Elizabeth Shepherd (musician)
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Shepherd is a Toronto-based singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer. Along with artists like Esperanza Spalding and Jose James, she is often credited with invigorating and reinventing the jazz song and bringing jazz influenced music to a younger audience. Real Detroit Weekly has called her "a jazz virtuoso blessed with a pop sensibility" while The London Evening Standard has described her as an "insightful singer/songwriter of evident talent and originality".
Shepherd arrived on the international jazz scene with a bang when her debut album Start to Move was voted among the Top 3 jazz albums of 2006 by the listeners of The Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio 1. This collection of mostly original material was nominated for a Juno award
(Canada's Grammy equivalent) in 2007. Shepherd's second album Parkdale, released in May 2008, deals sympathetically with its Toronto neighbourhood
namesake, which is known for its grit
. The album, produced by London-based producer/DJ Nostalgia 77, was also nominated for a Juno award in 2009.
Shepherd's most recent release, Heavy Falls the Night (2010) features only one cover song: a supremely soulful reworking of the 70s soft-rock radio staple "Danny's Song". Shepherd produced the album herself, with the exception of the first single "Seven Bucks", which was co-produced by Japanese DJ Mitsu the Beats and climbed up to #37 on the "Tokio Hot 100" chart. The record was praised by jazz and pop critics alike, and was long listed for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize, Canada's most prestigious popular music prize.
, Shepherd had early exposure to choirs and brass bands. Trained extensively in conservatories, Shepherd completed a degree in jazz piano from McGill University
. She initially entered the music program to pursue a career in music therapy, turning later to songwriting and performing. She returned to Toronto in 2004 and worked as a server at a piano bar. She became the restaurant’s key entertainer and formed a trio with Scott Kemp on bass and Colin Kingsmore on drums.
Shepherd has sold out legendary jazz clubs across the world, from Tokyo's Cotton Club
to Detroit's Cliff Bell's
. She has also appeared at festivals on both sides of the Atlantic, including Montreal Jazz Festival and the North Seas Jazz Festival. In 2009, she was personally invited by British souljazz star Jamie Cullum
to open for him at a sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl
.
Shepherd has appeared and performed live on many radio shows, including The Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio 1 (UK), J-Wave's Modaista (Japan) and Q with Jian Ghomeshi
on CBC Radio (Canada).
Shepherd arrived on the international jazz scene with a bang when her debut album Start to Move was voted among the Top 3 jazz albums of 2006 by the listeners of The Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio 1. This collection of mostly original material was nominated for a Juno award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
(Canada's Grammy equivalent) in 2007. Shepherd's second album Parkdale, released in May 2008, deals sympathetically with its Toronto neighbourhood
Parkdale, Toronto
Parkdale is a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, west of downtown. The neighbourhood is bounded on the west by Roncesvalles Avenue, on the north by Queen Street. It is bounded on the east by Dufferin Street from Queen Street south, and on the south by Lake Ontario...
namesake, which is known for its grit
Grit
Grit may refer to:* GRIT , also known as Arhgap32 or PX-RICS* Grit , a U.S. periodical founded as a newspaper in 1882* Grit , by Celtic fusion musician Martyn Bennett* Grit , by Norwegian rock band Madrugada...
. The album, produced by London-based producer/DJ Nostalgia 77, was also nominated for a Juno award in 2009.
Shepherd's most recent release, Heavy Falls the Night (2010) features only one cover song: a supremely soulful reworking of the 70s soft-rock radio staple "Danny's Song". Shepherd produced the album herself, with the exception of the first single "Seven Bucks", which was co-produced by Japanese DJ Mitsu the Beats and climbed up to #37 on the "Tokio Hot 100" chart. The record was praised by jazz and pop critics alike, and was long listed for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize, Canada's most prestigious popular music prize.
Biography
Raised by ministers of the Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, Shepherd had early exposure to choirs and brass bands. Trained extensively in conservatories, Shepherd completed a degree in jazz piano from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. She initially entered the music program to pursue a career in music therapy, turning later to songwriting and performing. She returned to Toronto in 2004 and worked as a server at a piano bar. She became the restaurant’s key entertainer and formed a trio with Scott Kemp on bass and Colin Kingsmore on drums.
Shepherd has sold out legendary jazz clubs across the world, from Tokyo's Cotton Club
Cotton Club
The Cotton Club was a famous night club in Harlem, New York City that operated during Prohibition that included jazz music. While the club featured many of the greatest African American entertainers of the era, such as Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, Count Basie, Bessie Smith,...
to Detroit's Cliff Bell's
Cliff Bell's
Cliff Bell's is a jazz club in Detroit, Michigan which is located at 2030 Park Ave. It originally opened in 1935, and it is named after John Clifford Bell, an entrepreneur in Detroit in the 1930's. Notable artists such as Marcus Miller have performed at Cliff Bell's. Additionally, The Moth...
. She has also appeared at festivals on both sides of the Atlantic, including Montreal Jazz Festival and the North Seas Jazz Festival. In 2009, she was personally invited by British souljazz star Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
to open for him at a sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
.
Shepherd has appeared and performed live on many radio shows, including The Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio 1 (UK), J-Wave's Modaista (Japan) and Q with Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi is a Canadian broadcaster, writer, musician and producer of Iranian descent who was raised in Thornhill, Ontario. Now based in Toronto, he is the host of the national daily cultural affairs talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and Bold TV...
on CBC Radio (Canada).
Discography
- Start To Move (Do Right Music 2006)
- Besides (Do Right Music 2007)
- Parkdale (Do Right Music 2008)
- Heavy Falls The Night (Do Right Music 2010)