Church Street Jazz Series Shaun LaBelle & Stokley

At age five, Shaun LaBelle appeared in his first nationally televised commercial for the Lakeside Toys game called “Drop in the Bucket,” and he also taught himself to play drums. Shaun was faced with the decision to pursue a career in television as an actor or become a musician. This child prodigy has done all of the above. Shaun isn’t your typical jazz artist. He is the son of Larry LaBelle legendary TV producer on hit shows such as the Milton Berle Show, and campaigns with Betty Crocker, Land O’Lakes, and Hamm’s Beer.

Shaun learned from the best and it’s no accident where he is today. Shaun engulfs himself in the media entertainment business, from recording and producing a diversity of styles from Ray Charles to Everette Harp. To star in the entertainment-based show, What’s Up In Hollywood for KARE11, NBC-Minneapolis. Currently, he’s in production with American Idol fame Paula Abdul on her new album and nominated for commercial advertisements in production and voice-over work. Shaun is a multi-instrumentalist in bass, drums, keyboards, and guitar and is a multi-top ten writer with a number one hit in Europe with Warner Bros Pop R&B artist Shola Ama, winner of Brits Best Artist (UK’s version of the Grammy’s).

Shaun’s producing career has been filled with legendary groups such as David Pack (Ambrosia), multiple records with Everette Harp, (1992– Present) Jeff Kashiwa, and Steve Reid (Rippingtons.) Shaun has worked with Branford Marsalis and the group Pieces of a Dream. He founded Clive Davis’s group No Mercy which sold 5 million albums worldwide. Shaun performed bass on the Larger Than Life tour for Grammy award-winning recording artist Jody Watley. Shaun is integrated with three major publishing deals that include two from Warner Chappell and today’s world’s largest music publisher EMI.

Now this accomplished producer is getting back to his roots. The record came to be, as numerous artists felt it was time for Shaun to come out with his album. With a little help from his friends, Shaun called his music powerhouse entourage featuring Tom Saviano (Executive Producer of Desert Nights), and Everette Harp. Platinum Mint Condition superstar drummer Stokley Williams and guitarist David Barry. Adding legendary Grammy award-winning mixer Rob Chiarelli (All of Will Smith’s Albums and hits such as Gangsta’s Paradise) Desert Nights is a refreshing edge to smooth Jazz.