Andy Sheppard
b. 20 January 1957, Bristol, Avon, England. Sheppard attempted to learn saxophone at school, but was told he would have to take up clarinet first. In disgust he bought a guitar instead, but began on tenor saxophone after hearing John Coltrane. He also played the flute and sang solo in the choir while at school. He later discovered that he had perfect pitch, and only learned to read music in his late '20s. He took up the soprano under the influences of Steve Lacy and alcohol, having sold his tenor to a friend when drunk. Before moving to London Sheppard played with Sphere (not to be confused with the US band of the same name). He also played in Klaunstance, then spent two years in Paris working with Laurent Cugny's big band, Lumiere, and Urban Sax. Returning to the UK he played with Paul Dunmall and Keith Tippett. In early 1987 Sheppard formed his own small band, recording two acclaimed albums and undertaking several successful tours. He also became a regular performer in bands led by Carla Bley, Gil Evans and George Russell. In 1990 he set up the Soft On The Inside big band, which produced an album and a video, and he also recorded an acclaimed set of duo improvisations with Tippett. Since early 1991 Sheppard has run an electric small group, In Co-Motion (featuring the fine trumpeter Claude Deppa), alongside the big band, and he recently composed a piece for ice-dancers Torville and Dean. He also played in an occasional trio with Bley and Steve Swallow (producer on most of his albums). Sheppard is one of the most assured and versatile (and least flashy) saxophonists on the scene today.