PRESS
Content includes:
• Biography (abridged)
(For complete Biography (unabridged), select BIOGRAPHY on the Menu bar.)
• More about Joel
• Joel Talks Music
• Musicians
• Performance Venues
• Testimonials
• Biography (abridged)
(For complete Biography (unabridged), select BIOGRAPHY on the Menu bar.)
• More about Joel
• Joel Talks Music
• Musicians
• Performance Venues
• Testimonials
BIOGRAPHY (abridged)
Born and raised in Toronto, Joel Sheridan graduated from George Brown College’s Musical Theatre program, (currently its internationally-recognized Theatre Arts program), and later studied at the Banff Centre, School of Fine Arts (Banff, Alberta), where he was awarded a scholarship for its Drama program, and worked with many of North America’s most distinguished theatre professionals and teachers. Several years later, he was offered a second, all-expenses-paid, full scholarship award to the Banff Centre’s Drama Master program. Due to scheduling conflicts, he had to turn it down in order to perform at the Stratford Festival (Stratford, Ontario).
Billed at the time as Joel Hartt, Sheridan continued to perform in numerous plays and local productions of Broadway musicals, and was cast in the title role of ‘Conrad Birdie’ in Bye Bye Birdie, the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Noel Coward musical revue Oh Coward!, and a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s ground-breaking Follies, in the principal role of ‘Benjamin Stone’, as well as landing the musical leading in Twelfth Night Blues (a musical version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at the Stratford Festival . Cast as 'Feste', a 1940s nightclub singer, Sheridan discovered his passion and affinity for singing jazz. The show received critical praise from the press, describing it as “a sassy, zany winner”, and Sheridan’s performance as “outstanding”.
After 15 years in the business, Joel took a sabbatical from the entertainment industry in 1994, to pursue other professional interests, and to train and work in a second career. A decade later, successfully established as a Career Counsellor, Sheridan acknowledged to himself how much he missed performing, and decided to return to singing, but to pursue a new musical direction, in Jazz.
To make the challenging transition from musical theatre performer to jazz vocalist, Sheridan trained with internationally-acclaimed jazz singers, musicians and teachers, including: pianist Barry Harris, saxophonist/singer Bob Mover, American jazz vocalists Kevin Mahogany and Sheila Jordan, Italy’s Roberta Gambarini, and Jon Hendricks (of the legendary jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross).
Since returning to music in 2005, Joel has performed with many of North America's top jazz musicians, captivating standing-room-only audiences at some of Canada's premier clubs, concert venues, and jazz festivals, including 6 consecutive seasons at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.
In 2017, Joel Sheridan’s much-anticipated debut CD will be released. It features four of Canada's top jazz musicians, including co-producer, musical director, arranger, and pianist Mark Kieswetter, bassist Jordan O’Connor, drummer Maxwell Roach, and guitar master Reg Schwager. The album showcases Joel’s inimitable voice, and his expansive and eclectic repertoire of classic pop and jazz standards, swing, ballads, bossas, urban blues, Broadway, and rarely-heard musical gems. Included are three beautifully-crafted originals written by Sheridan, showcasing his songwriting skills as both a composer and a lyricist.
Billed at the time as Joel Hartt, Sheridan continued to perform in numerous plays and local productions of Broadway musicals, and was cast in the title role of ‘Conrad Birdie’ in Bye Bye Birdie, the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Noel Coward musical revue Oh Coward!, and a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s ground-breaking Follies, in the principal role of ‘Benjamin Stone’, as well as landing the musical leading in Twelfth Night Blues (a musical version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at the Stratford Festival . Cast as 'Feste', a 1940s nightclub singer, Sheridan discovered his passion and affinity for singing jazz. The show received critical praise from the press, describing it as “a sassy, zany winner”, and Sheridan’s performance as “outstanding”.
After 15 years in the business, Joel took a sabbatical from the entertainment industry in 1994, to pursue other professional interests, and to train and work in a second career. A decade later, successfully established as a Career Counsellor, Sheridan acknowledged to himself how much he missed performing, and decided to return to singing, but to pursue a new musical direction, in Jazz.
To make the challenging transition from musical theatre performer to jazz vocalist, Sheridan trained with internationally-acclaimed jazz singers, musicians and teachers, including: pianist Barry Harris, saxophonist/singer Bob Mover, American jazz vocalists Kevin Mahogany and Sheila Jordan, Italy’s Roberta Gambarini, and Jon Hendricks (of the legendary jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross).
Since returning to music in 2005, Joel has performed with many of North America's top jazz musicians, captivating standing-room-only audiences at some of Canada's premier clubs, concert venues, and jazz festivals, including 6 consecutive seasons at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.
In 2017, Joel Sheridan’s much-anticipated debut CD will be released. It features four of Canada's top jazz musicians, including co-producer, musical director, arranger, and pianist Mark Kieswetter, bassist Jordan O’Connor, drummer Maxwell Roach, and guitar master Reg Schwager. The album showcases Joel’s inimitable voice, and his expansive and eclectic repertoire of classic pop and jazz standards, swing, ballads, bossas, urban blues, Broadway, and rarely-heard musical gems. Included are three beautifully-crafted originals written by Sheridan, showcasing his songwriting skills as both a composer and a lyricist.
MORE ABOUT JOEL
Joel Sheridan is a charismatic performer with a powerful, lush, and romantic voice. He evokes the best of the traditional jazz and jazz-influenced pop singers, but with his own authentic and inimitable voice. Through years of studying and playing with jazz legends, Sheridan has acquired solid time, good intonation, and deeply personal, lyric-driven phrasing.
Joel’s expansive repertoire includes timeless jazz and pop standards, swing, ballads, bossas, urban blues, adult pop, cabaret, R&B, and rarely-heard jazz and Broadway gems, as well as his own original compositions.
Recently, Sheridan had the opportunity to once again take on the role of Big Band singer, in two concerts with the eighteen-piece Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble, at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and at Toronto's renowned Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar, to a standing-room-only, packed-house audience.
Joel Sheridan is emerging as one of the most accomplished and entertaining vocal artists in the Toronto Jazz scene. Besides being a superlative singer, Sheridan is also a talented composer, lyricist, and writer. He has programmed all of his shows, as well as written and performed musical tributes to songwriters Harry Warren, Ira Gershwin, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as singing legends Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.
Joel’s expansive repertoire includes timeless jazz and pop standards, swing, ballads, bossas, urban blues, adult pop, cabaret, R&B, and rarely-heard jazz and Broadway gems, as well as his own original compositions.
Recently, Sheridan had the opportunity to once again take on the role of Big Band singer, in two concerts with the eighteen-piece Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble, at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and at Toronto's renowned Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar, to a standing-room-only, packed-house audience.
Joel Sheridan is emerging as one of the most accomplished and entertaining vocal artists in the Toronto Jazz scene. Besides being a superlative singer, Sheridan is also a talented composer, lyricist, and writer. He has programmed all of his shows, as well as written and performed musical tributes to songwriters Harry Warren, Ira Gershwin, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as singing legends Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.
JOEL TALKS MUSIC
"When I'm singing, is when I feel most alive!"
"It's such a privilege for me to interpret some of the greatest songs ever written, and to share them with our beautiful audiences, and to help keep these songs alive and relevant. The love emanating from the people attending our concerts is palpable. I feel truly blessed, and so grateful for their incredible support."
"Musical genre labels can be very limiting, and even misleading. Jazz has become such a broad and subjective musical category these days. Many singers market themselves as jazz singers who aren't remotely singing jazz. I don't like to limit myself to one musical category. I like to feel free to sing anything that resonates for me, and for my audiences. But if I had to label myself, I guess I'd describe myself as a jazz-influenced singer who works almost exclusively with jazz musicians."
"My favourite singers don't necessarily have the greatest voices in technical terms, but they all have great phrasing, and an original, honest sound. They don't sound like anybody else, and they don't try to. And they all "act" the song, as much as sing it. Although I greatly admire Frank Sinatra (whose singing embodied all of these qualities), Tony Bennett, and Mel Torme, my top 5 "desert island" singers would have to be Peggy Lee, Maxine Sullivan, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, and Nat King Cole. There's a warmth, a humour, and something very confiding and comforting in their singing. Those are the vocal qualities I'd need to hear, alone on my little island."
"I don't take a lot of liberties with the melody. I rarely scat, and never attempt to sound like a musical instrument. I let my musicians play that role. However, that being said, there is a lot of improvisation involved, as I never sing a song exactly the same way twice, and I always attempt to be "in the moment", which always subtly affects the phrasing. Unlike a musician, a singer works with words, as well as music. I don't re-conceptualize a song to the extent that the original tune is completely unrecognizable. I like to serve the song, and hopefully, the songwriters' intentions. That being said, I always try to develop my own individual musical and lyrical interpretation for every song I perform. After all, what's the point of just imitating or rehashing some other singer's version of a song?"
"There are certain tunes that my audiences want to hear, and I sing them, of course, but I also enjoy introducing them to a rarely-performed musical treasure, or a wonderful verse that nobody's heard, to a famous song. Or even surprise them sometimes with a contemporary pop tune given a jazz treatment. I enjoy mixing it up!"
"I like to sing songs that tell a story… The lyrics of a song are as important to me as the music, and I try to communicate what they mean. I'm not into just singing a bunch of pretty or clever notes. I guess that distinguishes me from a lot of jazz singers who focus mostly on a particular musical style or approach. Ultimately, I feel that my goal is to help people forget their problems for a while, to take them on an emotional journey, and to entertain them."
"It's such a privilege for me to interpret some of the greatest songs ever written, and to share them with our beautiful audiences, and to help keep these songs alive and relevant. The love emanating from the people attending our concerts is palpable. I feel truly blessed, and so grateful for their incredible support."
"Musical genre labels can be very limiting, and even misleading. Jazz has become such a broad and subjective musical category these days. Many singers market themselves as jazz singers who aren't remotely singing jazz. I don't like to limit myself to one musical category. I like to feel free to sing anything that resonates for me, and for my audiences. But if I had to label myself, I guess I'd describe myself as a jazz-influenced singer who works almost exclusively with jazz musicians."
"My favourite singers don't necessarily have the greatest voices in technical terms, but they all have great phrasing, and an original, honest sound. They don't sound like anybody else, and they don't try to. And they all "act" the song, as much as sing it. Although I greatly admire Frank Sinatra (whose singing embodied all of these qualities), Tony Bennett, and Mel Torme, my top 5 "desert island" singers would have to be Peggy Lee, Maxine Sullivan, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, and Nat King Cole. There's a warmth, a humour, and something very confiding and comforting in their singing. Those are the vocal qualities I'd need to hear, alone on my little island."
"I don't take a lot of liberties with the melody. I rarely scat, and never attempt to sound like a musical instrument. I let my musicians play that role. However, that being said, there is a lot of improvisation involved, as I never sing a song exactly the same way twice, and I always attempt to be "in the moment", which always subtly affects the phrasing. Unlike a musician, a singer works with words, as well as music. I don't re-conceptualize a song to the extent that the original tune is completely unrecognizable. I like to serve the song, and hopefully, the songwriters' intentions. That being said, I always try to develop my own individual musical and lyrical interpretation for every song I perform. After all, what's the point of just imitating or rehashing some other singer's version of a song?"
"There are certain tunes that my audiences want to hear, and I sing them, of course, but I also enjoy introducing them to a rarely-performed musical treasure, or a wonderful verse that nobody's heard, to a famous song. Or even surprise them sometimes with a contemporary pop tune given a jazz treatment. I enjoy mixing it up!"
"I like to sing songs that tell a story… The lyrics of a song are as important to me as the music, and I try to communicate what they mean. I'm not into just singing a bunch of pretty or clever notes. I guess that distinguishes me from a lot of jazz singers who focus mostly on a particular musical style or approach. Ultimately, I feel that my goal is to help people forget their problems for a while, to take them on an emotional journey, and to entertain them."
MUSICIANS
Sheridan has performed and recorded with some of Canada's top jazz musicians, including (in alphabetical order):
Norman Amadio (piano), Kevin Barrett (guitar), Gary Benson (guitar), Robi Botos (piano), Jane Bunnett (sax, flute), Dave Caldwell (saxophone, flute), Ernesto Cervini (drums), Mike Daley (guitar), Kevin Dempsey (drums), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Eisenman (piano), Ewen Farncombe (piano), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Dave Field (bass), Rosemary Galloway (bass), June Garber (vocals), The George Lake Big Band, Peter Hill (piano), Nathan Hiltz (guitar), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Graham Howes (piano), Mark Kieswetter (piano), Kevin Laliberte (guitar; Sultans of String), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Danny McErlain (piano), Scott Metcalfe (piano), The Mississauga Big Band and Jazz Ensemble, Jordan O’Connor (bass), Kieran Overs (bass), Brigham Phillips (piano), Tony Quarrington (guitar), Rainbow Gardens Orchestra, Dave Restivo (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), Artie Roth (bass), Reg Schwager (guitar), Bernie Senensky (piano), Neil Swainson (bass), Don Thompson (piano, bass, vibes), Don Vickery (drums), Lee Wallace (guitar), Steve Wallace (bass), Richard Whiteman (piano), and Dave Young (bass).
Norman Amadio (piano), Kevin Barrett (guitar), Gary Benson (guitar), Robi Botos (piano), Jane Bunnett (sax, flute), Dave Caldwell (saxophone, flute), Ernesto Cervini (drums), Mike Daley (guitar), Kevin Dempsey (drums), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Eisenman (piano), Ewen Farncombe (piano), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Dave Field (bass), Rosemary Galloway (bass), June Garber (vocals), The George Lake Big Band, Peter Hill (piano), Nathan Hiltz (guitar), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Graham Howes (piano), Mark Kieswetter (piano), Kevin Laliberte (guitar; Sultans of String), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Danny McErlain (piano), Scott Metcalfe (piano), The Mississauga Big Band and Jazz Ensemble, Jordan O’Connor (bass), Kieran Overs (bass), Brigham Phillips (piano), Tony Quarrington (guitar), Rainbow Gardens Orchestra, Dave Restivo (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), Artie Roth (bass), Reg Schwager (guitar), Bernie Senensky (piano), Neil Swainson (bass), Don Thompson (piano, bass, vibes), Don Vickery (drums), Lee Wallace (guitar), Steve Wallace (bass), Richard Whiteman (piano), and Dave Young (bass).
PERFORMANCE VENUES
Joel has headlined at some of the most prestigious clubs and Jazz Music Festivals in Canada. Venues include:
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Six consecutive seasons: 2009 - 2014 inclusive); The Old Mill Inn; standing-room-only performances at The Home Smith Bar (the Old Mill Inn) for 'Fridays To Sing About!' (Jazz Vocalists’ Concert Series); Standing-room-only performance at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar (with the Mississauga Big Band); The Mississauga Living Arts Centre (with the Mississauga Big Band [April , 2016]); Hugh’s Room (Guest Artist for June Garber’s Farewell Concert, featuring the George Lake Big Band); 120 Diner; The Reservoir Lounge; Musideum; Plein Air Summer Concert Series; The Local Gest; The Hyatt Regency Hotel; Chalkers Pub; The Paintbox Bistro; The Gladstone Hotel - The Melody Bar; Dominion On Queen (Guest Artist); The Green Door Cabaret (Lower Ossington Theatre); Jazz at Oscar’s (University of Toronto’s Jazz Concert Series at Hart House); The Trane Studio; Mezzetta’s Jazz Concert Series; The Flying Beaver Pubaret; du Maurier Toronto Jazz Festival (Guest Artist); Toronto General Hospital's Sunday Concert Series; Jazz at EDO; Habits Gastropub; The Cherry Street Restaurant; The Tranzac Club; The Local; Stratford Summer Music (Concert Series for the Stratford Festival); and Gate 403 (over half a decade of monthly headlining engagements)
Sheridan has also performed at numerous private and corporate functions, industrials, and charitable events.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Six consecutive seasons: 2009 - 2014 inclusive); The Old Mill Inn; standing-room-only performances at The Home Smith Bar (the Old Mill Inn) for 'Fridays To Sing About!' (Jazz Vocalists’ Concert Series); Standing-room-only performance at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar (with the Mississauga Big Band); The Mississauga Living Arts Centre (with the Mississauga Big Band [April , 2016]); Hugh’s Room (Guest Artist for June Garber’s Farewell Concert, featuring the George Lake Big Band); 120 Diner; The Reservoir Lounge; Musideum; Plein Air Summer Concert Series; The Local Gest; The Hyatt Regency Hotel; Chalkers Pub; The Paintbox Bistro; The Gladstone Hotel - The Melody Bar; Dominion On Queen (Guest Artist); The Green Door Cabaret (Lower Ossington Theatre); Jazz at Oscar’s (University of Toronto’s Jazz Concert Series at Hart House); The Trane Studio; Mezzetta’s Jazz Concert Series; The Flying Beaver Pubaret; du Maurier Toronto Jazz Festival (Guest Artist); Toronto General Hospital's Sunday Concert Series; Jazz at EDO; Habits Gastropub; The Cherry Street Restaurant; The Tranzac Club; The Local; Stratford Summer Music (Concert Series for the Stratford Festival); and Gate 403 (over half a decade of monthly headlining engagements)
Sheridan has also performed at numerous private and corporate functions, industrials, and charitable events.
TESTIMONIALS
DIRECT QUOTES FROM MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS, CRITICS, AND MUSIC JOURNALISTS:
"One of Toronto's top jazz vocalists" – Snapd Publications (September, 2017)
“Extraordinary” – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
"Lit up the (stage)" – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
“Blew away the crowd” – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
“Joel Sheridan and his band lit up the (stage) with a medley of awesome jazz tunes. The extraordinary vocalist, with Ewen Farncombe on piano and Ross MacIntyre on bass, blew away the crowd by putting new twists on both classic and rarely-heard songs.” – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
“Outstanding!” – Pauline Durichen, The Beacon Herald (Newspaper review of Joel’s performance [billed as Joel Hartt] in the musical theatre production of Twelfth Night Blues, at Stratford Summer Music, the concert series of the Stratford Festival)
“There is no doubt about it; Joel Sheridan has his own unique way with a song… Joel instantly struck up a warm rapport with his audience. He knows what they like… Look for this charming entertainer around town…” – Dave Milbourne, Toronto Jazz Magazine
“Joel has a beautiful, rich, deep tone, and a true appreciation of what made the classic singers of the jazz age so compelling and timeless… His carefully selected repertoire reflects sincere emotion, intellect and humour.” – Beverly Taft (jazz singer)
“His presentation of standards – some not so standard - is always warm, sometimes humorous, and thoroughly professional.” – Tony Quarrington (jazz guitarist)
“Joel’s rich baritone is steeped with drama and nuance, grounded in his theatrical background while embracing the vocal subtleties of the great jazz singers.” – Alan Kingstone (jazz guitarist)
“A natural communicator, enchanting his audience with an infectious down-to-earth charm and an elegant, intimate vocal style.” – Denise Leslie (singer)
"Joel shares his dramatic skills, love of rare and treasured jazz compositions, and a passion for storytelling through music in his performances. His generous spirit, humour, and sensitivity bring out the best musical experiences for the audience. We enjoyed his performance at Plein Air Concerts, and hope he'll come back again soon." - Susan Brown (founder/director - AGC/Plein Air Concerts)
“Exquisite choice of tunes, wonderful phrasing, and a deep sense of what these songs are about.” – Danny McErlain (jazz pianist)
“Joel Sheridan sings from the heart.” – Peggy Mahon (singer/actress/director)
“A wonderful performer!” – Luba Goy (comic actress - Royal Canadian Air Farce)
DIRECT QUOTES FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS:
“A golden voice.” – S.N.
“Joel's voice is powerful and silky smooth. His charm is seductive. He holds the audience in the palm of his hand.” – Sylvie F.
“Most singers sing the song. Joel Sheridan IS the song!” – Susan B.
“A voice of sweetness and longing, always pure and sincere… A wonderful performer at the peak of his powers.” – Della G.
“Captivating… a most accomplished jazz performer.” – Kristina K.
“Joel Sheridan keeps the Great American Songbook alive, and elevates other songs - too seldom heard - to a status as timeless.” – Gregory R.
“When I listen to him, I really get caught up in his uncanny ability to bring meaning to a song…. A consummate professional, and an engaging and innovative performer.” – Anthony S.
“Joel Sheridan is a wonderful singer, and a fabulous entertainer! When I see him perform, his rich, warm voice makes me feel happy to be alive!” – Janice K.
