Altus Artists: Bob Sheppard

"The Altus flute is even-sounding throughout the registers, the scale's great and it's responsive... I don't have another flute that does what it does." - Bob Sheppard

Bob Sheppard, after receiving a Master’s Degree from Eastman School of Music, quickly established himself as one of the most highly respected and well-established improvising artists on the music scene today. Complimenting his success as an international jazz artist he is also in high demand in Los Angeles for session work in many music studios, having recorded more than 100 television and movie soundtracks. A musician who meets the highly disciplined requirements of session work with equal artistry in all musical situations and styles, he has built a career consisting of many long term collaborations with leading and respective artists. In addition to being an accomplished flutist he is an impressive multi-instrumentalist playing saxophones, clarinet, and bass clarinet. His compositions are equally noteworthy and are further evidence of his consummate musicianship. Bob’s solo recording debut “Tell Tale Signs” (Windham Hill Jazz), was produced by Steely Dan’s Walter Becker. His compositions reflect a uniquely personal style influenced by historical jazz figures John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, and Stan Getz in addition to many of the notable jazz artists with whom he has performed.

Acknowledged for his musical spontaneity, his dramatic playing style reveals a warm and centered tone that fluctuates through tonal ranges of dark intensities to lyrical sensitivity. His inspiring and often zen-like approach to music accents performances with his own personal twist, making him a desirable and creative collaborator.

Currently a member of the Peter Erskine Trio, he has also toured with Chick Corea's "Origin" for two years and is featured on Chick Corea's Grammy nominated CD "Change". Over the past 20 years he has performed and maintained many of his associations and ongoing collaborations with the following artists: Freddie Hubbard, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Horace Silver, Lyle Mays, Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band, Billy Childs, and Nat Adderley. His versatile musicianship has extended to Pop CDs with Steely Dan, Rickie Lee Jones, Manhattan Transfer, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, and Randy Newman; including Jazz CDs with artists Scott Henderson, Michael Franks, Walter Becker, as well as vocalists Marilyn Scott, Diane Reeves, Kurt Elling and Natalie Cole. In summer 2000 he was a featured soloist with Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now Tour" & Steely Davis World Tour 2000.

Bob Sheppard enjoys teaching as well, and is affiliated with the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. For information on jazz clinics and concerts, please contact Bob Sheppard at:

Tel: 818-762-3641, Fax: 818-762-1406

email bobsheppard@bobsheppard.net

or visit his website at www.bobsheppard.net