My Funny Valentine - Ben Sharkey

I haven't really posted anything in a while. I've been pretty busy with work and music outside of youtube. On October 11th I had a show at Cliff Bell's in Detroit, Michigan. The proceeds of the event went to the Suite Dreams project which benefits children of serious illness. I have the footage from the event but but it may take a little while to edit the video from the two cameras and the audio together.

Anyway this video "my funny valentine" was taken at my bassists house the night before a gig that we did at someone's house. It was a surprize birthday and the night was a lot of fun!

I have another gig coming up on November 21st at Crave Lounge in Dearborn, Michigan. Crave is celebrating their 5th year being open with live jazz, Dj Matt A to and guest DJ John Grammatis (Chicago) Percussions by Danny Shamoun. Should be a fun night! Lola and I are sharing two sets with a few duets, it will be an interesting fusion!

There a few more things on the horizon, I'm working on booking more gigs locally and looking to broaden the scope a bit by hopefully venturing off to chicago then who knows what's next... maybe New York? L.A. and Toronto? Then over seas? :,P I don't know how successful those visits will be without an album out, so I'm slowly putting things together for that aswell. I'm also working with a few producers on some special projects so be on the lookout for some stuff you may not expect from me. :,)

Stay tuned!!!

Peace and Love,

Ben

JAZZ IN THE CITY

It seems like I've been dreaming of something like this for a long time now.... on October 11Th, 2009. For the first time, I'll be singing with a "big band" at Cliff Bell's in Detroit, MI. I've loved the sound of a big band ever since I found a copy of Harry Connick Jr's "Red Light, Blue Light" album in my roommate's CD stack. That was my senior year in High School. I never really was into jazz that much before hearing Connick. Little did I know the impact that big band sound would have on me.

The closest I've ever been to singing with a big band is singing along to an instrumental. haha! I've had a few performances with smaller ensembles, but one horn doesn't compare to a horn section. I'll have my own horn section in this show and it will be really hard for me to wait until the October show.

This event is actually meant to be my 30Th birthday party, but I really don't care too much about that. I find that ever year, birthdays are less important as they were when I was a kid. you know.... when toys were first priority. So I guess that doing a show rather than having an actual party is probably a little out of the ordinary, but that's just my style.

What I care about is that I get to perform some great standards as well as my own originals at a really cool Jazz bar in town, that is rich with history (check out the website for more info) hopefully I'll bring the club more suburbanite patrons that wouldn't normally come to Cliff Bell's. A lot of my friends haven't even heard of the place nor are they enthusiastic jazz fans/listeners. If you know me, you know that I'm a huge advocate for the city of Detroit and want people to come downtown and experience the city and I want to try my best to support all of the little gems that are hidden and scattered throughout the urban landscape.

I'm also particularly happy that all the proceeds will be going to one of my favorite charities: Suite Dreams Project. It's a non profit that creates healthy, and happy environments for children with serious illnesses. I've donated my art, and have participated in events for this charity in the past and I'm happy for this opportunity to even do a little more for the cause.

The talented Lola Morales will be joining me at Cliff Bell's. We've performed a few times with each other before, and have even done a video together on Youtube. She's been teaching me a bit about the biz, and I've been counseling her about social networking. It's been a good trade off. lol! She has a really sultry and warm voice, I'm really excited to see her set at the beginning of the night, we will also be performing a duet later in the evening.

It's going to be a great night! If you happen to be in the area and would like to go, tickets are available on neptix.com. However, if you can't be there, I'll be sure to have it recorded and posted for everyone to see and hear.

-B

PhotographybyAvery.com

All right! well I have a few more followers so I guess that means that I should probably post another blog hmm?

Ok.. so if you're a friend of mine on facebook you might have seen some new pictures. Funny story actually....

One rainy day in February, I checked my youtube messages like I usually do. To be honest, answering mail can be fun and it can also be a bit overwhelming. I can't always respond to short emails that are chit chat like... "Do you IM?" (I wish I had the time but I don't) When I open my mail, I'm hoping for a break like any other artist... someone saying "We at Warner Bros. want to sign you" LOL! Hey, why can't I dream? Well I have gotten a few really cool emails for some good opportunities. One of which was from PhotographybyAverie.com. Avery found me while looking for Michael Buble videos on youtube. Turns out she was coming up to Detroit to hang out with a friend and also trade some tips with another photographer who is based in MI. So she emailed me asking if I'd like a photo shoot.

Youtube is a very interesting place which is made up by very interesting people. You never really know who you can trust and who has other motives. So I checked out her website and she seemed professional so I gave her a call. We confirmed everything and set the date.
I wasn't really sure if it was too good to be true or not. but I hoped for the best.

Things worked out! We shot at various locations throughout Detroit and shot a couple changes in my home. She was very fun and it was cool to hang out with another artist. I took her to some of my favorite spots around the city. If you know me, you'll know that I am an advocate for the city of Detroit and don't want anybody to come here and leave thinking that Detroit is as dark and gloomy as the roomers state. I think she left with a good impression.

The pictures: I haven't gotten all of them yet, but every time I get one I get all excited about it. She's actually really really good. I'd love to just post them all as I receive them. But I think I'm going to hold out a bit. I'd like to save them for some promotional stuff like maybe a FULL CD! ha ha! (That's another Blog)

That's it for now.. gotta get back to work. I hope everyone is well!

Much Love,

Ben