Currently plays with: Justin Perdue (Guitar)
Jeremy Harlos (Upright Bass) .............
Formerly played with: "Omega 3" (Rich Prouty-organ, Rob Phillips-guitar), "Dad" (Ian Alexy-Guitar, Josh Stumpff-Sax, Dave Rodriguez-Bass)
Influences
TOO MANY..... Animal (from the Muppets), George Jetson, Mickey Dolenze, Eric Idol and Python, Chevy Chase, cigaretts, General Patton, Mom, Sulemana Abu, Bob Gullotti, Bob Moses, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, Brian Blade, Billy Martin, Earl "Buster" Smith, .....on and on and on....
Sounds Like
A person who plays Drumset, as well as: Congas, Djembes, Kpanlogo, Kidi, Lunbila, Luntitale, Gun-gon, Maman, Segon, Boula, Shakers, Handclaps, Car Keys, Roof of Vehicles, etc. etc.
As a young child Travis was exposed to a myriad of different musical styles. From the gospel church he attended in Houston TX, to the bluegrass played by his father and cousins and on to the mythic acid jazz and swing drumming of his uncle and grandfather, all of which served to shape Travis’ tastes and direction as a performer.
Travis began playing violin in the second grade as a mandatory class while attending public school in Harwich MA. After a stint of advanced private lessons, and no bluegrass fiddle teachers around, Travis decided that his path involved a more percussive route and began playing drums in the fifth grade. Travis like most early students began with concert snare, and Timpani. From here he was able to experiment with drum set and ensemble playing.
Travis began private lessons with noted studio and session drummer Martin Vasquez in the eighth grade and through high school in Yarmouth MA. From here Travis was able to gain the roots of what would become his unique voice on the drums.
While attending Goddard College, Under the tutelage of Don Glasgo (Director of Dartmouth College’s Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble), Travis was introduced to , and performed with, many noted jazz artists including: (late) Lester Bowie(Art Ensemble of Chicago, Digable Planets), Karl Berger (vibes), Tim Greene (saxophone), Michael Ray (Kool and the Gang, Sun-RA), Marshall Allen (Sun-RA), John Ore (Thelonious Monk), and Bob Moses (Pat Metheney, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius). Travis also played professionally throughout the Northeast with a quartet called “Dad” and various be-bop ensembles. These performances led to many musical relationships with area musicians including a bill with Maceo Parker.
Travis has studied privately with jazz drummers Bob Gullotti and Bob Moses of Boston MA, as well as Haitian drummer Fritz “juju” Joseph, Guinean drummer Mohammed “joh” Cammara, and the virtuoso Dagbamba drummers: Sulemana Abu and Baba Alhassan (In Tamale, Ghana),
Travis regularly accompanies folkloric dance troupes and classes in both MA and VT which has led to collaborations with Jean Appollon of the Haitian National Ballet, as well acclaimed dancer Wyoma of Boston MA. Travis also has a standing membership and involvement with the Agbekor Drum and Dance Society founded by David Locke of Tufts University, following his overseas travel to Ghana, West Africa.
Travis currently teaches or has taught at: The Cape Cod Conservatory of Music (Barnstable, MA), The Academy of Performing Arts (Orleans MA), The Sandwich Community School, The Green Mountain Suzuki Institute, The Vermont Independent School of the Arts, The Rochester Chamber Music Society, and the Village School of Hancock and Granville VT. Travis is presently teaching Middle Eastern drumming to students in Norwich, VT.
Travis lives in Rochester, VT with his wife Hannah and son Thelonious.
Recent youtube of Justin Perdue, Jeremy Harlos, and Travis Shores' music for a brewers guild DVD Below
