New Music Alliance Artist Spotlight on Avery Sharpe (April 2024)

https://www.averysharpe.com/

Avery Sharpe is one of his generations greatest and most imaginative bassist. His unique and versatile style, have captured the respect and attention of musicians and critics. His influence is mimicked and embodied by those who have followed him. The Great Jazz pianist , McCoy Tyner was once asked to describe Avery Sharpe in two words, his response was "Impeccable Rhythm". Avery continues to touch fans around the world with his distinct and enjoyable musical style.

Honesty. Clarity. Dignity. These are words that come to mind when you listen to the music of bassist composer Avery Sharpe. In an age of ephemeral pop stars and flavor-of-the-month trends, Sharpe is a reminder of the lasting value of steadfast dedication and personal integrity. As the title of one of his tunes asserts, “Always Expect the Best of Yourself.” Sharpe was born in Valdosta, Georgia and his first instrument was the piano. “I started playing when I was eight years old,” he recalls. “My mother is a piano player in the Church of God in Christ, and she gave lessons to every-body in the family. I’m the sixth of eight children, but it didn’t stick until it got to me.” He moved on to accordion and then switched to electric bass in high school.

Sharpe enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, where he studied economics and continued to play electric bass in gospel, funk, and rock groups. While at UMass, he met the jazz bassist Reggie Workman, who encouraged him to learn the acoustic bass. Sharpe adapted quickly to the big instrument, and within a few years he was performing with such notables as Archie Shepp and Art Blakey. In 1980, Sharpe auditioned with McCoy Tyner and won a spot in the pianist’s group. He worked with Tyner almost continuously for 20 years, playing hundreds of live gigs and appearing on more than 20 records.
Avery Sharpe has two songs that were inducted into the Essential Western New England Songbook, “Boston Baked Blues” and “Harlem and the War to End All Wars”.

The Essential Western New England Songbook is an anthology of many of the best songs ever written and recorded by artists who have lived in Western New England and whose careers have a significant connection to the area. The Songbook comprises original songs written by or originally recorded by artists who have spent a significant part of their lives in Western New England or who’ve formed their “breakthrough” band while in college in Western New England. A wide variety of music industry professionals from all over Western New England (including DJs, recording studio engineers, music writers, promoters, well-established musicians, and others) have contributed nominations to this ever-growing juried compilation of songs. All genres and any song over 1 year old was eligible. Acceptance was limited to one song per artist. It’s available to the public in a variety of platforms and through a number of website and social media links. These platforms include Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Interviewer: Selassie Kendrick, UMass Intern for The New Music Alliance
The New Music Alliance is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose mission is to assist the careers of musicians who write original music from the Western New England area & to promote the area as a destination for writing, recording, and live performances of original music.