This is the core of my music—exciting, jazzy, rich sounds in wealthy scape’s of lyrical aptitude. Please attend and be prepared to be inspired by the ambiance, the art, dishes of edible delights, fantastic hosts, and fine music! Experience it.
the tin angel is located at 365 W 400 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 328-4155
Reservations are recommended for all my shows.

Stay “tuned” for my newest song and article. Subscribe to my articles and be the first to get them.

-Shannon

Extreme musical improv, and you?

I ran into Mr. Avery at Big Ed’s, a local diner; he popped his head in, sat down with his friend, commented how big my son Ronan was getting, and began to fill us in about how grad school was going. He told me that in his communication class they discussed how every human interaction was improv. I thought that’s it! That is: I converse musically in an improvisational way.

I don’t write sheet music; it’s all by ear. I read and play jazz music and I think I enjoy the essence of the unknown in music. So essentially I memorize my stuff, and it’s complex because of all the layering I do.  When I perform, I know the basic premise of the tune, but the rest I make up on the spot.  I wouldn’t have any other way. The process keeps my mind alive.

I just recorded a song called

All I Want is You

I listened to it and realized that I’m sniffing again—sniffing out rhythms. I’ve been doing it since I was a child. Using my breath as a staccato metronome, I sniff the beat. I make up rhythms using my nose by puffing my breath though it. If you listen carefully to the baseline, you can hear it.

I’ve been really inspired by Bobby McFerrin, the view from my condo, and really taking a deep look at what is important in my life.  That’s how this song was born.

All I Want is You

…sums it up.  When I comes down to it, my family, my deep loves, are what keep me going.  The view of the mountains helps my mind expand while I compose.  Mr. McFerrin’s layering voice directly inspires me; it’s like the trail head post that reads—this way, unknown music ahead.

I have an album coming out May 1, 2009 called Blooming Songs. Expect to see an article here for each song, so stay tuned by subscribing to my article feed, and leave a comment if you feel inspired.  Thanks for reading! So take a listen (click-on the big triangle after the song), I hope you love it.

The first line goes:

It’s the extraordinary that I find in the ordinary

One of the offered insights was that this song was directly correlated with the artist experience. Artists find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Essentially an artist observes life and discovers it’s nature through their own direct experience with it. For example Da Vinci watched water in a stream, trying intently to capture what the movement of liquid looks like on a static page, amist discovering the water’s nature and disposition. Art comes out of observing and experiencing life and our own interpretation of it.

I paint with sound. I use a technique called looping. And like water in a stream, I discovered the nature of looping and layering my own voice. I added sound where it needed more color and body, and I also limited sound to add variety and simplicity.

I am working on a full length CD recording called Blooming Songs. I work daily on a body of art and sound that keeps growing and giving. Blooming.

This work is art. I sing with color, feeling and intention. I revel that I’ve caught something universal and powerful in my song and that others deeply relate to it.  I sing of the artist’s mundane magic: the extraordinary in the ordinary. I can’t ask for more! Thanks Shasta, Shawn and Tim for attending, your presents and deep artistic nature are a true gift.

Please listen to— Extraordinary

Purchase this song on Discography. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!

Flourishing, Nourishing

The Tea Grotto flourished last thursday night for KUER’s fall fundraiser.  Rebecca Sheeran hosted delightful tea and chocolate parings.  The cast of the radio show attended.  I had the opportunity to meet the jazziest voice on the radio, Steve Williams.

The chocolates were crafted by Katie and Stephen Hatch of Hatch Family Chocolates, they were simple, yet decadent delights.  Some of the Tea Pairings included ~

• Mint Chocolate Truffle with Jasmine Silver Tips Green Tea
• Thick Dark Chocolate Draping Fresh Raspberries with Strawberry-Lemon Tea
• Sliced Polenta Topped in Fresh Pesto, Pine Nuts, and Greens with Genmaicha
• Chocolate Rum Nut with Marsala Chai Tea

I entertained the guests for the evening. I played classic jazz and my original compositions.

Blooming, Flourishing

All in all—the night was successful and inspiring! It’s amazing when folks get together, sharing their talents and gifts, offering them to each other, like flowers.  It was a very generous evening, in that it couldn’t have been successful without the generousity of all whom attended.

The Tea Grotto is an enlightening spot in Salt Lake City. After you have a cup of tea and enjoy the calming enviroment, I just feel good, naturally good.

Thank you Rebecca for the beautiful evening, KUER for the fun and Hatch Chocolates for your confections.

Please leave a comment of your experience of this event!

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Deya Dova is this week’s Artist Extraordinaire! A powerful vocalist from Australia, she loops her vocals, creating harmonies with herself. She revels in the World Music genre. She’s tuned to herself and to her environment. Her live shows mix performance art and Shamanism.

Please check her out.

Deya Dove Live!

Click here to view the embedded video.