Shawn Purcell graduated from Duquesne University in May, 1993 with a Bachelors of Music in Recording Arts and Sciences. As an undergraduate, he studied Jazz/Brazilian/Rock Guitar under the direction of Kenny Karsh, Joe Negri, and Marty Ashby, and classical guitar under the direction of Tom Kikta. Studies also included Jazz Arranging and Jazz Composition with Dr. John Doc Wilson. While attending Duquesne, and upon graduating, Shawn played in Late Edition, a contemporary Jazz/ Fusion Band based in Pittsburgh. In November, 1993, he was called to tour with Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus as the Blue Units staff guitarist. This two year gig covered over 93 cities throughout the United States.
In August 1996 Shawn auditioned and was selected for the Air Force Jazz Band The Airmen of Note. During his tenure with The Note, Shawn performed and toured throughout the United States and overseas, including Germany, Luxembourg, England, Italy, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Oman, to name a few. Performances with well-known artists include: Gene Ludwig, Carl Allen, Jim McNeely, Scott Robinson, Eddie Daniels, Herbie Hancock, Peter Erskine, Kirk Whalum, Jeannie Bryson, Joe Williams, Bob Berg, Dave Liebman, Conrad Herwig, Mike Mainieri, Lew Tabacken, Gregg Bissonette, Clark Terry, James Moody, Claudio Roditi, Randy Brecker, Tony Williams, Harold Jones, Ronnie Cuber, James Williams, Herbie Mann, Jerry Bergonzi, Randy Purcell, B.B. Winans, Lari White, Kenny Rankin, Quincy Jones, Peabo Bryson, Gloria Loring, The Temptations, The Vogues and many others. Festival performances include the Toronto Jazz Festival, Pensacola Jazz Festival, AES (Audio Engineers Society) National Convention, (IAJE) International Association of Jazz Educators Convention, (PASIC) Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Midwest Bandmasters Assoc. Convention, International Trumpet Guild and the Mellon Jazz Festival. While performing with The Note Shawn continued his studies with players such as John Hart and Rick Margitza. Shawn honorably separated from the Air Force in March, 2004.
In addition to performing, Shawn held the adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA from 2001-2003. Through the Air Force Jazz Outreach program, Shawn led clinics at universities such as Towson University, Montgomery College, Brigham Young University, and Penn State. Freelance gigs included jazz gigs, big band gigs, weddings, corporate work, and as the staff guitarist for the world premier of Frank Loesser’s musical Senior Discretion Himself, debuting at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. Shawn also played Georgetown’s famed Blues Alley with vibraphonist, Chuck Redd. Shawn can be heard on 16 CD’s and on numerous jingles for companies including Koon’s Ford, Hecht’s and a national television commercial for Air Force Recruiting. Shawn was recently added to the “Who’s Playing Anderson Guitars†user’s list for Tom Anderson Guitarworks (www.andersonguitars.com) and the user’s list for Real McCoy Custom Wah pedals.
After moving to Nashville in 2004 Shawn remained active in the jazz scene teaching at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Gene Ford Music, private studio lessons and music camps such as the National Guitar Workshop and W.O. Smith music camp. In May 2006, Shawn completed his Masters degree in Arranging and Composition at Middle Tennessee State University. Shawn also held adjunct jazz guitar positions at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He performed at various local establishments, including The Ryman, F. Scotts, The Sportsman's Grille, Sambuca, Five Senses, and the Nashville Jazz Workshop "Cave." Shawn also played at the Jazz Factory in Louisville, Kentucky with "The Marcus Finnie Project." Other performances included many appearances on “Live in Studio C†on WPLN (Nashville Public Radio), and “Snap on 2 and 4†performances at the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
August 2007, Shawn began work on his Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, studying under Grammy award winning saxophonist/arranger Chip McNeill, Chair of the UIUC Jazz Studies Department. Since moving to Champaign, Shawn has been a member of the local group the C-U Jazz Crusaders. The C-U Jazz Crusaders was formed to pay homage to the legendary group The Jazz Crusaders. The C-U Jazz Crusaders have performed in Chicago, the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, and the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati. Shawn can be heard on Chip McNeill's upcoming CD, recorded in Dallas, TX with musicians, drummer Stockton Helbing (Former musical director of the Maynard Ferguson Band) and pianist David Braid (Jazz Piano faculty at the University of Toronto and Juno award winner).
