Hello to all you music lovers!!::
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my new cd (Chromatic Cocktails). The cd was recorded in early Nov.2004 in two short sessions at Word of Mouth in New Orleans, La. with my working band and very few overdubs.
I moved to New Orleans in 1978. Since that time I have played full time guitar & banjo in the tourist industry here, while raising our family (two children now in college) with my wife, Karen. During this time I have played several thousand jazz/ blues gigs in restaurants, festivals riverboats, clubs etc., all along backing up some of the best horn players in the city. While listening to them, I started wondering how jazz would sound played on the harmonica. With that in mind I started this project, it is very unique, and a true outgrowth of my experience with, and love of the music of New Orleans. (Jazz, Latin, Blues, R&B, Second line, Bossa, Mambo) . I hope you enjoy it! (Check out my orher cd (New Orleans Harmonica), also available at cd Baby!
REVIEW OF THIS CD AS IT APPEARED IN OFFBEAT (N.O. MUSIC MAGAZINE)
From the regional relevance of “Boll Weevil” to the over-covered “Oyé Como Va,” Shepherd interprets these songs and other favorite jazz standards adding the unique sound of the chromatic harmonica, making this a very original sounding album. Shepherd enlists a completely different band to back him on his latest collection. While Shepherd’s harmonica certainly steals the show here, Paul Turnipseed and Larry Scala’s guitar playing is something worth noting. In fact, the entire band knows when to swing and when to sit back and let Shepherd’s harmonica do the talking. Everyone gets a chance to show off their stuff, and all of the solos are tasteful and never overbearing.
Not only is Shepherd an excellent harp player, but for all of you who like words with their jazz his voice is ever so soothing on the few songs he sings . So, whether you are in the mood to sway, snap or straight up swing Chromatic Cocktails will satisfy that urge in a way few other jazz albums can.
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