Shannon Gaye

You can pickup my new CD 'Pretty Pictures' (tune samples above) online at CD Baby. CLICK HERE to go to Shannon's page at CD Baby. Be sure to checkout the new Soul Compilation CD "In the Groove" just released in the U.K. on Soulvibe Records. I'm thrilled to have my tune "Willing & Able" as one of the tracks on this exceptional compilation featuring Rahsaan Patterson, Lenny Hamilton and U-Nam. “Shannon Gaye presents 'Pretty Pictures' - sophisticated urban music with matter for the mind. On stage, Shannon and her exceptional three piece band F.U.J.A. (Funked Up Jazz Ambassadors) deliver evocative, groove-driven, self-penned material featuring Shannon (a chick?!) on percussion. And she can sing with a capital “S”. From the most delicate melodies to sky high, roof-raising licks, Shannon is in full command of her voice. Music writer James Muretich described her as: the slender singer with the big soulful voice – the kind that knocks you for a loop.” There, that’s the sell, now onto more interesting things. My middle name 'Gaye' is a nod to brilliant musician and social activist Marvin Gaye. Oddly enough for a young girl growing up in rootsy B.C., I’ve always had an affinity for soul, jazz and R&B. Early musical inspirations include powerhouse singers Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder, as well as funk institutions Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. Present day influences change on a pretty regular basis, but lately I’ve been listening to Corinne Bailey, Marc Broussard, Rahsaan Patterson, and Nikka Costa. From a songwriting perspective, I’ve always been drawn to great wordsmiths like Leonard Cohen, Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Joni Mitchell, and Ricky Lee Jones. I also always have at least three books on the go – latest great read is 'On Beauty' by Zadie Smith.But enough about me, let me tell you about my main collaborator and co-producer for my latest CD Pretty Pictures. It’s Kristian Alexandrov, a gifted pianist & drummer who also happens to be longstanding music director for Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, and our band F.U.J.A.’s fearless leader. We all share an intense musical bond - true passion for rhythm, a strong melodic sense and a fiery approach to improvisation. Our undeniable connection keeps me inspired and on track.Since the release of Pretty Pictures, I’ve had a pretty crazy schedule. This past December I once again joined the Singing for Supper Christmas Tour. We put on 22 shows across Canada in 27 days, met some really great people along the way, and raised a whole bunch of money for the local foodbanks. This June we once again performed for three sold-out nights at the Medicine Hat Jazz Festival and the Calgary Jazz Festival and had a blast! In July we hit the road again performing some decidedly non-country shows for the Calgary Stampede, followed by a golf/music tour in Western Canada (now that's a good gig!). Other performance highlights include opening for David Sanborn, Colin James and FutureMan (Bella Fleck).Travel is my second favourite thing to do, and it's a good thing since it's such a big part of a musician's life. In April 2005, I ventured on a promotional tour of London (U.K.) and Sofia (Bulgaria), complete with interviews on Jazz FM and Free Radio Europe. We also stopped in Paris – what an amazing experience. In other travel news of sorts – I have made the big move to Vancouver on the westcoast of beautiful British Columbia, the province that has never stopped feeling like home.