Marlowe Shepherd
Marlowe Shepherd is an American recording artist and performer. From being a street performer, he now focuses on long-term residencies in iconic venues across the world, including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, New York, and London. He has performed in New Orleans, Savannah, Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Louisville and shared the stage in supporting the likes of Maceo Parker, and Dr. John. He performs around three hundred nights a year.
Can you give us a brief resume of your music and background?
My first instrument was the flute, and I trained classically through my early years. I credit this training for teaching me how to sing through breath control, intonation, phrasing, etc. My real training came as a street performer in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Those years of cutting my teeth and figuring out what I wanted to do were vital and humbling for certain. Over the last fifteen years I’ve been performing solo on tour, just guitar and vocal, and in collaboration, scaling to trios, quartets, big swing bands, and symphonic productions, which I find incredibly rewarding. I’ve taken numerous singles to conventional radio both in the US and UK with more success at BBC in the UK. I enjoy playing live on radio. I release my music digitally and on vinyl, with vinyl being a much better medium for me and much more profitable, allowing me to continue. I’ve released three full-length albums and several singles under the Marlowe Shepherd brand. Through my original compositions I attempt to write songs that can sit along with the great standards I love. That’s a tall order but I do my best.
What ticks your boxes when considering a musician to work with and how have some of the collaborations come about?
I’ve shared the stage in numerous collaborations over the years with some world-class musicians. Most recently with pianist Simon Mulligan (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Detroit Symphony, English Symphony Orchestra, Warsaw Sinfonia, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Malaysian Philharmonic and more). We just released a full album of Hoagy Carmichael ballads, which also features a titan in the jazz world, bass player Gene Perla (Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Todd Rundgren, and more). Simon’s resume is extensive both on the classical and jazz sides and he is certainly one of the greatest pianists one will ever hear. I’ve also collaborated over the last seven years with double bass player Abraham Becker. (John Legend, Eric Essix, The Black Jacket Symphony, The Huntsville Symphony). He is an amazing arranger. We have scaled our work from our trio to our big swing orchestra, and a full symphonic production that premiered with The Alabama Symphony Orchestra in 2024. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform in support of some top artists over the years including Maceo Parker, Dr. John, The Dobbie Brothers, Pat Benatar, The Steve Miller Blues Band, and Simple Minds. Collaboration can be both frustrating and incredibly rewarding, sometimes both. I look at skills, professionalism, what I can afford, and personality as I will have to be spending a lot of time with these individuals. Most collaborations have come to me naturally through my solo live work in residencies. I find it much easier to attract collaboration when I’m playing out six nights a week.
You focus a lot on long-term residencies – why is this, and does this restrict you in any way musically?
I’ve been focused on long-term residencies in high-end lounges, restaurants, and hotels since 2015. I’ve been very blessed to have some long runs in residency primarily in Birmingham, AL over the last decade. I find that working the same spots weekly allows me to focus on my sets and, as in any occupation, repetition is vital in mastering one’s craft. I’ve played three thousand nights in solo residency, which has allowed me to see pretty much any scenario that could present itself. These long-term runs help you learn to ‘read a room’ and be ready for anything. Solo performance is limiting musically, but those limits have allowed me the confidence to know that I can always go it alone.
Favourite venue? I’ve had the opportunity to play some incredible venues over the years. I’d have to say that the Scotch of St. James and The 12 Bar Club, both in London, were vital in pushing me to keep going. I believe both these venues are closed at this point, but I had some of my most rewarding nights in these two spots.
Who are musicians you admire and what instruments do you enjoy listening to?
I would say that Chet Baker. Bill Evans, Herbie Mann, and Nick Drake are some of my favorites. I love their restraint and melodic genius. I’m primarily drawn to the guitar, piano, alto flute, and voice when listening. I love chill music as a listener.
Do you ever go to live performances yourself?
I used to see a lot of live performances through working at The Fillmore West and Warfield Theaters in San Francisco. I went out a lot in San Francisco seeing acts like The Charlie Hunter Trio weekly at The Elbow Room. I don’t see a lot of performances now as I don’t enjoy crowds and I’m generally a home body unless I’m performing myself.
Your music hails from the big band/swing era largely. What draws you to this style of song?
I love the big band swing era of music, more specifically from the late 50’s through the mid 60’s. I love these compositions and timeless arrangements. I’m an Indiana boy, so Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael’s compositions have always been close to home for me. I’m also drawn to George and Ira Gershwin’s standards. The energy and emotion of a big band is hard to match in my opinion and I’m drawn to the message of love in these catalogues. I try to write mostly from a point of view of love. The swing genre also fits my voice and is more age appropriate as I’ve gotten older.
Where would you like to see yourself musically in 5 or 10 years?
I’d like to be playing theatre’s worldwide, along with small intimate residency work in New York, The Hamptons, and the South of France in the next five years. This has been my goal for a while now. I’d also like to keep releasing my original work if the opportunities present themselves along with the economy of the whole thing allows it to remain sustainable.
What next for Marlowe Shepherd?
I’m currently promoting my three current releases along with booking solo and ensemble dates. I’m working on an eight-piece ensemble concert and hope to record a live performance for release later this year. But really to be in Paris performing is the dream over the next two years. I’m hoping that all my efforts lead me there in one way or another.
Anything else you want to share with readers?
I’m incredibly grateful for anyone who takes the time out of their busy lives to check out what I do. I believe strongly in a message of love and how small moments of joy can help us all navigate the world.
The Marlowe Shepherd Trio – Lies And Treasure
https://marloweshepherd.hearnow.com/leisure
