Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
Press Kit
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
B I O G R a p h y
Honesty. Clarity. Dignity. These are words that
come to mind when you listen to the music of
bassist-composer Avery Sharpe. In an age of
ephemeral pop stars and flavor-of-the-month
trends, Sharpe is a reminder of the lasting value of
steadfast dedication and personal integrity. As the
title of one of his tunes asserts, “Always Expect
the Best of Yourself.”
Sharpe was born in Valdosta, Georgia and his first
instrument was the piano. “I started playing when
I was eight years old,” he recalls. “My mother is a
piano player in the Church of God in Christ, and she gave lessons to everybody in the family—I’m the sixth of eight children—but it didn’t stick until it
got to me.” He moved on to accordion and then switched to electric bass in
high school.
Sharpe enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, where he studied economics and continued to play electric bass in gospel, funk, and rock groups.
While at UMass, he met the jazz bassist Reggie Workman, who encouraged
him to learn the acoustic bass. Sharpe adapted quickly to the big instrument,
and within a few years he was performing with such notables as Archie
Shepp and Art Blakey. In 1980, Sharpe auditioned with McCoy Tyner and
won a spot in the pianist’s group. He worked with Tyner almost continuously for 20 years, playing hundreds of live gigs and appearing on more than
20 records.
Sharpe’s credits also include sideman stints with many other jazz greats, from
Dizzy Gillespie to Pat Metheny, as well as leading his own groups. His first
recording as a leader was the 1988 album Unspoken Words on Sunnyside
Records, which was praised by critic Jim Roberts as “a diverse, challenging
record that rewards repeated listening.” In 1994, he recorded Extended
Family, the first CD of a trilogy that includes Extended Family II: Thoughts
of My Ancestors (1995) and Extended Family III: Family Values (2001).
recording Dragon Fly on JKNM Records was released 2005, features Winard
Harper and Onaje Allan Gumbs, with special guest Jeri Brown and Chico
Freeman. Legends and Mentors: the music of McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp
and Yusef Lateef, released in 2008, features John Blake, Joe Ford, Winard
Harper and Onaje Allan Gumbs. In 2009, Autumn Moonlight was released
and in 2010, Avery Sharpe Trio Live was released. These recordings feature
Avery’s working trio with Onaje Allan Gumbs and Winard Harper.
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
All of these recordings were released on Sharpe’s own label, JKNM Records.
His latest recording, Running Man, released April 2011, features Avery’s trio
with Onaje Allan Gumbs and Yoron Israel, along with Craig Handy and Maya
Sharpe. This recording has 6 of Sharpe’s originals with originals by Yoron,
Craig, Onaje, and Maya. “The most important thing is depth,” he says. “You
have to seek out what was happening before and try to understand it. In my
music, I do things that are a little older as well as things that are contemporary.
If I try to do just one type of music, that limits me. But the more bases I cover—
the more experience I have in my life—the further I can go.” He is equally adept
at songs and longer compositional forms. In 1989, he wrote and conducted
the soundtrack for the movie An Unremarkable Life; a decade later, his sixmovement piece America’s Promise debuted in a concert-hall performance that
featured Sharpe’s quintet and a gospel choir backed by the Springfield (Mass.)
Symphony Orchestra. In the 1990s Sharpe was commissioned by the classical
group Fideleo to write 3 extended works for them.
Recently composed music for a one actor musical portrait based on the Harlem
Renaissance titled “Raisin’ Cane.” He was commissioned by Chamber Music
Plus to write the music for this portrait. This musical portrait will be on tour
in 2012 and 2013 with the actress Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Trio,
with Avery on bass, John Blake on violin, and Kevin Sharpe on percussion.
See www.raisincanethetour.com for further info.
In 2007 Avery was commissioned by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra
(Springfield, MA) to write a Jazz Concerto for Jazz Trio and Orchestra. The performance premiered in the Spring of 2007. The trio featured Kevin Eubanks on
acoustic guitar, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, and Avery on acoustic bass.
Regardless of the setting, Avery Sharpe always brings both exceptional musical
skill and unswerving honesty to the endeavor. “You can be sincere or you can be
jive about what you do,” he says. “People might not be able to tell at first, but if
you’re really sincere it will come through.”
Contact Information
Avery G. Sharpe
Jade Enterprises/JKNM Records
P.O. Box 177
Amherst, MA 01004
Website: jknmrecords.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Agent: TMO Entertainment
Tammanika Odidi
P.O. Box 946
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(908) 868-1322
[email protected]
http://tmoentertainment.webs.com
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
R e s ide n cie s / W or k s h op s
Jazz Ensemble
The artist composes or arranges music especially for a jazz ensemble. The
ensemble can be of any size, from a trio to a traditional big band. The ensembles
are usually high school or college ensembles but are not limited to them. The
artist rehearses and performs with the ensemble. The performance is conducted
by either the artist or the ensemble’s own conductor.
Children’s Jazz Ed./Demonstration
The history of Jazz is demonstrated through familiar children’s songs and cartoon themes. The workshop is a participatory activity utilizing African children’s
songs and stories to show the roots of jazz. This can be a 45 min. (brief) or a
week-long residency. If a longer residency is chosen, those children who play
instruments have workshops of their own with the artist where they learn the
songs used to demonstrate the history of jazz. They are then able to participate
in the demonstrations for the larger body of children. Children’s ages range from
grades K-12.
Improvisation Workshop
The artist works with area musicians, elementary students through college, as
well as professional musicians. The artist talks about, demonstrates and teaches
improvisational techniques. This workshop is useful for all levels of musicianship
and can also reach out to the classical musician. This workshop can also lead
into a jam session.
Master Classes
This class is organized for a limited number of students. All ability levels are
welcome. This class is available for bass, keyboards, drums/percussion and reeds.
The Business of Music
This workshop demonstrates techniques used by working surviving musicians.
With insights into working in studios, film scoring, grant writing and touring.
Workshops and residencies are available with Avery alone or up to and including
the entire group.
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
G ro u p s P re s e n t l y
A v a i l a b l e f or T o u r
Avery Sharpe “Running Man”
With Avery Sharpe on bass, Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano, Yoron Israel on
drums, Craig Handy on saxophones, and Maya Sharpe on vocals
Performing original compositions from Avery’s latest recording “Running Man”
Avery Sharpe Trio
With Avery Sharpe on bass, Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano, and Yoron Israel on
drums
Acoustic jazz trio performing original compositions by the trio and arrangement
of standards
Avery Sharpe “Legends and Mentors”
The Music of McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef
Quintet with Avery Sharpe on bass, Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano, Yoron Israel
on drums, John Blake on violin, and Joe Ford on saxophones
Avery Sharpe is available for Concerts, Festivals, Colleges, Master Classes,
Film Scores, Commissions for Jazz Ensembles, Gospel Choirs, Chamber Groups
and Symphonies
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
W h a t
t h e
C ritic s
S a y
“Even in these times of extraordinary bass players, Sharpe stands out.”
—Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times
“The key to the thrusting power of Mr. Tyner’s current trio is the bassist, Mr.
Sharpe. . . . Alternating between acoustic and electric bass, [he] maintains such a
commanding presence on both that he is a center around which everything else
rolls.”
—John S. Wilson, the New York Times
“Heavy gospel influences are often evident in Sharpe’s original work. The way
his solos slowly enlarge, like the sermons of a pulpit-thumping preacher, reflect
the spirits of his childhood home.”
—Mike Ervin, JazzIz
“Long-time bassist for McCoy Tyner, Sharpe excels on his instrument and shows
creative composing and arranging skills as well.”
—Sunsh Stein, JazzTimes
“Sharpe is amazing on the electric bass. . . . His guitar-like solos display a musicianship and a melodic quality that are almost unheard of on that instrument.”
—Jim Fuller, Minneapolis Star and Tribune
“Sharpe’s technique on both electric and acoustic bass is always used to further
the music … [and] his fellow musicians have noticed.”
—Jim Roberts, Guitar Player
“Forget about categories like mainstream and fusion and neobop … because if
there’s one thing you can say about Avery Sharpe, it’s that there’s no label worth
hanging on him except musician. And at that, he’s extraordinary.”
—Gene Santoro
Avery Sharpe
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
R é s u m é
Objective
To perpetuate a true positive mode of human life and
create fulfilling environment for all through music.
Instruments
(Major) Acoustic and Electric Bass
Composing/
Arranging
Commission: Springfield Symphony Orchestra,
“Holiday Pops” arrangements. Holiday songs for
Extended Family Gospel Choir, Symphony Chorus
and Symphony Orchestra, 2009.
CD recording: “Young Lions Kool Jazz Festival,”
Wynton Marsales, Bobby McFerrin, and various
artists
Commission: Springfield Symphony Orchestra,
“Rhythm in Red, White and Blues” concerto
for Jazz Trio and Orchestra. Featuring Kevin
Eubanks (Tonight Show’s musical director) and
Marvin”Smitty” Smith. World Premier, Spring 2007.
Jazz In July, UMASS—Bass ensemble
Commission: Springfield Symphony Orchestra,
“America’s Promise: Great American Educators” for
Orchestra, Gospel Choir and Jazz Quintet.
Classical High Jazz Band
Commission: Springfield Arts Festival, “Celebration
of Family, Community and the Life of Primus
Mason” for Chamber Orchestra, Gospel Choir, and
Jazz Quartet. 1996.
Composing/
Arranging
(continued)
CD recording: “Just Feeling,” McCoy Tyner.
CD recording: “Twinkling of an Eye,” John Blake.
CD recording: “Fresh Start,” Jeri Brown.
Litchfield Jazz Camp—Bass ensemble
University of Massachusetts—Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Concordia University—Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Amherst College—Jazz Ensemble
Allentown High Jazz Band
Performance
Experience
Avery Sharpe Group
McCoy Tyner Trio (member 18 years)
George Benson
Commission: Chamber Music Plus/Fideleo. 1) “Henry
F. William’s Suite” for Classical Trio; 2) “Trust” for
Classical Quartet; 3) “Oscar Pettiford Suite” for Jazz
Trio and Cello; 4) “Raisin’ Cane”—a musical portrait
for trio and actor, featuring Jasmine Guy.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Film Score: “An Unremarkable Life,” starring
Patricia Neal and Shelly Winters.
Dizzy Gillespie
Cab Callaway
Freddie Hubbard
Archie Shepp
Young Lions of Jazz (which included Wynton Marsalis,
Bobby McFerrin, Kevin Eubanks, Ronnie Burrage, John
Blake,Chico Freeman, James Newton, John Purcell,
Paquito D’Rivera, Hamiet Bluiett, Craig Harris, Abdul
Wadud, Jay Hoggard, Anthony Davis, Fred Hopkins and
Daniel Ponce)
Film Score: “Lydia,”starring Jenny Chrisinger.
CD recording: “Live at Fraser Performance Studio,
WGBH.”
CD recording: “Musical Selections from Raisin’
Cane.”
CD recording: “Autumn Moonlight,”Avery Sharpe.
Keynote
Performances
Athens, Greece—Avery Sharpe Group
Cali, Columbia—Avery Sharpe Group
CD recording: “Legends and Mentors,” music of
McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.
Lima, Peru—Avery Sharpe Group
CD recording: “Dragon Fly,”Avery Sharpe.
Springfield, Mass.—Avery Sharpe Group, Extended
Family Choir, and Chamber Orchestra
Brasilia, Brasil—Avery Sharpe Group
CD recording: “Extended Family,” Avery Sharpe.
CD recording: “Extended Family II: Thoughts of My
Ancestors,” Avery Sharpe.
Melbourne, Australia—McCoy Tyner
CD recording: “Extended Family III: Family Values,”
Avery Sharpe.
JVC Jazz Festivals—various around USA and Europe
with McCoy Tyner and Michael Brecker
CD recording: “Epic Ebony Journey,” John Blake/
Avery Sharpe Duo.
CD recording: “McCoy Tyner Latin AllStars,”
McCoy Tyner.
CD recording: “Zeus,” Jeri Brown.
CD recording: “Journey,” McCoy Tyner Big Band
(GrammyAward Winner).
St. Louis Senegal—with McCoy Tyner
Teaching
Experience
(present)
Williams College Music Department (Williamstown,
Mass.)—Bass
Instructor, Small Ensemble Coach
University of Mass.—Revolutionary Concepts in
African-American Music
Avery Sharpe
Résumé (continued)
Educational
Workshops
and Clinics
Litchfield Jazz Camp (Kent, CT.) ensembles
instructor, theory instructor, master classes
Jazz in July (ensembles and master classes), University
of Massachusetts
Williams College—Big Band adjudicator
Concordia University-Montreal,
Canada—composition/arranging
S. Melbourne Australia
Bogota Columbia University—History of Jazz
Lima Peru
Brasilia Brazil
Berklee School of Music—Bass Clinic
Hampshire College
Bates College
Univ. of Miami—Bass Clinic
Howard Univ.
Duke Ellington School of Music-Wash. DC—History
of Jazz
Springfield School Systems—History of Jazz
Boston School Systems
Drummer Collective, N.Y.C.—Bass Clinic
Concord Community School—Concord NH
Special
Projects
National Endowment for the Arts—Inter-Arts
Panelist, 1990 and 1993
Meet the Composer—Panelist, 1997
American Composers Forum—Panelist, 1998
Connecticut Arts Council—Panelist, composers, 2002
Rhode Island Arts Council—Panelist, composers,
2004
Produced/administered 6-hour video program for
Springfield, MA cable TV, “Springfield’s Finest Jazz
and Blues Greats.” Live performances, interviews,
and historical perspective of Springfield, MA. Jazz
and Blues Musicians. Included Phil Woods, Taj
Mahal, Charles Greenlee, Avery Sharpe, and others.
Awards
NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Special Achievement
Award
New England Foundation for the Arts “Achievement
in Jazz Award,” 1997
Grant
Awards
Received matching fund special projects—Rouse Arts
in the Marketplace and National Endowment for the
Arts for 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988
Massachusetts Arts Lottery Grants—1985 and 1986
National Endowment for the Arts Performance
Grants, 1981 and 1983
Recording
Click on "Discography" above.
Record
Company
Owner/Executive Producer at JKNM Records,
established in 1994
Education
1978–1981—Completed one year towards Masters of
Music. University of Massachusetts.
1972–1976—B.A. in Economics, Minor in Music.
University of Massachusetts.
Musician/Composer/Educator/Producer
Discography
As a Leader
“Running Man,” JKNM Records
“Live” at Fraser Performance Studios, WGBH-JKNM Records
“Musical Selections from Raisin’ Cane,” JKNM Records
“Autumn Moonlight,” JKNM Records
“Legends and Mentors: Music of McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp and
Yusef Lateef,” JKNM Records
“Dragon Fly,” JKNM Records
“Extended Family III: Family Values,” JKNM Records
“Extended Family II: Thoughts of My Ancestors,” JKNM Records
“Extended Family,” JKNM Records
“Epic Ebony Journey,” Sharpe/Blake Duo, JKNM Records
“Unspoken Words,” Sunnyside Records
With McCoy Tyner
“McCoy Tyner and the Latin AllStars,” Telarc Records
“Infinity,” Impulse Records (Grammy Award Winner)
“Journey,” Verve Records (Grammy Award Winner)
“Turning Point,” Verve Records (Grammy Award Winner)
“Remembering John,” Enja Records
“Blue Bossa,” LRC LTD
“Double Exposure,” LRC LTD
“Live at the Musician Exchange Cafe,” Allegiance Records
“Solar,” Sweet Basil/Alfa Record
“Key of Sol,” Sweet Basil/Alfa Records
“Live at Sweet Basil” I and II, King Records
“Uptown/Downtown Big Band: Live at the Blue Note,”
FantasyRecord
“Bon Voyage,” McCoy Tyner/Avery Sharpe/Louis Hayes, Vim Vigt
“Double Trios,” Denon Records
“Just Feeling,” Palo Alto Records
“New York-Montreau Connection,” Columbia Records
“The Legend of the of the Hour (La Leyenda de la Hora),”Columbia
Records
With Frank Morgan: “Frank’s Back,” Contemporary Records
With Archie Shepp: “The Good Life,” Varick Records
“Attica Blues-Live at Palais des Glaces,” Blue Marge Record
With John Blake: “Twinkling of an Eye,” Grammavision
With David Matthews: “Jazz Ballads with Strings,” Alfa Records
With Steve Grossman: “In New York,” Disques Dreyfus
With Vacca/Moran: “Dance Beneath the Diamond Sky,” Columbia
Records
With Jeri Brown: “Fresh Start,” Just In Time Records
“Zeus,” Just In Time Records
“I’ve Got Your Number,” Just In Time Records
“Tryptec,” Just In Time Records
“ Firm Roots,” Just In Time Records
With Marc Puricelli: “The Shade,” Music Masters
“Melting Point,” Music Masters
“Desire,” Music Masters
With Yusef Lateef: “Plays Ballads,” YAL Records
“Yusef Lateef and Ralph Jones III Woodwinds,” YAL Records
“Tenors of Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp,” YAL Records
“Tenors of Yusef Lateef and Ricky Ford,” YAL Records
“Metamorphosis,” YAL Records
“Tenors featuring Rene McLean,” YAL Records
“Full Circle,” YAL Records
With Chico Freeman: “Oh By the Way” Quataca
With the Young Lions: “Kool Jazz Festival 1982 Live at Carnegie
Hall,” Electra Musician Records