Bio


				Shawn Taylor



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Shawn @ the Postcrypt Coffee House NY, NY

"Shawn Taylor is a poet of decay"
New Haven Advocate
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

"On Saturday night I caught singer/songwriter Shawn Taylor at Acoustic Café. He has a wonderfully damaged voice - a sort of Tom Waits "I gargle cinder blocks in the morning" growl, but less of a put-on than Waits' bark. His lyrics dabble in a wonderful gritty naturalism that's uncommon around here... check him out." - Dan Barry

Shawn has been developing his roots inspired sound in venues across New England for fifteen years. Playing 125+ shows a year as a solo artist and with his band Wandering Roots, he's built a reputation as a fierce fingerpicker & dynamic vocalist, with an elastic melodic sense, rich original songs & a broad repertoire including artists such as - Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Mississippi John Hurt, the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, Bob Marley, Tom Waites, Steve Earl, Keb' Mo' Lyle lovett & more...

Shawn's songs are rooted in Americana, blues, country, rock, folk & Reggae, & colored by the experiences of his own wandering roots. He's been an oysterman, carpenter, hitchhiker, homeowner, father & 'Thru-hiker' (completing the Appalachian Trail '96, Long Trail '97, & John Muir Trail '06, & has spent nearly a year of his life & 3000+ miles in the back-country). Shawn released his debut c.d. "Wandering Roots" in March 2008, featuring 8 originals, Bob Dylan's "I Want You" & 2 traditional songs. It airs regularly on WPKN 89.5 in Bridgeport or on the web at WPKN.org.

Shawn is relentlesly writing towards his next release & recording with his band Wandering roots. He plays several shows a week, both alone and in different combinations of the band.

Wandering Roots Quartet

S.T. - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals

Billy Bileca – Electirc & Upright Bass

Billy is a road seasoned veterain musician, having toured with Jeff Pitchel & Texas Flood and several other national acts. His command of the Upright is matched by his deeply tasteful musicality.

Jim McKeemn – Acoustic & Electric guitar

Jim’s guitar playing is a truly unique & firey blend of rock, jazz, bluegrass, reggae, blues, country and a strange unknown quotient that makes him Jim Mckeeman. He’s played with many bands over the last 35 years, including the Detonator’s, Mocha Jam, and the Mental Gypsies.

Nick Longo – Drums & Percussion

A solid and creative drummer, Nick has played a wide variety of music with a wide variety of bands including Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood and also Duke Robilard. His use of the djembe in place of a snare drum gives the Wandering Roots a uniquely deep grooving sound.

Wandering Roots Quartet

Eric Howell & Shawn Taylor @ CT Wine Festival '09

Eric Howell, Shawn Taylor, Nick Longo, John Lebel

Granite Highs

Mt. Whitney Summit '06 - at the conclusion of the John Muir Trail thru-hike

Wandering Roots