About

Jeremy Shaw is a performer, composer and recording artist based in Charlotte, NC. This multi-instrumentalist, known for his guitar work, also plays keyboard, bass, mandolin, and banjo. He draws from a variety of styles and traditions to create his own unique sound. His guitar playing ranges from subtle acoustic fingerstyle to blistering modern jazz improvisations. He has worked professionally with numerous acts and musicians throughout the north and southeast.

Jeremy was born in Utica, New York. His parents were avid musicians who had everything from Bob Dylan to the Mahavishnu Orchestra in their record collection. On the communal farm where Jeremy and his family lived outside of Constableville, NY, jam sessions often carried into the wee hours of the morning. They played "old-time", bluegrass, and folk music. Jeremy's mother sang and played guitar and banjo. His dad played violin and mandolin. They traveled as a family to numerous festivals and concerts.

By the time Jeremy started school, his family had moved back to Trenton Falls, NY, where his mother grew up. Here, he started piano and french horn lessons with his aunt, Margaret Roberts, an accomplished musician and graduate of the Eastman School of Music. On special occasions and holidays, the extended family performed under her direction.

Jeremy split his teen years between New York and North Carolina where his dad had moved in the late 70's. Already a fan of southern rock and bluegrass, he enjoyed experiencing the culture from where it came. Ultimately, the thrill of hearing Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen rip on the guitar inspired twelve year old Jeremy to begin playing while living in Chapel Hill.

Jeremy moved from north to south several times, getting a unique mix of southern and northern culture. When up north, he would often play with childhood friends, Randy Clark and Joshua Cannon. When down south, he would play with buddy Porter McClister(currently with Tanya Tucker). Bands of numerous configurations formed playing everything from bluegrass to heavy metal.

After high school Jeremy moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music where he studied composition and performance. The thriving musical environment was a tremendous learning experience. During this time, he performed and recorded Constructing Scenes from Memory (1991) with progressive rock band Raymaker.

Jeremy remained in Boston for several more years forming Neptune Ensemble with his roomates at "Neptune" - the funky old house, just outside of Boston, where an ever changing parade of musicians, artists and bohemians communed. Now defunct jam band Shockra passed the torch after calling "Neptune" home for several years. The house had a long history of being a "band house". It was often the crash pad for members of Phish, G Love & Special Sauce, Moon Boot Lover, Soulive, Schleigho and others when they played in Boston. This led to frequent all night basement jams of epic proportions. Neptune Ensemble solidified into a trio, consisting of bassist Jon Robinson, drummer Marc Gratama, and Jeremy on guitar and vocals. They performed throughout the northeast releasing Live at the Wharf (1998) and Neptune Ensemble (1999).

Jeremy now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina where he has performed and recorded with Ozone Quartet - Live at Local 506 (2003), Scott McCloud Group/Hipshack - On The Gig (2003), and Ponder Banks and Shaw - PBS (2004). Information about all of Jeremy's current projects can be found at www.jeremyshaw.com.