creativeexpression
Stu Shelton Speaks
of All That Jazz
by lisa wentworth
A
s the architect of his own des-
tiny, Stu Shelton placed himself
on the path to musical mastery
early in life. Aware that chance favored
the prudent, at age 16, Shelton played works in order to be
the trumpet in a professional band until part of an improvi-
fate scored him a new seat on the piano sational group. He
bench. remarks, “I appreci-
“I was self-taught on the piano in ate the inventiveness,
the genres of both jazz and classical originality and creativ-
music,” says Shelton, “and one night ity required to be a jazz musician.”
when the piano player failed to show, Shelton’s double majors in music
“Last year, we explored a series that
the band director said, ‘Stu, play the education and business administra-
was limited to showcasing New
piano.’ It was the beginning of my ca- tion at Plymouth State College in New
Thought songwriters,” advises Shelton.
reer as a professional pianist.” Hampshire provided the perfect arena
“This year, we are returning to our pre-
After college, Shelton continued for developing his talents. Today, these
vious agenda, which provided a greater
as a professional jazz pianist, traveling talents help him manage the numerous
diversity of musical genres.”
extensively in the New England area. facets of his career: serving as music
On January 14, Shelton will per-
In 1989, he migrated to Fort Myers and director for Unity of Naples Church;
form with seven other musicians in his
later, to Cape Coral, before moving to playing in jazz combos at local ven-
group, named Stu Shelton & Friends, in
Naples, where he settled in to relent- ues such as A Taste of Italy, Carla’s,
a jazz concert fundraiser for Unity. On
lessly pursue his passion in paradise. The Bay House, The Café off 5th and
February 11, Unity’s chief soloist and
“I love jazz, because it is a very Brio, in The Waterside Shops; teach-
Choir Director, Rebecca Richardson,
give-and-take musical language, where ing piano; and operating a recording
will be featured. On March 18, the
a spontaneous conversation of ideas studio.
popular Barbary Coast Dixieland Band
takes place between instruments,” ex- “I renovated three rooms in my
from Minnesota will entertain.
plains Shelton. “A jazz musician is not home for recording space,” comments
only a performer, but also a composer, Shelton. “Here, I record everything
For information on jazz performances
who improvises on the spot.” from radio commercials, musical
and the recording studio, email Stuart-
He notes that playing jazz requires Christmas cards and New Age medita-
Shelton@comcast.net or visit Shelton-
tremendous discipline, but with it tions to solo and group albums.”
Studios.com. For information on the
comes an equal amount of freedom. A As Unity’s music director, Shelton
Unity of Naples Church concert series,
musician has to study and understand has been planning the organization’s
visit
NaplesUnity.org or call 239-775-
the complexity of music and how it seasonal concert series since 2000.
3009.
“I love jazz, because it is a very give-and-take musical language, where a
spontaneous conversation of ideas takes place between instruments,” explains
Stu Shelton. “A jazz musician is not only a performer, but also a composer, who
improvises on the spot.”
December 2008 1
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