Described by some members of the mass media as, “a young jazz star on the rise”, award winning saxophonist and Tierra Records recording artist Shenole Latimer has gained recognition for his playing style and engaging stage presence. Latimer's passionate approach to playing the saxophone shows influences drawn from the likes of Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis, and Dexter Gordon. All of this, while still exhibiting the gift of being able to effectively communicate with his audiences through a voice and style that is uniquely his own.

Shenole Latimer began playing the saxophone at the age of 9. Growing up in a household that was “economically challenged”, as Shenole fondly puts it, meant that his mother was unable to afford private lessons for him. However, eager to learn about the saxophone, Shenole absorbed all that he could from his public school experiences and from transcribing some of the music he was exposed to when watching the televised jazz performances that were often aired on Public Broadcasting Stations. The young Shenole Latimer was rewarded for his efforts by receiving the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz Improvisation, which was rewarded only to the top young jazz performers in the state of New York.

As a college undergraduate student, Latimer attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook, intent on becoming a marine biologist. However, fate had other intensions for Shenole. A chance encounter with the esteemed jazz bassist Todd Coolman, who was the university’s Director of Jazz Studies at the time, would guide Latimer’s path toward becoming a member of the Stony Brook University Jazz Big Band. His fondness for jazz rekindled, Shenole worked hard under the tutelage of Coolman and would ultimately become not only the lead alto saxophonist for the big band, but also the face and ambassador of Stony Brook University’s jazz program.

Shenole Latimer's ever advancing list of career achievements include winning several listener's choice awards including the 1999 Long Island Voice Best Horn Player Award, numerous radio interviews, several television appearances, his endorsement with Vandoren (a highly respected company within the music industry), impressive concert ticket sales that include out selling world renowned performers such as Chuck Mangione, and his 2006 signing to a recording contract with the New York City / Dortmund, Germany based record label known as Tierra Records. That signing led to the release of "Front and Center", Shenole Latimer's debut album.  Speaking of recordings, Latimer has become a sought after musician for other artists and their recording dates, and has appeared on CDs ranging from R&B, Dance, Pop, Neo-Soul, Jazz, and even Rock.

Because of Latimer’s almost insatiable desire to excel, and his relative youth, it is clear that his greatest achievements are still ahead of him. Moreover, Shenole's charisma and uncanny ability to connect with his audiences serve as the intoxicant that will continue to compel jazz aficionados and music lovers alike to follow his career for years to come.

www.shenolelatimer.com