BIO

A professional musician since the age of seventeen, Ottawa’s Shane Simpson is a relative newcomer to the roots music arena, having spent 15 years pursuing his craft as a fingerstyle jazz guitarist. The impulsive purchase of a steel string guitar drew Shane back to his songwriting roots where he incorporates elements of blues, jazz, flamenco and bluegrass to his music.

Shane released his second CD “More Electric” in the fall of 2002. His fingerstyle finesse, charging rhythms and melodic single note soloing have critics marveling at his fretboard acrobatics:

“Virtuoso guitar playing helps deliver the well-crafted songs … the tunes are melodic with a drive that promises you will listen to the end” - CHOPPER MCKINNON, host CANADIAN SPACES

"Outstanding compilation ... as strong as any singer-songwriter album you'll hear this year." - ALLAN WIGNEY, THE OTTAWA SUN

Since the release of “More Electric” Shane has performed to enthusiastic audiences at festivals and clubs across Canada. Highlights include performances at the Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest, the inaugural Toronto Star Bluesfest - where he also was asked to host the “Roots” and “Not The Opera” stages, Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Mariposa Folk Festival. He’s had the opportunity to perform with Juno award winning blues guitarists Sue Foley and Jack deKeyzer, and shared the bill on numerous occasions with two-time US Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Don Ross as part of the “Six Strings and Counting” concert series.

In March 2003 the Shane Simpson Band was the subject of a feature television broadcast on Roger’s Television “Front Row Centre,” and his song "Nowhere Near" was one of 16 winning songs chosen from across the country as part of Canadian Musician Magazine's national Great Canadian Talent Search.

Shane’s music has been compared to artists like Lyle Lovett and Blue Rodeo. The song “Not Talking At All” off his first CD “Sketches” caught the attention of Blue Rodeo staff, and was ultimately chosen by members of Blue Rodeo to be included in a Best of the New Music Network compilation CD.