Shawn Myers Bio:
Fascinated with the rich history and tradition of drumming, Shawn Myers has found himself digging deep into the past while simultaneously cultivating sounds of the now. He currently plays in Leyla McCalla's Band actively touring across the world. He also has performed with many national and international luminaries, including Evan Christopher, Nduduzo Makhathini, Ed Petersen, Dave Liebman and Kenny Werner. He has studied drums and percussion with Billy Hart, Jamey Haddad, Damas “Fanfan” Louis, and in Haiti, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Spending many of his formative years in New Orleans, Shawn connected with "Fanfan," a Haitian Master Drummer and Hougan, who eventually took Shawn to Haiti to be initiated into the Vodou Drumming Tradition. Through performing with Leyla McCalla and in many other settings, Shawn hopes to uphold “Fanfan’s” legacy and spirit in the music and beyond. “The Silent Life,” Shawn’s debut album, was released in February of 2019. The album features a diverse cast and sound from New Orleans’ top musicians. Shawn has since then relocated to the Bay Area in California while maintaining an active touring schedule with Leyla McCalla’s many projects.
Learn more at shawnmyersmusic.com
Amelie Anna Bio:
Following her heart, Amelie moved all the way from Austria (Europe) to San Francisco. It is here that she rediscovered her first love - music. “For me, the purpose of making music with and for others is to connect with the people around me. My goal as a musician is to reaffirm our shared humanity and bring it all back to the communal aspect of music.”, says Amelie. With her exciting stage presence as multi instrumentalist, singing and playing at the same time, Amelie Anna creates inviting and energetic experiences.
Combining her deep passion and expertise in education with her work as a professional musician, Amelie empowers and supports developing female and femme-identifying artists as Assistant Director of the Roots, Jazz and American Music Program (RJAM) at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). Amelie earned her Master’s Degree in English, Psychology, Philosophy and Pedagogy from the University of Vienna.
Amelie’s mentors Carlos Caro (Afro-Cuban Percussion), Jake Nissly (Jazz Drums) and Carmen Bradford (Jazz Vocals) prepared her to synthesize several different styles into one compelling and engaging musical experience. As the first woman, Amelie graduated from the inaugural class of the RJAM program and studied with SFJAZZ Collective artists David Sanchez, Edward Simon and jazz greats like Julian Lage, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, or the late Randy Weston. Her studies have brought her to the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Jazz Education Network Conference (JEN) in New Orleans. Amelie has been awarded the Marineau Family Foundation Scholarship, the Vincent Constantine Scholarship and the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.
Featured as one of the first female emerging artists in Mario Guarneri’sJazz In The Neighborhood program, Amelie Anna has shared the stage with renowned artists including: David Flores, Eric Jekabson, John Wiitala, Frank Martin, George Brooks, Anne Sajdera and Akira Tana.