Shepherd was born in Walthamstow, London, England, to Cecilia (nee Sadgrove), a machinist, and Joseph Shepherd, a semi-professional piano player whose other job was working for the local gas company.[2]
He began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16 in 1945. He studied under a clarinettist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg after World War II. Upon his return to England he played with Reg Rigden (1950), Joe Daniels and his 'Hotshots' (1951–53), and Freddy Randall (1954–55).[3] He played with Billie Holiday[3] and Gerry Mulligan on their tours of Britain. He played in New York City in 1956 with Ted Kotick, then returned to England to play with Jazz Today Unit (1956–57) and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic (1957). He also played with Mary Lou Williams several times in the 1950s.[4]
In the 1960s and 1970s, he played with Randall again and with Teddy Wilson, as well as at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and in South Africa in 1975. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Shepherd was heard a lot more on radio with his quartet used on BBC Radio 2's Jimmy Young programme as well as Round Midnight, Breakfast Special and Music While You Work.[4]
Shepherd's career was centred in the UK, and he worked regularly with trombone player Roy Williams, Len Skeat and many more. He was a frequent guest with his line up called The Dave Shepherd Quintet on BBC Radio 1's Sounds of Jazz, introduced by the presenter Peter Clayton during the mid 1970s and broadcast on Sunday evenings. The sessions were recorded at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios earlier in the week. Shepherd based his style on Benny Goodman and was praised for his accuracy and "unfailing swing and a quality of musical elegance".[1]
He performed with Peter Boizot's Pizza Express All Stars Band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club from 1980 to 1999.[1] He led several of his own bands, and has done extensive work producing music for film and television. Shepherd continued to solo and make guest appearances until shortly before his death on 15 December 2016, in the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital, Hampshire. Shepherd has been described by fellow jazz musician Digby Fairweather as "Britain's greatest swing clarinettist since 1948".[5]
Personal life
Shepherd was married twice. At first to the jazz vocalist Jo Searle, with whom he had a daughter Rochelle, which ended in divorce.[4] In 1966, aged 37, he married his second wife, Mary Evans.[4] Both Evans and Rochelle survive him.{[4]
dave, shepherd, david, joseph, shepherd, february, 1929, december, 2016, english, jazz, clarinettist, bandleader, birth, namedavid, joseph, shepherdborn, 1929, february, 1929walthamstow, london, englanddied15, december, 2016, 2016, aged, hampshire, englandgenr. David Joseph Shepherd 7 February 1929 15 December 2016 1 was an English jazz clarinettist and bandleader Dave ShepherdBirth nameDavid Joseph ShepherdBorn 1929 02 07 7 February 1929Walthamstow London EnglandDied15 December 2016 2016 12 15 aged 87 Hampshire EnglandGenresJazzSwingOccupation s ClarinettistBandleaderInstrument s Clarinet Contents 1 Biography 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditShepherd was born in Walthamstow London England to Cecilia nee Sadgrove a machinist and Joseph Shepherd a semi professional piano player whose other job was working for the local gas company 2 He began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16 in 1945 He studied under a clarinettist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg after World War II Upon his return to England he played with Reg Rigden 1950 Joe Daniels and his Hotshots 1951 53 and Freddy Randall 1954 55 3 He played with Billie Holiday 3 and Gerry Mulligan on their tours of Britain He played in New York City in 1956 with Ted Kotick then returned to England to play with Jazz Today Unit 1956 57 and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic 1957 He also played with Mary Lou Williams several times in the 1950s 4 In the 1960s and 1970s he played with Randall again and with Teddy Wilson as well as at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and in South Africa in 1975 During the late 1960s and early 1970s Shepherd was heard a lot more on radio with his quartet used on BBC Radio 2 s Jimmy Young programme as well as Round Midnight Breakfast Special and Music While You Work 4 Shepherd s career was centred in the UK and he worked regularly with trombone player Roy Williams Len Skeat and many more He was a frequent guest with his line up called The Dave Shepherd Quintet on BBC Radio 1 s Sounds of Jazz introduced by the presenter Peter Clayton during the mid 1970s and broadcast on Sunday evenings The sessions were recorded at the BBC s Maida Vale Studios earlier in the week Shepherd based his style on Benny Goodman and was praised for his accuracy and unfailing swing and a quality of musical elegance 1 He performed with Peter Boizot s Pizza Express All Stars Band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club from 1980 to 1999 1 He led several of his own bands and has done extensive work producing music for film and television Shepherd continued to solo and make guest appearances until shortly before his death on 15 December 2016 in the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital Hampshire Shepherd has been described by fellow jazz musician Digby Fairweather as Britain s greatest swing clarinettist since 1948 5 Personal life EditShepherd was married twice At first to the jazz vocalist Jo Searle with whom he had a daughter Rochelle which ended in divorce 4 In 1966 aged 37 he married his second wife Mary Evans 4 Both Evans and Rochelle survive him 4 References EditFootnotes a b c Dave Shepherd Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved 1 August 2021 Heritage plaque placed at former home of acclaimed clarinettist Guardian series co uk Retrieved 1 August 2021 a b Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Who s Who of Jazz First ed Guinness Publishing p 360 ISBN 0 85112 580 8 a b c d e Vacher Peter Dave Shepherd obituary The Guardian Retrieved 28 December 2016 PREVIEW INTERVIEW Dave Shepherd NJA Fundraiser Loughton 11th April Londonjazznews com 26 March 2015 Retrieved 1 August 2021 General referencesMark Gilbert Dave Shepherd Grove Jazz online External links EditDave Shepherd Discography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dave Shepherd amp oldid 1123893640, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
