Shenole Latimer

Through the course of his career, Shenole has had the privilege of sharing the stage with noted Jazz musicians such as Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman, Ron Affif, E.J. Strickland, Derek Gardner, Rufus Reid, Dan Faulk, Vincent Herring, Willard Dyson, Dion Parson, Ray Anderson and Gerry Neiwood, and has even opened for Cecil Brooks III, Renee Rosnes, Christian McBride, Larry Coryell, and J.D. Allen.

Shenole Latimer is a Long Island, New York native and began playing the saxophone at the age of 9. Growing up in a household that was “economically challenged”, as Shenole fondly puts it, meant that his mother was unable to afford private lessons for him. However, eager to learn about the saxophone, Shenole absorbed all that he could from his public school experiences and from transcribing some of the music he was exposed to when watching the televised jazz performances that were often aired on Public Broadcasting Stations. The young Shenole Latimer was rewarded for his efforts by receiving the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz Improvisation, which was rewarded only to the top young jazz performers in the state of New York.

As a college undergraduate student, Latimer attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook, intent on becoming a marine biologist. However, fate had other intensions for Shenole. A chance encounter with the esteemed jazz bassist Todd Coolman, who was the university’s Director of Jazz Studies at the time, would guide Latimer’s path toward becoming a member of the Stony Brook University Jazz Big Band. His fondness for jazz rekindled, Shenole worked hard under the tutelage of Coolman and would ultimately become not only the lead alto saxophonist for the big band, but also the face and ambassador of Stony Brook University’s jazz program. Latimer’s picture graced the front cover of the university’s 1998-1999 music brochure, which was circulated to over 500,000 homes in the state of New York. Additionally, Latimer was often called on by Todd Coolman to represent the university by performing in an array of special functions, concerts, and by even giving educational lectures and clinics to middle school and high school students within the surrounding school districts.

Another chance meeting, one night at a New York City jazz club formerly known as Sweet Basil, would bring Shenole Latimer face to face with the man who would become the single greatest contributor to his development as a saxophonist and jazz musician  tenor saxophone sensation Dan Faulk. Shenole, immediately impressed with Faulk as both a musician and a person, would find himself studying with the tenor saxophonist for several years. Latimer still holds his mentor in the highest regard and has even had Dan Faulk perform with him as a special guest in some of his concerts.

Shenole Latimer's ever advancing list of career achievements include numerous radio interviews, several television appearances, his endorsement with Vandoren (a highly respected company within the music industry), impressive concert ticket sales that include out selling world renowned performers such as Chuck Mangione, and his 2006 signing to a recording contract with the New York City / Dortmund, Germany based record label known as Tierra Records. That signing led to the release of "Front and Center", Shenole Latimer's debut album.

Because of Latimer’s almost insatiable desire to excel, and his relative youth, it is clear that his greatest achievements are still ahead of him.

The German record label known as Tierra Records has unleashed saxophonist Shenole Latimer onto an army of jazz listeners starved for an artist that truly has their own musical identity, and is not just the latest example of the seemingly endless stream of Post-Bop players that have hit the scene since the invasion of the “young lions” of the early 1990’s. Latimer’s signature tone and unique ideas are but a part of the equation to his individuality. One must also take into consideration his rare gift of being able to identify, and meaningfully communicate, with his fans and audience both on and off of the stage.

“Front and Center”, Shenole Latimer’s debut release as both a band leader and as a Tierra Records recording artist, is a brilliant showcase of this artist’s talent. “I wanted to treat this first effort as an introduction to who I am,” stated Latimer during a recent interview for the State University of New York at Stony Brook’s radio station WUSB 90.1FM. “It was important to me that I immediately establish that I enjoy playing various forms of jazz, and to show that I am a versatile performer.” One look at the album itself shows that Latimer is out to make a statement. The album’s title and cover artwork clearly symbolizes Shenole Latimer’s desire to place himself and his music squarely within the field of vision of the jazz listeners that he is trying to reach. But, at 6’3” who could miss him anyway?

Latimer’s pioneering flame burns bright notonly as an artist, but as a businessman. He has literally ordered us to avoid brick and mortar record stores. Shenole firmly believes in looking towards the future, as do we at Tierra Records, and so we will be focusing all sales and distribution efforts on the rapidly growing market place provided by the internet. “Front and Center” may be purchased online at CDBaby.com, or downloaded from Apple’s iTunes store (just place Shenole latimer’s name in the artist search). Additionally, you can learn more about Shenole Latimer, as well as purchase his album and other merchandise, by visiting his official website at www.shenolelatimer.com, or his “Myspace” page at www.myspace.com/shenolelatimer.

If you enjoy music that is edgy, has a certain sophistication, and is laced with boundless expression and heartfelt performances, then it is abundantly clear that Shenole Latimer’s album “Front and Center” is for you.