Sheryl Bailey has been rising to the top of the jazz guitar world ever since she burst onto the national scene by taking third place in the 1996 Thelonious Monk Guitar Competition. Following her top three finish in the competition, and graduating from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Bailey has released five albums as a bandleader, a DVD and two instructional books, all while maintaining a seemingly constant touring schedule and holding down an associate professorship at her alma mater in Boston.
After recording four small group albums, the veteran picker chose to go in a different direction for her 2009 album A New Promise (MCG Jazz), by working with the Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra. The result is a hard-swinging, expertly arranged and entertaining recording that showcases the guitarist's versatility as she seamlessly steps out of the familiar confines of her working trio and into the realm of the large ensemble.
AAJ Contributor Matthew Warnock spoke with Bailey about the decision for a change, how it affected the recording of New Promise and keeping it fresh in the studio.
Check out Sheryl Bailey: Homecoming at AAJ today!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
