Saxophonist
Shawn Ervin began his musical endeavors at an early age with piano
lessons. While the experience provided Shawn with a solid background
in the basics, it wasn't until seventh grade band that Shawn began
to show signs that music might be more than just a passing phase.
After originally signing up to play trombone, Shawn switched to
saxophone just before entering junior high. He picked up the tenor
sax and began playing almost immediately. After quickly learning
the basic fingerings, Shawn began playing every piece of music he
could find. Playing along with records, including everything from
Boots Randolph to the Carpenters, Shawn's natural ability on the
sax was apparent almost from the beginning.
Music
genes run deep in the Ervin family. Shawn's dad, Jerry, is a singer
who led the local church choir for many, many years. His mother,
Ruth, played the piano and organ and Shawn's brother Chris plays
the sax as well.
Shawn
cut his teeth in church music. He took his tenor sax to church
all the time, learning to transpose the choir book or to just
play by ear. Once his love of church music started, it never stopped.
Currently, Shawn is a mainstay in the Central Church of God orchestra
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With
honor to God for blessing him with the gift of music, Shawn also
notes a number of people who have made musical impacts on him.
The Baker family; Paul Sr., Paul Jr. and Jeff were part of the
first church band Shawn ever joined. As a sophomore in high school
Shawn met Baxter Potts. Potts, who played big band music back
in the 1940's, invited some friends to help him revive the music
of the era. Shawn was there for the first rehearsal of a band
that became known as "The Alumni of Note" and later
called "Nothin' Finer." The exposure to that music and
the encouragement from Potts was a milestone for Shawn.
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Others
that Shawn credits are his high school band director, Willie Beaver,
his choir and orchestra family at the Central Church of God in
Charlotte and the most important influence of all, his parents.
Those
early experiences helped prepare Shawn for the steady schedule
of performances that he is involved in today. Shawn has made five
mission trips abroad with Charlotte's Central Church Choir as
well as many other local outreach opportunities. He is often in
demand as a soloist for weddings, receptions and other social
events as well as for playing with various groups throughout the
Charlotte region. Shawn helped to form the saxophone quartet "Simply
Sax" in 1994. He also once performed the National Anthem
for the former NBA's Charlotte Hornets.
The
opportunity to record his first CD, The Gift (released
in 2004), was made possible by a friend, Michael Hill. Hill, an
extremely talented vocalist, offered his own recording opportunity
to Shawn and the outstanding results can be heard on Shawn's Christmas
CD.
The
experience of The Gift provided inspiration to do more
recording. Shawn's second CD, Praise Him was released in
October of 2007. The project was about two years in the making
and it was well worth the wait. You will find that many of the
songs on this CD are familiar favorites, with Shawn giving them
his own brand of contemporary interpretation.
Shawn
grew up in Mooresville, NC and now resides in Concord with his
wife Becky and their daughter Ashley. He is a graduate of NC State
University.
Click
HERE
to contact Shawn.
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