Andy Sheppard
Few artists enjoy such a vast musical output as Andy Sheppard, who has recorded and released albums as band leader for the likes of Island Records, Blue Note, Verve, Provocateur, and 'his spiritual home' ECM.
A musician with an unceasingly evolving nature, Sheppard has written in a hugely diverse range of settings, from solo to Big Band to chamber music and this extraordinary versatility is reflected in his vast discography.
For the past 15 years, Sheppard found what he calls "his spiritual home" on ECM, with a catalogue of releases as a band leader as well as part of the legendary band Carla Bley Trios, alongside pianist and composer Carla Bley and bassist Steve Swallow.
Current projects:
Andy Sheppard QUARTETS
Andy Sheppard QUARTETS is a vehicle for Sheppard to reflect on past, present, and future compositional endeavours.
It is an homage to one's own identity through time, embracing a block universe philosophy, in which all musical works from different eras coexist at once on the stage at a given time. Bringing back past compositions to the forefront of his shows, without the fear of sabotaging his renowned innovative spirit, he allows the present moment to reshape its version of music-making by freely exploring new possibilities of improvisation, a constant shuffling of an evolving narrative with unexpected revelations.
The new compositions, for this saxophone and guitar-led band, derive from Andy’s explorations of individuality and his long love relationship with the guitar. In Sheppard’s own words when describing this new musical ensemble and its concept "It’s not about a nostalgia kind of thing, we will be playing a wide range of music that has come out of me over the last 20, 30 years ... However, it's a movable feast, with stuff I'm playing and working on at the moment...and tunes that I have re-arranged especially for Quartets. I am constantly writing... I usually write with the guitar...I love the guitar...This band will be continually developing, whilst at the same time digging into my own musical story."
Andy Sheppard - Saxophones
John Parricelli - Guitar
Dudley Phillips - Double Bass
Nic France - Drums
Andy Sheppard Trio
Andy Sheppard Trio marks an unprecedented encounter between the masterful saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Italian jazz icon pianist Rita Marcotulli and one of the most prominent bassists in the European circuit, French bassist Michel Benita. Three highly individual musicians, of of whom played a major role in shaping what we call the sound of European Jazz today.
In this new ensemble, Sheppard seizes the opportunity to develop an entire programme of new compositions, taking a spirited fresh approach to his writing, honouring jazz in its tradition but allowing free space for interpretation by the elements of the trio.
Collectively exploring the possibilities of improvisation and interplay, the music is anchored in structure whilst also being free to choose new paths and take on different directions in the making.
Andy Sheppard - Tenor and soprano saxophones
Rita Marcotulli - Piano
Michel Benita - Double bass
