Come out this coming Thursday, January 29th, to hear Shan play with the band from his latest ECMA nominated recording Below Sea Level.  Shan will be solidly backed up by Larry Bjornson on bass, David Burton on drums and Paul Simons on keyboard. It will be a great night so don’t miss one of the last chances to hear Shan at this favoured jazz venue before the ECMAs.

Shan’s latest release Below Sea Level (April 2008) has been nominated for a Music Nova Scotia Jazz Album of the Year award. Shan’s last recording The Jazz Beat Sessions won in this category so we are keeping our fingers crossed that the industry will acknowedge the high-quality of this artist’s work once again. Below Sea Level is 100% Canadian content; Canadian musicians, all original material written by Shan Arsenault and recorded locally in Halifax. If you haven’t heard the album yet it is available locally at Madrigal and Buckley’s and online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and at all Tower records stores. Check it out!!!

Also - hear Shan play this coming Monday night, October 13th at the Economy Shoe Shop, one of Halifax’s best places to hear live music with a great environment as well.

If you missed Shan’s concert in the TD Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival this year and the CBC airing of it, check it out here on Concerts on Demand: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080714shana

Also ~ Shan’s latest release Below Sea Level is now being internationally promoted. Radio stations are giving great feedback. Here’s what Peter Merritt station manager of PBS in Melbourne, Australia has to say: “(Below Sea Level)… is  quite an exceptional  album full of sophisticated  luscious arrangements…takes the listener on exciting musical excursions fusing cool elements throughout the cd…A wonderful cd, Jazz as Jazz should be,  one that impressed us all. We are the city’s leading independent music station and already the feedback has been wonderful.  In my office when listening to this cd we all agreed that it is refreshing and honest with wonderful instrumentation and compositions. I have placed Below Sea Level with the #1 jazz show on our grid “Sunday Sessions” with Desilee Dixon Sundays 1-3 pm. Desi will provide Below Sea Level with the best exposure in this city. On behalf of all of us, I want to thank you for your great music.”

Shan is playing Monday, July 14th at 12 noon in the Festival tent. (Corner of Spring Garden and Queen) CBC will be recording it for future broadcasts. Make sure to come down and cheer him on. It’s free and a great lunch hour break. See you there!

Where: Marigold Cultural Centre, Truro
When: Sunday, June 22nd from 2:00-4:00
What: A workshop for guitarists wishing to explore creative playing

Cost: $25.00 including handouts
Please email bookings@shanarsenault.com to register.
Numbers are limited so please register early to avoid
disappointment.
$25.00 cash at the door - email bookings@shanarsenault.com to reserve a spot

When you email Shan to register please include your playing experience. You will need to bring a guitar to the workshop. More details to follow once Shan gets an idea of the players attending. Please feel free to email bookings@shanarsenault.com if you have any questions.

We have just confirmed the date for Shan’s gig in the Festival tent. He will be playing with the quartet that he recorded “Below Sea Level” with; Dave Burton on drums, Larry Bjornson on bass and Paul Simons on keyboard, on JULY 14th at 12:00 noon. So come down on your lunch break and hear Shan’s newest tunes. Shan’s new CD will also be available for sale in the tent throughout the festival.

Last evening, April 19th, at 8:00 in the Commons Room, Holiday Inn, Shan officially launched his latest project; “Below Sea Level.” The evening was full of friends, family and new faces that were there to support Shan’s latest effort. We were extremely pleased to have a capacity crowd.

If you missed a chance to purchase a CD or would like to tell a friend about it, please visit “Madrigal” in Halifax or purchase online @ CD Baby.com or Amazon.com. CDs are also available at Buckley’s where Shan teaches.

Thanks to everyone who came out and showed their support for instrumental jazz. Please check back often for updates or to post a comment on Shan’s blog. Shan is also available for corporate gigs and private parties.

Hello friends and fans!

Shan’s second CD is about to be released. The official launch date is Saturday, April 19th, 2008 and we are celebrating with a CD release party at the Commons Room, Holiday Inn, Robie Street, Halifax. Show starts at 8. Shan hopes to see lots of familiar faces as well as some new ones there. It will be a wonderful evening of music with 10 of Shan’s original compositions for jazz guitar trio and quartet.

Please check back often for updates. Shan will be touring around Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces over the summer as well as giving clinics.