Sharada Banman began her musical studies in Alberta receiving a Diploma in Music from Red Deer College, she then moved to Montreal where she completed a Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies at Concordia University. This spring 2007 she realized a dream of attaining a Masters degree in Music at Laval University in Quebec City where she studied with renowned Canadian jazz vocalist Ranee Lee. With funding from the Conseil des arts et des Letters du Quebec Sharada was also able to study privately in New York with Nancy Marano, voice teacher at the Manhattan school of Music, and the ledgendary jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan. In 1997 Sharada was awarded a FACTOR grant to record and produced her first album ‘Listen to your Heart’.
Sharada uses her knowledge of the jazz standard as her foundation in creating new and innovative original music, bringing the skills of a singer song writer to the jazz setting. The music is based firmly in the jazz idiom with hints of modern influence. Looking towards Betty Carter and Carmen McRae as inspiration in their interpretations of the jazz standard Sharada applies the same ideology in her arrangements of her original music. Her style is energetic, aggressive and exciting, while possessing the maturity to perform a sultry ballad.
Sharada has found herself as part of musical groups with such great artists as Jeff Johnston, Dave Turner, Geoff Lapp, Greg Clayton, and Julie Lamontagne, working hard on the Montreal scene. You may have seen her at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, or perhaps one of Montreal well known jazz clubs ‘The House of Jazz’ or ‘Upstairs’. Since completing her Masters degree she has devoted much of her free time to writing original music and working towards a new CD to be released in the spring of 2008 on Effendi records.
Compositionally she has attained success writing with two of Montréal’s great jazz musicians Paul Shrofel and Greg Clayton. Most notably her collaboration with Paul Shrofel ‘So Long You Fool’ can be heard on rising Canadian Jazz artist Sophie Milman’s new record ‘Make Someone Happy’.
I believed in studying just because I knew education was a privilege. It was the discipline of study, to get into the habit of doing something that you don't want to do. Wynton Marsalis
Hey Sharada, It's been too long. Great to hear your music, you sound beautiful as always. Lisa says hi and we'll be in montreal for the Festival with the kids in tow. How about eggspectations again? Joel.
Sharada Banman on myspace, and not only that, you have a great site! Although I can't believe that Jeff beat me to the comments. Music and you as always, sound great. See you soon. Oh yeah, no Universal in BC, it's kind of tough.
heh heh heh..I get to make the first comment. Well finally...welcome to the 'space' girl. Music sounds great! I'm hitting the rock tomorrow so a big Merry Xmas to you and Paul!! See you in oh-eight...
