Dave Shepherd

Shepherd was born in Walthamstow, east London, to Cecilia (nee Sadgrove), a machinist, and Joseph Shepherd, a semi-professional piano player whose other job was working for the local gas company. [1]

He began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16 in 1945. He studied under a clarinetist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg after World War II. Upon his return to England he played with Reg Rigden (1950), Joe Daniels and his 'Hotshots' (1951–53), and Freddy Randall (1954–55). He played with Billie Holiday and Gerry Mulligan on their tours of Britain. He played in New York City in 1956 with Ted Kotick, then returned to England to play with Jazz Today Unit (1956–57) and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic (1957). He also played with Mary Lou Williams several times in the 1950s.[2]

In the 1960s and '70s he played with Randall again and with Teddy Wilson, as well as at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and in South Africa in 1975. During the late 60s and early 70s Shepherd was heard a lot more on BBC radio with his quartet used on Radio 2's Jimmy Young programme as well as 'Round Midnight', 'Breakfast Special' and 'Music While you work'.

Shepherd's career was centred in the U.K., and he worked regularly with trombone player Roy Williams, Len Skeat and many more. He was a frequent guest with his line up called 'The Dave Shepherd Quintet' on BBC Radio 1's Sounds of Jazz introduced by the presenter Peter Clayton during the mid 1970s and broadcast on Sunday evenings. Shepherd based his style on Benny Goodman and was praised for his accuracy and 'unfailing swing and a quality of musical elegance'.[3]

He performed with Peter Boizot's 'Pizza Express All Stars' Band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club from 1980 to 1999. He led several of his own bands, and has done extensive work producing music for film and television. Shepherd continued to solo and make guest appearances until shortly before his death on 15 December 2016 in the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital in Hampshire. Shepherd has been described by fellow jazz musician Digby Fairweather as 'Britain's greatest swing clarinettist since 1948.'[4]

Shepherd was married twice. At first to the jazz vocalist Jo Searle, with whom he had a daughter Rochelle, which ended in divorce. In 1966, aged 37, he married his second wife, Mary Evans. Both Evans and Rochelle survive him.

Dave Shepherd Discography www.discogs.com

• Mark Gilbert, "Dave Shepherd". Grove Jazz online.