dipping into this fine recording is, to mix metaphors a bit, like opening a time capsule. That capsule is called One For All (A&M, 1990), perhaps the final studio recording of Art Blakey with The Jazz Messengers. It was not a perfect outing, but it was a memorable one. The lines got into the head and stayed there, just waiting for a chance to be reawakened. Well, now is the time with Ode to Joe. A convenient link between the ...

11
Album Review

Joe La Barbera: World Travelers

Read "World Travelers" reviewed by Dave Linn


Drummer Joe La Barbera has an extensive and impressive resume. At the age of 20, he played in the second drum chair for the Buddy Rich Big Band before driving the 1972 stellar lineup of Woody Herman's Thundering Herd. In 1978, he was offered the prestigious opportunity to be part of the acclaimed (and what turned out to be the final) line-up of the Bill Evans Trio, where he stayed until the pianist's tragic death in 1980. Later, gigs with ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Molly Ringwald, Grand Marquis, "Great Guitars 2013," Hot Club of Cowtown, Bob Sheppard, Reunion Jazz Band, and More

Jazz This Week: Molly Ringwald, Grand Marquis, "Great Guitars 2013," Hot Club of Cowtown, Bob Sheppard, Reunion Jazz Band, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

In this slightly early edition of StLJN's weekly highlights post, we find a lineup of jazz and creative music performances that includes a movie star-turned-singer, plus a variety of musical styles ranging from jump blues and Western swing to straight-ahead jazz to fusion, both electric and acoustic. Let's see what's happening in the next few days.... Tonight, the aforementioned movie star, singer and actress Molly Ringwald (pictured), comes to town for the first of two evening at Jazz at the ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Marcus Miller, Bob Sheppard, Tributes to Horace Silver and the Blue Note Sound, and More

Jazz This Week: Marcus Miller, Bob Sheppard, Tributes to Horace Silver and the Blue Note Sound, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It looks to be a nice weekend in St. Louis, weather-wise, and there's also a nice selection of live jazz and creative music available in local venues as the fall presenting season begins. And speaking of seasons, tonight Jazz St. Louis will have their first-ever public “season preview party" at Jazz at the Bistro. (They've had similar events before for subscribers, but this is designed to give even Bistro novices a chance to get a feel for the room and ...

Performance / Tour

Bob Sheppard Qt. Live at Yoshi's - San Francisco July 01, 2012

Bob Sheppard Qt. Live at Yoshi's - San Francisco July 01, 2012

Source: Two for the Show Media

Over the course of an extraordinarily diverse career that has made him a first call musician in the realms of jazz, pop and the studio worlds, multi-woodwind specialist Bob Sheppard has always let his array of saxophones, flutes and clarinets do the talking. Superstar names highlight his resume, and jazz critics have been raving about him as both a sideman and leader for years, but such praise is simply a byproduct of Sheppard´s years of steady work and dedication to ...

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Performance / Tour

Bob Sheppard's "Close Your Eyes" Premier Live Performance December 18 At Vitellos

Bob Sheppard's "Close Your Eyes" Premier Live Performance December 18 At Vitellos

Source: April Williams

Veteran Saxophone giant Bob Sheppard will be performing his new music from his latest release of Close Your Eyes live at Vitellos on Saturday December 18, 2010. The band will be Alan Pasqua, Piano Larry Koonse, Guitar Gabe Noel, Bass Steve Hass, Drums. Bob Sheppard has long been one of the top reed players based in Southern California. Constantly in demand for record sessions, club dates, concerts, soundtracks, and an enormous amount of projects, he has the ability to sound ...

198

Recording

New Label BFM JAZZ Releases Bob Sheppard's "Close Your Eyes," A Masterful Effort by the Saxophonist

New Label BFM JAZZ Releases Bob Sheppard's "Close Your Eyes," A Masterful Effort by the Saxophonist

Source: Amanda Nagle

LOS ANGELES—November 23, 2010—Bob Sheppard has long been one of the top reed players based in Southern California. Constantly in demand for record sessions, club dates, concerts, soundtracks, and an enormous amount of projects, he has the ability to sound both creative and comfortable on a variety of instruments, no matter what the setting. Now, Sheppard moves onto the next chapter in his long career, with the release of Close Your Eyes on BFM JAZZ. The album will be available ...

325

Recording

Pianist Hiroe Sekine Releases "a-me", New CD Featuring Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Et Al.

Pianist Hiroe Sekine Releases "a-me", New CD Featuring Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Et Al.

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

A talented musician, a gifted jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Hiroe Sekine (Hee-ROE-ay Say-KEE-Neh) approaches jazz standards and her compositions using her very original voices and colors -- modern and fresh, yet classic. She has been writing and performing for nearly 20 years both in Japan and the U.S. Being a dedicated and truly professional musician, her energy and stage presence at her live concerts have proved magnetic to many audiences. a-me (Ah-MAY) is her debut album. A native of ...

273

Education

Bob Sheppard Sax Master Class Kicks Off New LA JAZZPRO Master Class Series on August 1, 2009 in Studio City, CA

Bob Sheppard Sax Master Class Kicks Off New LA JAZZPRO Master Class Series on August 1, 2009 in Studio City, CA

Source: All About Jazz

Los Angeles JAZZPRO Master Class Series Studio City, CA August 1, 2009 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Looking for inspiration this summer? In an effort to join communities together by presenting local and international jazz artists that share themselves with students, young professionals and music aficionados,we offer this new and exciting jazz workshop concept. The Series features world-class performer/clinicians in an intimate setting. Master Classes and Workshops are geared toward intermediate and advanced students. ...

407

Performance / Tour

Marcus Miller to Play with Bob Sheppard, Alan Pasqua, Bernie Dresel, and More...

Marcus Miller to Play with Bob Sheppard, Alan Pasqua, Bernie Dresel, and More...

Source: All About Jazz

MARCUS MILLER, ALAN PASQUA, BOB SHEPPARD, BERNIE DRESEL, CHRIS TEDESCO, BOB MCCHESENEY, MATT HARRIS, SCOTT WHITFIELD AT THE HW JAZZ FESTIVAL Eight world-renowned jazz musicians will be playing together one time only at the 4th Annual Harvard Westlake Jazz Festival on April 18th. The “All Star Combo” will have Marcus Miller on bass, Bob Sheppard on sax, Bernie Dresel on drums, Alan Pasqua on piano, Chris Tedesco on trumpet, Bob McCheseney on trombone, Matt Harris and Scott Whitfield playing at ...

146

Performance / Tour

Bob Sheppard Quartet Plays Live March 19th New Jazz Room

Bob Sheppard Quartet Plays Live March 19th New Jazz Room

Source: Arcos Communications

Bob Sheppard will perform with his quartet including Peter Erskine (drums),Larry Koonse (gtr) and Darek Oles(bass) this Thursday March 19th Upstairs at Vitello's new Jazz room in Studio City, Ca.

Bob Sheppard is acknowledged for his inspiring musical spontaneity, his dramatic playing style is supported by an expressive warm and centered tone that fluctuates through tonal ranges of dark intensity to lyrical sensitivity. These attributes combined with his keen musical intuition, make him a desirable and creative collaborator who accents ...

195

Performance / Tour

Bob Sheppard and Randy Brecker Added as Special Guests David Finck Quartet CD Release at the Jazz Standard

Bob Sheppard and Randy Brecker Added as Special Guests David Finck Quartet CD Release  at the Jazz Standard

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

This just in: Tenor saxophonist Bob Sheppard and trumpeter Randy Brecker added as special guests! David Finck Quartet Featuring David Finck- bass Lewis Nash- drums Joe Locke- vibes Bill O'Connell- piano special guests: Tenor saxophonist Bob Sheppard and trumpeter Randy Brecker Monday, March 31st Sets At 7:30 & 9:30PM Music charge: $15 Jazz Standard is located at 116 E. 27th Street between Lexington and ...

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Concerts

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

CT!

Capri Records
2024

buy

Come Fly with Me

Self Produced
2024

buy

World Travelers

Sam First Records
2023

buy

My Story In Song

Herron Song Records
2023

buy

Payin’ My Dues

Self Produced
2023

buy

Pain & Beauty

Self Pulished
2023

buy

Serenade to a Bus Seat

From: CT!
By Bob Sheppard

Convergency

From: Convergency
By Bob Sheppard

Checkered Past

From: Long Story Short
By Bob Sheppard

Forasteira

From: L.A. Source Codes
By Bob Sheppard

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