Album Notes

Shannon Bryant has had strong musical influences while growing up in her native London, Ont. Most notably, her grandmother’s cousin, Francis Henry, was one of the original members of the Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians band.Her own musical journey kick-started in Dublin Ireland during a "find yourself" backpacking trip she took after finishing her degree in philosophy. She cashed in her return ticket home to Canada and started working and singing in a restaurant-piano bar in Dublin. The experience cemented her decision to pursue a career in music and when she returned home six months later she joined her first band, the eleven piece R&B group, "Midnight Soul Revue".Shannon later explored the world of jazz and fell in love with the beautiful melodies and rhythms of Brazilian and Latin music. She merged these new musical styles with her pop background and ended up forming the “Shannon Bryant Quartet”. Bryant performed at festivals such as the Sunfest World Music Festival in London Ontario, the Sarnia Jazz and Blues Festival and the Harrison Park Balloon Festival. She also performed with the London Symphony Orchestra in the popular Jeans and Classics show. Just before Shannon’s move to San Francisco in 2000 she received a Canadian FACTOR grant to record her pop single, Two Souls. This was her signal to focus more on her original material. Bryant took a leap of faith and moved to San Francisco convinced that it was the right creative environment to continue expanding her music career - it was. In March of 2004 Shannon headed to the San Francisco chapter of the Recording Academy with her demo in her hand and became a member. As fate would have it, that very day she was selected to perform on stage with Carlos Santana in a tribute to Mickey Hart for the 2004 Recording Academy Governor's Awards. Bryant has also worked as a vocal coach with Global Alliance on the LWAK Kenyan and American gospel artists CD/DVD and was the representative for Canada at the Yerba Buena Gardens 2003 International Music Festival. Shannon’s recent work includes her self-produced CD, Oceano. Oceano is an original album that blends Pop, Brazilian, Eastern, and jazz rhythms with Bryant’s intimate vocals. Oceano has aired on CBC Radio across Canada and was one of Mark Rheaume’s top picks for 2007 on CBC’s, “Fresh Air”. Bryant also created the new music-dance story, It’s About Love. It’s About Love has been presented at Crocker Galleria-Art People, in San Francisco, SF State University- Jack Adams Hall, and Larkspur Café Theatre, Larkspur CA. Shannon is the founder and artistic director of Belle Estrela Music.“Oceano makes "Top Picks of November 2007" on CBC Radio.” Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio“This CD is a soulful and intelligently delightful swim in an exquisite vocal experience. I feel well and all smiley faced about the musicianship and sometimes poignant and therapeutic lyrics."James Cervantes, KWVA-Eugene, OR"Oceano is a warm breeze blowing up from Brazil - relaxed, effortless, and hip. The songs recall the best of the 60's bossa nova movement. Bryant imbues the songs with a modern touch in the production.” (3½ stars) Les French, WMEB-Orono, ME“Her calm and warm voice makes listening to her CD a nice Bossa experience. The interesting Indian touch of track 3 “Born Innocent” immediately proves how great Shannon’s musical range and skills are. Of course with track 5, the real Bossa comes out and one can enjoy the joyful sound even more. Just get this CD. You will love it more and more every time.”Joost Van Steen, Jazz & Blues Tour Radio - The NetherlandsEmbracing the essence of the bossa nova, Shannon Bryant’s melodies and lyrics sway like warm breezes and gentle, tropical waves”.Sandra Klein, Marin Independent Journal .