On Recordings:
Ross MacIntyre - bass,
Michael Shand - piano,
Mark McLean - drums,
William Sperandei - trumpet,
Daniel Stone - percussion
Influences
In no particular order: Blossom Dearie, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Bjork, Ani Difranco, Radiohead, June Christy, Nina Simone, Gwen Stefani, The Police, Sting, Annie Lennox, Sarah Vaughan, Brad Mehldau, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Duran Duran, Chet Baker, Holly Cole, Ute Lemper, Jo-Anne Bentley
If you want to define the musical essence of Shannon Butcher's new debut solo album, Words We Both Could Say, imagine jazz, pop and rock living in perfect harmony.
Following a glorious five-year run as a member of the acclaimed Swing Rosie, Butcher now offers ten dynamic interpretations of modern hits like Tears For Fears' "Mad World" and Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman."
These are more than just dramatic contrasts: they're a new chapter of expression in Butcher's expanding vocabulary as a jazz interpreter and performer.
"Jazz isn’t about one label or style; it’s not about one person or time," says Butcher. "It’s about the freedom to bring together all of your experiences and sing in the moment using every aspect of your musical personality."
Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Shannon Butcher has been singing since the age of six. Influenced by her parents' Frank Sinatra music collection, Butcher learned jazz at Cawthra Park Arts High School, inspired in part by a performing visit from future international superstar Diana Krall.
Later, Butcher pursued post-secondary classical music studies at the University of Toronto. Vocal lessons with Jo-Anne Bentley, Elaine Overholt and former Nylons singer Micah Barnes -- as well as piano lessons from Frank Falco -- also helped Butcher find her signature style. But it was her run with Swing Rosie, an Andrews Sisters-styled trio formed with Kira Callahan and Chantelle Wilson, that first brought Shannon Butcher to public attention.
Swing Rosie released one album, Sing Cool, Swing Hot, that was added to the rotations of JAZZ FM91, CBC Radio and AM740 and topped Canadian campus radio charts all across the country. Swing Rosie also enjoyed a regular residency at Toronto's revered The Rex, appeared on Breakfast Television and grew a following in Europe, Japan, Australia and south of the border.
Swing Rosie probably could have lasted forever, but the trio felt it was time to transition from the '40s to their individual muses, enabling Butcher to arrange and record Words We Both Could Say and appear in such high profile events as the recent Oscar Peterson Tribute Concert, where she shared the stage with Molly Johnson, David Braid and Sophie Milman.
Released on Butcher's own Summer Bloom Records, Words We Both Could Say is an open door invitation to fuse styles and transcend expectations.
"I love the idea of reaching that person who maybe doesn't think of jazz as the music that they listen to," Butcher explains. "When they hear a song that they know, like 'Mad World'...I hope the lyrics will take on a new meaning because the style gives it a new inflection.
"There's a different kind of freedom in jazz, and that's the whole reason I do it, to reveal a little more of myself," she notes.
"I just wanted to bring myself through all of these songs and through these words and amazing melodies and changes.”
"One of my favourite parts of jazz is that it's different every time, and you're always in the moment with the people that you're playing with, so it's about what they're playing underneath you and the exchange of ideas between yourself and them."
Words We Both Could Say represents Shannon Butcher's present and future with an irresistible and spontaneous collection of music.
Purchase your copy of Words We Both Could Say online now at www.shannonbutcher.com
Hi Shannon, Wow!! Such wonderful music! Your voice is so strong and articulate! I really enjoy your style of singing!! You have been blessed immensely with talent! Much respect! Talk soon! :)
new stuff sounds awesome Shannon, just awesome. Your voice is so soulful. Wish you would change the font size on this comment section - it's way too small, or maybe I'm getting old. - Greg
Hey Shannon! I love the new tracks. They sound GREAT! It was funny running into you/Swing Rosie, we were passing through and we saw the poster. Good timing I guess. Hope to see you soon.
Hey Shannon! The new tracks are great...love the way IMAWBS builds, and Mad World is lots of fun. Looking forward to the release of your album. Hope to see you at Girls Night :D
Hey Shannon, sorry I missed you last weekend in Toronto! Hey, I'm seeing Swing Rosie all over the place, congrats on all the gigs! Please say hi to everybody for me. :)
shannon,
it's great to see you / hear you doing your thing, both solo and with swing rosie. i look forward to coming out to a show sometime soon.
i hope all is well with you.
farheen
