14 Facts About Dave Shepherd

David Joseph Shepherd was an English jazz clarinettist and bandleader.

Dave Shepherd was born in Walthamstow, London, England, to Cecilia, a machinist, and Joseph Dave Shepherd, a semi-professional piano player whose other job was working for the local gas company.

Dave Shepherd began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16 in 1945.

Dave Shepherd studied under a clarinettist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg after World War II.

Dave Shepherd played with Billie Holiday and Gerry Mulligan on their tours of Britain.

Dave Shepherd played in New York City in 1956 with Ted Kotick, then returned to England to play with Jazz Today Unit and with the Jazz at the Philharmonic.

Dave Shepherd played with Mary Lou Williams several times in the 1950s.

Dave Shepherd's career was centred in the UK, and he worked regularly with trombone player Roy Williams, Len Skeat and many more.

Dave Shepherd was a frequent guest with his line up called The Dave Shepherd Quintet on BBC Radio 1's Sounds of Jazz, introduced by the presenter Peter Clayton during the mid 1970s and broadcast on Sunday evenings.

Dave Shepherd based his style on Benny Goodman and was praised for his accuracy and "unfailing swing and a quality of musical elegance".

Dave Shepherd performed with Peter Boizot's Pizza Express All Stars Band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club from 1980 to 1999.

Dave Shepherd led several of his own bands, and has done extensive work producing music for film and television.

Dave Shepherd continued to solo and make guest appearances until shortly before his death on 15 December 2016, in the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital, Hampshire.

Dave Shepherd has been described by fellow jazz musician Digby Fairweather as "Britain's greatest swing clarinettist since 1948".