comes from a large family of classical musicians and veritable prodigies (Younger brother Eric was the nation's only bassist admitted this year into Philly's prestigious Curtis Institute.). Shon spent his early childhood in Bloomington, Indiana.
While his father earned a Master's degree in Musical Performance, Shon barged into university rehearsal halls and master classes with the stealth only a 9 year-old can manage. The university abounded with artists, musicians, and writers, and this early experience partly explains Shon's defiance of musical limitations.
In an environment thoroughly steeped in Brahms and youth symphony schedules, Shon's family approached his obsession with jazz and rock with diplomatic, sometimes aloof bewilderment. Younger brother Marcus, the finest horn player to skip class at Manhattan School of Music to sleep off late night gigs around the city was the family's only other supplicant to the world of jazz. In conversation they smoothly traded off roles as apprentice and leige.
Marcus' death from childhood diabetes was tragic and unexpected. Marcus' memory and inspring rare musical gift remain with Shon as he continues their shared drive toward musical exploration and growth.
