shannon butcher sings

Cross Training - Lesson #4

Some times when you're on the trail you come upon a Cheese Boutique.  This can lead to both fantastic and disastrous consequences.

Celebrating Little Hearts at Hugh's Room

 

I'm very excited about my upcoming CD release party at Hugh's Room.  Hugh's is an amazing venue that offers great sound, a warm vibe, fantastic food and over 200 best seats in the house!  Richie Havens, Judy Collins and Jon Hendricks are just a few of the world class musicians who have graced the stage at Hugh's so I'm honoured to be holding my CD launch party there on June 2nd.  I'd be even more honoured if you, yes YOU, would join me! 

The Luscious Lena Horne

There are a select number of singers who made the seamless transition from a classical voice to the world of jazz.  Cleo Laine is one and I would add Lena Horne to the list too.

Both of these amazing vocalists proved that you don't need a certain type of voice to sing jazz but you do need a level of musicianship and an approach to the material that makes your audience's souls swing.  A rhythm that comes from within and reaches out through the microphone to a set our ears alive with luscious vibrations.

I heard today that Lena Horne passed away on the weekend.  I thank her for all she gave to the world of music and to the fight for human rights.

The Cover Is No Longer Undercover!

Back in February I told you I was starting to think about the cover for my new album. 

As much as I'm a planner, I'm still an improvising jazz musician at heart, so it wasn't until I received the link to the online photo gallery from my shot with Emma-Lee that I could truly complete my vision for the CD. (Once upon a time there were contact sheets for photo shoots.  Remember when photos were printed on paper?  Weird.)

But now, the photos are chosen.  The artwork is complete.  And my CD Little Hearts has a brand spanking new CD pack to call home:

Looking forward to spending some time on air with Terry McElligott to support my favourite jazz station!

Cross Training - Lesson #3

Once you make it up the hill you get to run down the other side!

Strike a Pose

I'm not going to lie to you.  At times I'm a very girlie girl.  I sigh contented sighs when I'm in Lululemon. I can spend hours in Shoppers Drug Mart. And I swoon over cute guitar boys.

My girlie girlness is never more apparent then when I'm preparing for a photo shoot.  Trying on dresses, new shoes and jewels.  Then there's the hair and make up.  Recalling all of the pearls of wisdom Tyra Banks has shared with me over the cycles of America's Next Top Model.

This February I really had to put my smeyesing skills to the test as I had two photo shoots!  One for my new CD artwork and one for Rosemarie Umetsu's upcoming Iconic Beauty exhibition at the Contact Photography Festival.

I was certainly spoiled in the clothing department.  First, Fashion Crimes, the utterly fabulous dress shop on Queen Street West, styled me for my CD pics.  After an initial visit to the store with my former bandmate, the ever stylish, Chantelle Wilson, I returned for a super fun afternoon with Frankie of Fashion Crimes putting together some looks.  The dresses, the jewellery - so beautiful!  

One week later I was coiffed and ready to play at Rosemarie's Atelier on Avenue.  Rosemarie has an amazing ability to synthesize sophistication and edge. I'm the proud owner of two of her designs that I often wear when I perform. For this photo shoot I modeled one of the dresses from her latest spring line.  I'd show you a picture but I'm sworn to secrecy.  I will say there is black lace and tulle involved.

A big thank you to the wonderful photographers who brought their keen and artistic eyes behind the lens: Emma-Lee of Stripped Media and Tara McMullen!

Make up artist: Jessica Lloyd

Stay tuned for the reveal of the final shots!

A new jazz podcast to check out! http://musicdiscovery.cdbabypodcast.com/?p=706

A day at Joao Carvalho's mastering studio is a good day!

In the studio working on the final mixes with Marc Rogers!!