Shawn learned on the bandstand from some of the finest and supportive musicians in the metropolis. She is the voice of bassist Corin Stiggall’s Quartet every Sunday and Monday evening at the delightful Soho bar and restaurant Barmarche, and has recently embarked on a journey as vocalist with the dynamic and revered Chris Byars Octet. She plays regularly with other swell musicians - pianist Ehud Asherie, alto sax marvel Dmitry Baevsky, and Richie Vitale on trumpet.

Her emphasis is placed in discovering and delivering the obscure, lost, and poetic songs not heard too often (or at all) in the world of jazz vocals.

She has been in music, culture, and art publications from all over the world inlcuding Art Forum and Smithsonian Magazine. Shawn was on NYC TV Channel 13 “City Arts” where she was said to be a ‘film noir waiting to happen,' on Italian RAI, and live on Sound Check with the Chris Byars Octet (hear the clip on the music page). She has toured up and down the East Coast, and gets to sing at some super jazz & music festivals. Shawn has performed at most of the major restaurants and venues like the Rainbow Room, Joe's Pub, the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and sings regularly at restaurants, bars, and every cozy lounge in Manhattan.

portraits by Tory Williams