Biography

Andy Sheppard

Thousands of listeners across the country and around the world tune into Andy Sheppards popular nightly jazz program, After Hours on CBC Radio Two. And thousands more have experienced his engaging musical performances at venues and festivals from Quebec to British Columbia, from North Carolina to the South Pacific.

He is a protégé of Don Ross and Pierre Bensusan, two of the best guitarists in the world.

Andy is completely immersed and surrounded by music. All day, everyday.

a true instrumental virtuoso - jeff robson umfm radio - winnipeg

Andy Sheppard is an original. He combines influences from around the world, all performed with a remarkable guitar technique. The result is a vibrant musical palette, with songs that range from blistering show-stoppers, to the most delicate and beautiful melodies from exotic places and cultures.

andy throws a party everytime he picks up his guitar stephanie hodnett, parlo.com

Andy is not just a great guitarist and songwriter, but hes also a fine raconteur. He brings stories and humour to all of his performances. From launching rockets and dodging bandits in South East Asia, to living through earthquakes and performing for school children in Vanuatu, Andy spins some seriously entertaining tales of musical adventure in every show.

"it's as if the central american influences of bruce cockburn met the drums of the south sea islands" - peter bowman - dundas review

In December 2005, Andy is releasing his long-awaited third album. The new CD brings together many of the styles he has encountered in his musical travels. Songs inspired by the folk music of Appalachia, traditional Samba in Brazil, the Palm Wine guitar music of Sierra Leone, the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Haiti, and the unstoppable rhythms of Zimbabwe.

"a strong but nuanced sense of pulse and a gift for lovely melodies" - guitar player magazine

Andy is a technical wizard on guitar, but thats not the end game. I much prefer music that touches the heart and soul to music thats gratuitously complex or showy. Give me melody, give me emotion, give me danceable grooves. The technique should only be there to serve the music.

Borealis Records is including music from Andys new album on the third volume of their successful Six Strings North of the Border compilation. Andy joins the ranks of great Canadian guitarists such as Kevin Breit, Harry Manx, and Alpha Ya Ya Diallo on this edition in the series. Past compilations have featured Bruce Cockburn, Don Ross, Colin Linden, and Stephen Fearing. Six Strings North of the Border, vol. 3 is slated for international release in early December 2005.


"this is fine playing... if andy comes to your town, watch for him" - margaret isaacs - cbc radio, halifax

When hes not on the air, Andy is on the road. He has performed at intimate clubs in tiny rural communities, and major venues and festivals in Canadas biggest cities. The Ottawa Folk Festival, The Festival of the Guitar (Winnipeg, MB) Under The Volcano Festival (Nelson, BC). The Festival of Friends (Hamilton, ON), Mariposa (Toronto, ON), and many others. Andy has recently completed a mini tour of Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with Cate Friesen and Michael Johnston, and is planning a Canadian and European tour for 2006.

Bio:

Andy studied composition and jazz guitar at McGill University in Montreal. During his studies, he received a Canada Council composition grant for travels in Vanuatu, a small archipelago in the South Pacific. He lived in traditional villages and traveled from island to island searching for rare indigenous music. His interest in world music continued with adventures in North Africa, South East Asia, and Europe.

Andy received several grants from the Toronto and Ontario Arts Councils, resulting in three recordings: Eclectic Guitar (1995), Swimming (in Realtime) (1999), and his new, self-titled album (2005).

He has composed music for several short and feature-length films, including Long Hot Summer, and Running Towards Tomorrow (for Bravo Television) by Toronto Director Matt Hilliard-Forde.

Andys career at CBC Radio includes appearances as a correspondent, reporting on extraordinary musical events from Laos, Vanuatu, France, and Canada, on the program Global Village. Andy has been a regular music contributor on Torontos number one morning show, Metro Morning, the national pop culture show Definitely Not The Opera, and a writer and producer on programs such as Music and Company, In Performance, and Global Village. He has performed his music in a live national broadcast of the CBC Tsunami Relief Concert.

Since his debut as a network host on After Hours on CBC Radio Two in 2003, listeners across the country have come to appreciate his warm, engaging approach to music. Andy has interviewed many well-known musicians and personalities including Tony Bennett, Oscar Peterson, Randy Bachman, Thomas Mapfumo, Branford Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Pepe Romero, Madeleine Peyroux, Gordon Lightfoot, The Rheostatics, Liona Boyd, and many others.

He says of both of his careers, I just want to share great music with as many people as I can, whether through my live performances or on my radio show. Its all about coming together and connecting though songs and stories. What could be better?

For information and updates, visit the newly launched www.andysheppard.com. For booking inquiries, email info@andysheppard.com or call 416-995-0930.