Chip Shelton

CHIP SHELTON With incredible talent and perseverance, Chip Shelton has earned an undisputed reputation as one of the most renowned flutists in the world of jazz. And in recent years he has established himself as a formidable saxophonist as well. What separates Shelton from most other bandleaders is his ability as a multi-instrumentalist. He utilizes the entire woodwind family. Saxes include Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and Sopranino, all by the Yanagasawa Company which Shelton endorses. Flutes include the tiny piccolo, Bb flute, concert flute in C, alto flute, bass flute,contra-bass flute, and the Wesley End-Blown flute (custom fitted so it can be played in a saxophone position), Recently Shelton has added clarinet and bass clarinet to his practice sessions. His varied arsenal sometmes includes percussion, piano, or the unique C-tenor, and C-soprano saxes..

“Some of these instruments are difficult to play, but I’m willing to work harder to produce these different sounds that people don’t ordinarily hear,” says Shelton. “Since many of these instruments aren’t seen regularly on stage they are real conversation pieces.” Shelton has an impressive nine (9) CD releases to date. The first was “A Labor Of Love” (Rise Up Records, 1995), followed by two (2) releases on Satellites Records, then five (5) on Summit Records, and in January, 2013 came "Limited Edition" on CCM Records. Shelton’s work is an expanding jazz tapestry that drives his musical concepts while expounding on his musicianship. “Since that first CD, my music is less classically based and my improvisational construction is more open,” says Shelton. “I’m coming more from the soul as opposed to strict structure. What I’m about now shines more.” Regardless of Shelton’s shining and varied repertoire of bossa, afro-cuban, reggae, funk or straight-ahead-jazz penned by such notables as John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, or Pharoah Sanders, he always leaves his fans and new listeners wanting more. For example, on his 2008 CD, “Imbued With Memories,” Shelton makes full use of his band PeaceTime to showcase his skills as a composer, contributing six of the 10 tracks as he makes an impressive appearance (his third) on saxophones. “My musical options opened up when I started playing sax again,” says Shelton. Shelton always knew he'd be involved in music but he graduated from Howard University’s School of Dentistry, as a back-up. While still a freshman at Howard in Washington, DC, Shelton was on a mission for a saxophone with a $35 budget..

Unfortunately, his sax budget was too small but the owner of Baltimore’s North Avenue Pawn Shop convinced him to buy a "starter" flute. In the beginning, Shelton played by ear, then in 1988-90, he studied with John Purcell privately, and at the Manhattan School of Music, as a Jazz Flute major. Following his departure from the School of Music, he studied classical technique with Julius Baker, “the Dean of American flutists.” He also studied musicianship with Dr. Helen Hobbs Jordan. Shelton received saxophone and flute mentorship at Jazzmobile, Inc. mainly from masters like Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, and Frank Foster, and with Bill Barron at The Muse, in Brooklyn, in an effort to learn everything he could about jazz. With confidence to test his chops in front of a tough New York City audience, Shelton hit the local club scene performing at the Cellar, Birdland, the Five Spot, and other clubs. “The music has a life of its own and I just follow the muse,” said Shelton. Ron Scott- Jazz Journalist, 7/30/08; edited 3/15/13

Awards

Chip Shelton's 6th CD "Peacetime" received a Top Jazz CD of 2006 Award from Soul- Patrol.com His CD #8, "Imbued With Memories" was Grammy-considered.

Gear

Yanagisawa Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and Sopranino Saxes, and Bb Flute d'Amore Chip Shelton endorses Yanagisawa products Fiberreed and Gonzalez Reeds Weismann Piccolo; Hogenhuis Contrabass & Subcontrabass Flutes Bertrem Eb Flute